Did you know that cats can be a tool to improve people’s well-being?
That’s right, there is a traditional treatment called cat therapy that allows manage symptoms of stress, anxiety and low mood. In this type of therapy, based on the company provided by these small domestic felines, it seeks to improve physical and mental health and quality of life in general, through the friendly interaction offered by the cat and the person and the way in which the one they interact with.
It may interest you:
How does it work?
- Helps you reduce stress. It has been shown that just daily interaction (including purring) with your pet reduces levels of cortisol, a hormone related to stress, and also lowers blood pressure.
- Protects your heart. According to a 2008 study by researchers at the University of Minnesota Stroke Institute, people with cats are less likely to die from a heart attack.
- Facilitate your interpersonal relationships. People who have cats consider those who have pets to be generally friendlier. Building relationships between people who don’t know each other is made easier by simply mentioning that you have a cat.
- It is great emotional support in difficult times. According to the first population study in the world on the relationship between people and cats, carried out by the Affinity Foundation and the Affinity Animals and Health Foundation Chair of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), to find out what role a cat plays in our homes and how owners and felines relate; It was identified that 67% of owners affirm that their cat is always there when they need it and the simple fact of thinking about them comforts them.
- Increases levels of well-being. When we see our cats playing, purring or even sleeping next to us, we feel peace, tranquility and comfort. Therefore, observing them brings us joy and well-being.
- It allows you to cope better with loneliness. In some cases, in which the person is going through a situation of grief, separation or an empty nest, the company and attention towards the cat (playing, talking, providing affection) helps to dissipate the feeling.
- Helps strengthen other skills. The exercise of responsibility, attention and distribution of tasks are soft and social skills. If there are small children at home, caring for a pet is also a way to support the development of values in them.
If you’re interested:
Other benefits
According to , there are studies that show the benefits of cat therapy in people with some type of physical or mental disability or with some type of emotional or psychological disorder. For example, among disorders associated with dementia (Alzheimer’s), autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD and behavioral disorders in children and mood disorders, the benefits seem clear.
In autistic children, for example, cats have different positive effects. Obviously the cat cannot cure a condition, but it has been observed that contact brings them a good dose of happiness, it restores their smile, especially to those who suffer from a rather lonely life.