Does Cat Purr Heal? Benefits of Cats as Companions

Cat on prescription

Scientists are providing more and more data on the fact that contact with a cat has a positive effect on its owner. In a German study, which involved about ten thousand people, they were asked about having a pet, as well as various health indicators. The same measurement was repeated after five years and it turned out that people who lived with a cat or other pet for the entire period went to the doctor the fewest times. Those studied, and those who acquired or adopted a pet within five years, also used medical help less often than people who did not have animals. People who have contact with cats take fewer medications for the heart or sleep, and after a heart attack and coronary artery disease have a much higher survival rate than those who do not have animals in their homes. Raising children with a cat also supports their development of empathy, self-esteem, cognitive and social spheres. Children also learn from relationships with animals how to show and receive feelings, how to take care of another being, and how to be responsible.

The presence of a cat is not without significance for our mental health – it improves well-being, lowers stress levels, and their caregivers feel less lonely. People with mental disorders who undergo zootherapy gain confidence in their own effectiveness and their own abilities, and their fears in contacts with other people decrease.

So… does a cat purr heal?

Felinotherapy is one of the methods of zootherapy, which involves therapy using cats. We already know the data on how contact with an animal has a beneficial effect on human health and well-being. However, the question remains how this happens. The answer is more complex than it seems, but researchers have described several mechanisms that may be behind the therapeutic effectiveness of contact with animals. The most intuitive impact is the affective one, related to feelings and the emotional bond between humans and cats. Although Bowlby's attachment theory is based on the child-parent relationship, psychologists postulate that an animal can also act as a stable base, a safe haven, and thus be a helpful support in stressful situations - just like a mother for a child. An animal also affects humans through psychological stimulation. Playing with a cat and caring for it stimulates cognitive functions and social behaviors. This contact also serves a recreational purpose, because it is impossible not to laugh when a cat sleeps with its tongue hanging out or slides across the parquet floor when it can't make it around a bend - which is important and valuable, especially when the person is suffering in some way. It is also worth mentioning the psychosomatic aspect. It has long been wondered why cat owners are characterized by better physical health. Is it the purring of a cat or its vibrations that increase our immunity? We are not sure. Researchers suggest that the relationship between having a cat and physical health should be thought of as an indirect relationship - the point connecting these phenomena is stress and the psyche. The psychological impact that contact with a cat provides affects mental health, and this is reflected in, for example, the survival rate of the animal's caregivers after a heart attack.

The price of this love is responsibility

The presence of a cat gives a person a lot of love, joy, fun and support, but it should be remembered that a cat is not a toy that is supposed to meet our expectations, but a living animal for which the owner is responsible. Some patients with suicidal tendencies know this and admit that the sense of responsibility towards their animal stopped them from taking their own life.

A cat is an independent animal, but it is the caregiver's job to take care of their furry charge - their safety, health, treatment, examinations and general well-being. It is important for every caregiver and every caregiver to know how to take good care of their animal. Castration and sterilization are procedures that prevent overpopulation of cats, and also reduce or eliminate the risk of diseases related to the reproductive system. The safest cat is one that does not leave the house on its own, and when it decides to jump after a butterfly from the windowsill, it will be stopped by a net installed in the window. The healthiest is the one whose owner remembers to check up on their pet, feeds it healthy, high-meat food, and also ensures treatment for any diseases. The happiest cat, on the other hand, is the one that is provided with activity, its own space, scratching posts, games. It may seem like a lot, but at least in this way we can repay cats for all the benefits that result from contact with them!

If you want to become a cat owner or guardian, you can take one in, adopt from a foundation or – if you want a purebred cat – buy one from a good, proven breeder. It is important to remember that a cat can live up to twenty years, so if you do not feel that this is the right time for you to make such a decision, you can consider becoming a temporary home. In Warsaw, the JOKOT foundation , where I am a volunteer, works very responsibly and helps. Maybe you can adopt a cat from them ? ❤️

Funny cats on the internet

Avoiding the topic of responsibility, Jessica Gall Myrick became interested in the research topic of… cute cat videos on the Internet (which we often watch when we avoid responsibility for completing a given task and procrastinate). She wondered how watching a cat with bread on its head affects our emotions and well-being. It turned out that such a session of funny videos with a cat in the main role made the subjects more energetic and felt more positive than before. They also had fewer difficult emotions - anxiety, irritation and sadness. The study also noted that these people often watch cats at work or while studying, which makes them feel guilty for putting off the task. Myrick speculates that the pleasure and emotional benefit that watching cute cats brings may ultimately help people who watch them motivate themselves to work and gather strength for more difficult tasks. Will TikTok with a rolling cat replace the purring of a pet lying next to you, with whom you have an emotional bond? I don't think so. But even if it's for a moment of joy and to reduce anxiety - you can always watch cats on the internet.