Are you a cat person? Do you share your home with a cat? In what ways do you feel your cat helps or hinders your mental health? Is kitty’s presence soothing and calming? What do you think is the connection between mental health and cats?
A great deal of research has taken place concerning the bond humans share with cats. Would it surprise you to learn that our mental health intertwines in intricate ways when we live with a pet, and in particular with a cat?
Some Benefits A Cat Might Provide
As an example, an Australian study showed that cat owners have better psychological health than people without pets. Pet owners claim to feel more happy and confident and less nervous. They sleep better, can focus better, and face problems in their lives better.
A cat provides excellent nonjudgmental companionship for those of us who might need emtional support due to life stresses. Moreover, you may gain a sense of being needed. For single women, owning a cat may lower chances of depression, especially after the loss of a loved one.
Cat love doesn’t just help older people, but can prove beneficial for children. If a child interacts regularly with a cat, the more the two bond, the more apt the child becomes to feel fit, energetic, and attentive. They prove less sad and lonely; in fact, interacting with the cat makes alone time much more enjoyable.
Purring Away the Stress: How Cats Can Influence Mental Health
Hold a cat on your lap and pet it as it purrs. That magical purr can provide many health benefits. It actually can reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This lowering of stress leads to feelings of calm and happiness.
Blood pressure and heart rate can be decreased, as the purr helps take the mind off negative thoughts. Moreover, studies show that the purr can actually help heal a broken bone. I received a 3-day boost of purr therapy when I had my knee replaced. When I came home, my cat, Carlos, stayed under the covers next to my leg as I lay in bed. He purred and comforted, and gave me the benefits of his care.
Some Reasons A Cat Might Help
It has been shown that cat owners are more socially sensitive and like and trust other people more than people who are not pet owners. A possible reason: A cat’s presence releases oxytocin in the human brain, the chemical known for strengthening social bonds and fostering feelings of love and trust.
By interacting with your cat, you can also promote the release of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with pleasure and tranquility.
A cat can provide a sense of purpose and responsibility, as the furry one is dependent on you for food and home. The simple routine of feeding or grooming your cat can offer stability and that important feeling of being needed. In return, the cat offers unconditional love and companionship, qualities often lacking in our lives.
Interesting Studies Confirming Benefits From A Cat
Researchers visited 120 married couples in their homes. They hooked these people to heart and blood pressure monitors. Then the couples had to perform some daunting tasks. One such task involved subtracting 3 repeatedly from a 4-digit number. Another task involved holding the hand in ice water (below 40 degrees F.) for two minutes.
Both before and after these tasks, the cat owners had a lower resting heart rate and blood pressure. The non-pet owners’ responses came back as less positive.
Other studies produced significant results. A 2017 study (Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences) reported that cat owners showed significantly lower feelings of depression.
Kitty can certainly combat feelings of loneliness. They give us a sense of being needed. A 2006 study from an internet survey concluded that single women with a pet proved less likely to exhibit symptoms of depression.
In a 2008 study, 44% of cat owners obtained some sense of safety from their cats. Also, they can prove beneficial among children with autism .
Cautious Cuddles: When and How Cats Might Not Be Beneficial for Mental Health
Though the relationship between cats and mental health shows positive results for the most part, for some these benefits may not turn out to be so great.
For example, perhaps the responsibilities of pet ownership might add to a person’s stress. Or, perhaps the cat and its owner don’t have a compatible relationship. I have always had good luck with my cat companions, but there are moments when the cat can cause stress.
My Mocha, for example, has a very strong idea of what behavior he should or should not be allowed. If he wants out and I don’t want to let him out, he will grab my leg and bite it. So far, he hasn’t penetrated skin, but it’s an annoying habit that he still indulges in from time to time.
He’s a very beautiful cat, and has many loving ways, so I accept this difficulty and work to break him of the habit. He improves slowly. For some people this behavior could provide good reason to find him a new home.
Other Factors To Consider
Also, if a persn has an allergy, he may not be able to tolerate a cat. No matter how much you want to have a cat companion, if you end up with itchy eyes and a runny nose, such a relationship may just not be possible.
Some people have a specific phobia of cats, knwon as ailurophobia. This phobia consists of a persistent and excessive fear of cats. In such a case, a person’s mental health can become compromised instead of becoming comforted by a cat’s presence.
Adopting Mindfulness with Paws: Key Considerations Before Getting a Cat for Mental Health
If you plan to bring a cat into your life for mental health support, think about the decision carefully. Your decision doesn’t just include the enjoyment of the company of a furry companion, but you also make a commitment that will impact both your life and the well-being of the cat.
Evaluate carefully if you are ready for the responsibilities that accompany cat ownership, such as vet visits, daily care, and the financial cost of pet maintenance.
It’s also important to choose the right cat. Just as with people, every cat has its own unique personality. It could prove very helpful to spend time with a variety of cats to determine what animal you would find suitable.
Is the cat calm and sociable? What about age? Kittens require more energy and time, while an adult cat might already have a set temperament. What breed would you prefer? Learn the differences before choosing.
Just remember: While a cat may prove an important asset to improving your health challenges, that kitty is just one part of a multifaceted approach to managing your mental health. It becomes crucial that you continue to manage your mental health proactively, including any necessary therapy, medication, or other forms of self-care.
References I used for this post: psychcentral.com/health/your-cat-depression-anxiety#summary greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_science_backed_benefits_of_being_a_cat_lover