Pets are an endless source of joy and entertainment for their owners. No one can dispute that. But, does living with a cat or a dog also make you healthier? Are pet owners better off physically or mentally than their non-pet-owning counterparts? Well, Ministry of Cat has dived deep into the scientific literature to bring you an answer.
Psychological well-being
Our pets are great companions. Their presence alone can help combat feelings of loneliness and depression. Many studies have shown a positive relationship between owning a cat or a dog and an enhanced sense of well-being.
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For example, in a 2015 study by Straede and Gates, 92 cat owners, and 70 non-pet owners were surveyed to determine the relationship between psychological health and pet ownership. Researchers found that cat owners had better psychological health than non-pet subjects, including lower levels of psychiatric disturbance.
Though there is a growing research interest in the impact of human-animal interactions on human health in people with a higher risk of social isolation -- such as older people, people with HIV or people with mental or physical problems -- little is still known about the influence pets have on the general population.
In a study from 2017 conducted on over 2,200 Scottish adolescents, researchers set out to find if attachment to pets played a role in the quality of life of young people. They found that, “In cat and dog owners, attachment to these pets predicted higher levels of quality of life.”
But cat owners don’t need science to tell them that cats are good for their mental health: It is a pretty obvious thing. Coming back home to your cats every day after a hard day in the office, falling asleep to the soft rumble of their purrs, or having them sit on your lap while you sip on your morning coffee are without a doubt positive and grounding experiences.
Cats may seem distant and aloof, but their presence in the house makes all the difference. In his book Heart Sense for Women, cardiologist Stephen Sinatra mentions the various benefits pets can have on our health. One of the most important is alleviating loneliness.
Long-time resident of Ministry of Cat Arthur keeps you company while you work. MINISTRY OF CAT
Sinatra walks the walk. In an article for howstuffworks.com he says in his clinic patients are greeted by his three dogs -- two chows and a Norwegian elkhound. While the pooches cheer up the patients, Sinatra confesses that the reason he brings his furry family members to work is to help him feel energised and calm while treating the patients.
"I'll sit and pet my dog. Make loving contact with her eyes, and I'll be renewed to go to the next patient. I practice much better medicine when the dogs are in the office," he says.
Lower stress levels
Life is stressful. There is work, mortgages, complicated relationships, financial problems … But amid all the chaos, you can always rely on your pet to help melt the stress and anxiety away.
Cats: Nature’s relaxation experts. MINISTRY OF CAT
Petting a cat or a dog has a soothing effect on both animal and person. For once, petting promotes the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to emotional bonding in the pet and in the person.
“The simple act of petting an animal is known to cause a person’s blood pressure to drop,” says Alan Beck, ScD, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, in an article for howstuffworks.com.
The many benefits of human-animal interactions are why animal therapy is gaining traction around the world as a way of reducing anxiety and stress levels in people. In the US, for example, stressed students are bringing pets to campus to cope during exam season.
Patricia Pendry, from Washington State University, conducted a study on 300 US undergrads. She found that sessions with dogs brought to campus by professional handlers made stressed students at risk of dropping out “feel relaxed and accepted.” The animals helped the students concentrate and remember information better, she found.
The positive effects animals have on people is the reason people have ‘emotional support animals’ or why we see more and more pet cafes pop us in cities around the world. Phnom Penh, for example, is now home to more than a few pet cafes, including several cat cafes.
A healthier heart
Turns out there is solid evidence that pets are also good for the heart. A 2009 study linked a decreased risk for death due to myocardial infarction and all cardiovascular diseases (including stroke) with cat ownership.
Science says cats are good for your heart. MINISTRY OF CAT
The same study claims that: “Acquisition of cats as domestic pets may represent a novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals.”
An earlier study by Friedmann and Thomas, linked social support and pet ownership (particularly of dogs) to increased coronary artery disease survival. The study said that: “Dog owners are significantly less likely to die within one year than those who did not own dogs”
Purring: a unique cat superpower
As if cats weren’t already awesome enough, they have the amazing ability to emit a soft, calming rumbling sound. I have always loved purrs. Lying in bed with one of my cats purring near my ear and a good book in my hand -- that’s my idea of heaven.
