CATS

Living with a cat benefits health (and mood): science says so

If you are a cat lover, you will be happy to know that living with a four-legged feline can bring numerous benefits to your health and mood.

This is proven by scientific studies, which have analyzed the benefits that cats can bring to people who share their lives with them. You'll discover how cats can help reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, protect you from allergies, reveal a lot about your personality, and even save your life in emergency situations.

Get ready to discover the scientific side of the cat world and rediscover a love for these wonderful animals. (Source: focus)

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Living with a cat benefits health (and mood): science says so
If you are a cat lover, you will be happy to know that living with a four-legged feline can bring numerous benefits to your health and mood. This is proven by scientific studies, which have analyzed the benefits that cats can bring to people who share their lives with them. You'll discover how cats can help reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, protect you from allergies, reveal a lot about your personality, and even save your life in emergency situations. Get ready to discover the scientific side of the cat world and rediscover a love for these wonderful animals. (Source: focus)
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Heart Health
Caring for a cat can have a calming effect and reduce stress levels, which in the long run can protect heart health. A study showed that those who had a cat for 10 years had a 30 percent lower risk of developing heart disease than those who did not have pets. This could be because caring for a cat is less demanding than caring for a dog, but also because cat owners tend to be calmer and less stressed.
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Allergy protection
Spending a lot of time with a cat or dog from an early age can protect children from allergies not only to animal hair, but also to other substances such as mites, ragweed and grasses.
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Sleep better
According to Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine in Arizona, many cat owners report sleeping better with their cat than sleeping with their partner. One study found that 41 percent of people living with pets reported sleeping better because of the pet, while only 20 percent have more restless sleeps. In addition, cats seem to provide more placid sleeps: those who have them near their pillow say they feel more relaxed. (Source: mayoclinicproceedings)
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Discovering your personality
Cats can help you get to know yourself better. Psychological studies suggest that people who have cats are more introverted, sensitive, nonconformist and trustworthy than people who have dogs. In addition, people who choose cats for companionship are generally fewer in number than those who prefer dogs.
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Finding a partner
Having a pet such as a cat can help find a partner, especially for men. According to surveys, women are more attracted to men who have pets. Women regard pets as children, while men regard them more as friends. However, a pet like a cat requires long-term commitment and responsibility, so you have to take care of it for a lifetime.
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The cat is more "sustainable"
According to a 2009 study commissioned by NewScientist at Stockholm Environment Institute at York, UK, raising a large dog for 10-14 years results in more harmful emissions than owning a SUV. In contrast, a cat has the same environmental footprint as a utility car, due to its habit of eating more fish and less grain. Owning a cat therefore, can be considered an environmentally friendly choice.
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You could be more educated
According to research conducted by the University of Bristol in 2010, cat owners are more likely to have a college degree. A subsequent study conducted in Wisconsin also showed that cat owners are more nonconformist, open, sensitive and intelligent than dog owners. However, this correlation could be due to the fact that more educated people are more likely to have intellectual jobs that require them to stay at work for a long time, making it easier to have a cat, which requires less time and attention than a dog.
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Its presence is fulfilling
According to an Austrian study, the presence of a cat in the home can be just as rewarding as that of a partner, especially for women. Cats are able to remember the affectionate gestures they receive and pay back later. In addition, the way they meow and purr has been evolved to resemble a baby's cry, a stimulus that humans cannot resist. Contrary to stereotype, cats can be affectionate and loyal companions.
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It could save your life
Cats can save people's lives, as evidenced by the many examples of cats who have sought help for their owners or rescued humans from dangerous situations, such as domestic gas leaks or seizure situations. In addition, cats have received recognition for their heroic acts, such as Simon, a cat from Britain's Royal Navy who freed a ship from a rat invasion. Another example is the cats who survived the 2011 earthquake in Japan and participated in demonstrations against nuclear facilities.
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