Did you know that, in addition to all the other reasons we enjoy cats, it has been shown that they have healing abilities?
There are several stories of cat owners who were hurt or ill who were made to feel better, and occasionally even healed, by their cat’s purr. These intriguing tales may seem like the storyline of your favorite Disney movie or the ramblings of a besotted owner, but research into the cat’s mysterious healing abilities has supported them over the years.
Do cats really have healing powers?
Researchers concur. Unbelievably, these adorable bundles of fur are likely saving us a ton on medical expenses.
4,435 participants were monitored for 13 years in one study by researchers. Even after controlling for other risk variables including blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and body mass index, those who had previously had cats had a lower heart attack mortality rate than those who had never owned cats.
According to the researchers, this held true for people even if they did not currently own cats, which shows that cats function more like preventative medication than a kind of continuous illness therapy.
According to the study, pet owners:
- need fewer visits to their doctor each year
- have fewer sleeping difficulties
- are less likely to need heart condition medicine
The healing powers of cats
1. Cats are good for mental health and well-being
Cat owners do have greater psychological health than non-owners, according to one Australian research. On surveys, they report feeling happier, more self-assured, and less anxious, as well as being able to focus, sleep, and deal with challenges in their life more effectively.
Getting a cat might benefit your kids as well: In a poll of more than 2,200 young Scots between the ages of 11 and 15, youngsters who had close relationships with their cats reported higher levels of happiness. When people are more connected, they feel healthier, more alert, and less depressed and lonely. They also enjoy their alone time, leisure activities, and school time more.
2. They make us happy
These amiable tiny friends may make our lives utterly joyful every single day. Cats have the power to make us feel good all over, from the tiny things they do that make us smile to the ways they melt our hearts.
Your brain will produce necessary amounts of serotonin when you are joyful, which will improve your mood in general. Cats are ideal for helping those who are single, widower, or live alone to consistently feel less alone. The kind, caring part of ourselves that isn’t scared to express affection and understands what genuine friendship is may also come out when we own a cat.
3. Purring heals
In addition to the established reduction in heart attacks and dyspnea caused by cat ownership, a cat’s purr has restorative properties. Cats have the ability to produce vibrations in the 20–140 Hz range through the force of their purr, and both cats and people have been shown to benefit therapeutically from these vibrations. The frequencies emitted by a cat’s purr have the power to improve and even repair bone health.
Interesting fact: According to an ancient vet proverb, “if you put a cat in a room with a lot of broken bones, the bones will mend.” It’s hardly surprising that cats have long been considered to be natural healers given their magical abilities. Even soft tissue injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be helped by the strong purring vibrations that cats emit.
4. Cats help with heart diseases
You can actually reduce your risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems by up to 30% by keeping a cat as a pet.
It’s likely that having a feline buddy is calming and comforting, which eventually adds to preserving heart health, even if this may simply be because “cat people” are inherently calmer and better equipped to manage stress.
5. Cats can relieve you of stress
It has been demonstrated that having a cat as a friend can lessen stress levels, which in turn lower blood pressure. The constant, rhythmic sounds of a cat’s purr have reportedly helped patients with migraines relieve their agony and get rid of their severe headaches, in addition to lowering tension.
You may relax by putting your mind at peace and emptying your thoughts by just petting your cat’s velvety fur. Additionally, your kitty buddy will thank you for helping them develop a stronger relationship with you. If you also experience sadness or anxiety, cats can help you feel better in addition to relieving your tension.
6. They may prevent allergies
One of the most prevalent allergies, cat hair, is something you frequently hear about. A child, however, is more likely to build an immune system that can fight not only cat allergies but other types of allergens as well if they are exposed to cats throughout their first few years of life.
This, according to the researchers, may be because Ruminococcus and Oscillospira, two populations of gut bacteria that seem to have protective effects, were more prevalent in the guts of newborns exposed to such animals.
7. Cats prolong life
Seniors who keep cats have been shown to live longer than those who do not, according to research. When you are feeling unwell, these natural “doctors” can tell with a sixth sense, and they will gravitate toward you for comfort and assistance.
Additionally, having a cat is thought to strengthen your immune system. As long as they have anything to do with it, you can thank these wonderful animals for keeping you happy and healthier in addition to merely owning a cat for no other reason. Cats are miraculously capable of mending themselves, and as a token of gratitude for your kindness, they are willing to assist their devoted owner in return.