A Cat Owner’s Guide to “Feline” Groovy

BY ALLISON HUNTER-FREDERICK

Numerous studies have shown that cats are beneficial to our lives. Here are several ways that cats can improve our physiological health.

GENERAL

Having a cat can improve our overall well-being. A researcher in England followed 24 people who had just gotten a cat. Participants completed surveys within the first week of bringing their cat home. Over the next 10 months, participants reported that they had fewer colds, headaches, and back pain.

HEART

Owning a cat can reduce the risk of a heart attack. A 20-year study of 4,500 Americans found that cat owners were 40 percent less likely to die of a heart attack than non-cat owners. The study accounted for other risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol.

CARDIOVASCULAR

Cat owners are more likely to have overall better cardiovascular reactivity. In a 10-month study from England of 240 married couples, pet owners had a lower resting heart rate and blood pressure than those without pets before and while performing tasks.

SLEEP

Pets can help us have a better night’s sleep. A study from the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine revealed that 41 percent of cat owners reported sleeping better with their pet, compared to 20 percent who said that the practice led to disturbances. One reason might be that your cat’s rhythmic breathing helps soothe you and enables you to fall asleep quicker.

Cats are known to purr within a range of 20 to 140Hz, a frequency range which has been proven to be medically therapeutic.

Cats are beneficial to our health in other ways besides our physiological health.

Allison Hunter-Frederick is a Cat Behavior Consultant & Trainer. Learn more at allisonhelpscats.com.