It is often reported that having a pet can help with feelings of depression, so this week, I wanted to look more into how cats can help with mental health.
HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute) has done surveys of pet owners on various topics related to their relationship with their pets. While this is not specific to cats, the survey revealed that 76% reported that their own health had improved because of owning a pet!
How do cats help with anxiety and depression?
USServiceAnimals.org says that cats can pick up on your body language and voice cues and will change their behavior accordingly. It is unclear whether they get stressed out by your mood and want to help, or if they know that you might be more open to snuggles when feeling down, but either way their presence can help you feel less alone. Rover.com adds that having a cat can be a reliable companion for you, and that the physical connection of hugging them, petting them, or just letting them nap in your lap can be comforting.
Cats can also help with mental health by helping to provide a routine. ESARegistration.org is a registry of emotional support animals and they report that having a routine is a helpful way to manage depression and cats love routine! They need to be fed and their litter box needs to be cleaned, so that helps to build some structure in to your day. They also need exercise and playtime can be fun for you both!
And, the benefits of cat ownership aren't just limited to alleviating loneliness. USServiceAnimalss.org lists lowered blood pressure and heart rate as well as lower stress levels as benefits of owning a cat! According to goodnet,org, those lower stress levels can actually help reduce the risk of various heart diseases by 30 percent!
Cats are cute and small, which makes them perfect for cuddling, and if your cat purrs while you are cuddling them, they can also pass along the benefits of purring! Rover.com cites a study by the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that says the purring of a cat has the same vibrational range as therapies used to treat pain, swelling and other injuries. A cat purring might be trying to soothe themselves and in turn can soothe you!
Interacting with your cat can also help release chemicals that improve your mood. Rover.com mentions a HABRI study that suggest cats can help activate oxytocin in the body which is also known as the "love hormone"!
Even just watching cat vidoes online can help with mental health! Going back to Rover.com, they reference a survey of 7,000 people done by Jessica Gall Myrick where she asked how people felt after watching cat videos and they reported feeling more positive and energetic!
So, if you are suffering from depression, should you get a cat? A cat can be a part of a strategy to help combat depression, but cats only have so much magic, so make sure you are also taking care of you! And, UsServiceAnimals.org adds one more important warning - only adopt a cat if you feel like you are up to taking care of them! If you feel like you won't be able to provide the care and attention your cat needs, then it's not time to adopt one!
Cover photo by Remy Gieling on Unsplash
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