THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF DOWN SYNDROME CAT. There are many reasons to own a cat, including the fact that they can bring you great happiness and peace of mind.
Cats are beneficial to both your physical and mental health, which has lead to some amazing research findings. They’re also great for emotional support and companionability during difficult times. They even make us feel safer! If you’re looking for a new addition, we welcome all cats into our clinic! Here is Catonsville Cat Clinic’s list of top psychological benefits of owning a cat.
IMPROVE GENERAL WELLBEING
According to a study, cat owners are likely to have better psychological health than people without cats. Taking care of your cat can give you a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction because you know that your pet is happy too.
LOWER STRESS AND ANXIETY
Cuddling and playing with your cat can release all the right chemicals in the brain. Cats are also known to help lower blood pressure, providing anxiolytic benefits for their owners. And since they’re generally low maintenance animals, they’re an ideal pet for those who can’t deal with the stress and rigors of having a fussy pet.
LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE
Cats can offer a variety of benefits, one of which is lowering your cardiovascular risks. One study showed that those who have cats have less chances of having a heart attack or stroke than those who don’t.
GREAT COMPANIONSHIP, REDUCED LONELINESS
According to an Austrian study, owning a cat is almost equivalent to having a romantic partner. Cats often initiate contact and engage in eye contact with their owners, which creates a level of connection similar to human interactions. Having a pet that relies on you can make people feel good deep down inside – we create purpose when we make others healthy and have balance in life.
IMPROVE SLEEP QUALITY
According to a study, some cat owners found that sleeping with their cats provides comfort and improves sleep quality. If you’re someone who likes having a pet that sleeps on the bed with you, there are plenty of people out there looking for companionship while they sleep.
SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM MENTAL ILLNESS
There are several pieces of evidence that show that pets can help people with mental health conditions, including PTSD and depression. Pets, such as cats, help their owners manage their emotions, distract them from mental illness symptoms, and provide a sense of purpose–all while giving their owners the unconditional love they need.
PURR CAN BE HEALING
The way a cat purrs is really quite calming. It can help reduce tension, lower stress levels, and fight infections. In addition to that, purring has the power to help heal and regrow bones, muscles, heart function and more.
THEY HELP HUMANS COPE BETTER
Caring for an animal can help people of all ages. Cars make wonderful therapy animals, especially those that experience loss. Cats in particular are great for people who need a gentle and understanding presence during tough times. Cats provide mild therapy effects and act as supportive companions on extremely difficult days.
PREVENT ALLERGIES
Cats are naturally purifying, so they’re a great way for kids to establish a healthy immune system. Early exposure to cats can be helpful in building excellent lung function and circulation that is effective against other allergens as well. A 2002 study also found that kids under the age of one have less risk of allergies as opposed to those who haven’t been exposed to a cat at all.
INCREASE SELF ESTEEM
Cats have social support effects on people. People may associate them with getting the support they need to deal with their struggles better and increase their self-esteem by having a cat. A study showed that 97 undergrads had a higher self-esteem when they owned a pet compared to those without.
HELP BUILD HEALTH HABITS
Pet owners have a reason to take care of themselves and their pets with cats. They create a routine that is consistent, no matter the time of year or mood. In turn, they help protect cats and build healthy habits that carry over into life as whole.
IMPROVE RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Owning a pet can help people with their relationships. People who own pets find it less stressful to socialize with others because they have something to relate to. Plus, owning a pet supports the human-animal bond by bonding people with other humans in an untraditional sense.
IMPROVE RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Cats are a unique and often-focused animal that has a lot of benefits. They can sense dangers, warn people of them, and they’re different than other animals but they often provide the psychological benefits that come along with owning cats. Whether you know it or not, your cat could be helping you to improve your mental health.