Ministry of Cat’s Johnny purrs before his mid-morning nap. MINISTRY OF CAT
Turns out purrs are not just pleasant to the ear; they have healing powers too. When a cat purrs within a frequency range of 20-140 Hertz, nearby humans may be therapeutically benefiting from these vibrations. The benefits are multifold. Most notably, they help heal bones, muscle, tendons and ligaments injuries.
In a BBC article, Gary Weitzman, a veterinarian and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, drove this point home.
“Purrs at a frequency of 25-100Hz correspond with established healing frequencies in therapeutic medicine for humans," Weitzman says. "Bone responds to 25-50Hz and skin and soft tissues to around 100Hz according to researchers."
"I think the purr has a big benefit for humans," says Weitzman. "The physiological benefits aside, we’ve always responded to purring’s psychological effects. It calms us and pleases us, like watching waves against a beach. We respond to a cat’s purr as a calming stimulus and may have even genetically selected cats with more propensity to purr.”
Purring has been linked to lowering stress, decreasing symptoms of dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing or in catching the breath), lessening the chances of having a heart attack, and even strengthening bones.
You’ll sleep better (possibly…)
Most cat owners find their pets’ company at night very soothing and relaxing. Nothing like feeling the vibrations they create as they purr to help you relax and slowly drift off to dreamland. Always on the lookout for a small, warm nook, cats often end up cuddled up between your legs or under your armpit.
By the same token, cats can be quite nocturnal. Many choose the late hours of the night for their daily exercise, or to catch up on toy time. Worst, as many owners would attest to, they have a tendency to demand their breakfast at impossibly early hours. So, is owning a pet good for your sleep?
Let’s look at what science has to say. One study suggests that sleeping with a pet dog in the room helps people sleep better because it makes them feel safer. But that same study points out that allowing your dog to cuddle up with you in bed might disrupt your sleep. Could the same be true for cats?
Mildred, a truly one-of-a-kind cat. MINISTRY OF CAT
Several studies in the UK have found that people (especially women) prefer to sleep with their cats over their partners, and they even report sleeping better with a cat than with a human bed companion.
Interviewed for an article on Today, Dr. Charles Bae, a sleep medicine expert at Cleveland Clinic, says people need to evaluate whether sleeping with pets makes sense for them.
“Pet owners can do a personal inventory,” Bae says. If people sleep better without their pets then it might be better to boot them from bed. But if sleep quality is the same no matter who is in bed, Bae says sleeping with pets can have real advantages.
“Pets can help people with anxiety and help people relax,” he says. “I can imagine some human bed partners that are more disruptive than smaller pets.”
A stronger immune system
Modern households are way too sterile. Hygiene is a good thing, but too much of it can lead to several problems. Leaving in a mostly sterilised environment means you and your family don’t get to develop immunity against many common germs, allergens and bacteria, leading to a weaker immune system. But, don’t worry: Once again cats and dogs are here to save the day.
VINICIUS AMANO/UNSPLASH
Pets spend a lot of time outdoors and bring all sorts of gems and bacteria into the house which can strengthen your immunity against colds and other mild illnesses.
Furthermore, studies have suggested that dander in pets’ fur may stop our children from developing certain allergies. But don’t take this the wrong way: You should never own a cat or dog if you are allergic to them -- you won’t suddenly become immune!
So, to return to the original question: Is owning a pet good for your health? The science suggests yes. Pet (particularly cat) owners have a healthier psyche and are less likely to die from a heart attack. While they may or may not sleep better than non-pet-owning people, they definitely benefit from the stress-relieving function of petting and from the healing powers of purrs.
Now that you know this, you may be interested in getting a pet if you don't already have one. Ministry of Cat has adorable rescues that are up for adoption. Come visit us and fall in love!