FACTS ABOUT CATS

How Do Cats Contribute to a Better Life for Humans?

A study conducted in the United Kingdom by the charitable cat organization Cats Protection found that people who spend more time with cats feel calmer and experience less stress than those who do not have cats or do not spend their free time with them.

Among cat owners who participated in this study, 87% believed that living with a cat improved their overall well-being, while 76% stated that cats help them relieve daily stress.

Many believe that cats are distant and lack empathy, which is usually associated with dogs. However, cats can actually sense when their owners feel bad and respond accordingly.

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Cats Are Also Beneficial for Our Physical Health

Contrary to popular belief, cats can also positively affect our physical health. A study published years ago in the scientific journal Medical News Today proved that people who live with cats have a lower risk of heart failure.

Another study claimed that infants who grow up with various furry pets, including cats, have a lower chance of developing allergies and even obesity. Animals are very dynamic beings that constantly encourage themselves and others to move.

Research published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2019) states that early exposure to cats is associated with a reduced risk of asthma in children. The authors believe this is due to the fact that interaction between children and cats contributes to the absorption of sialic acid. This acid does not naturally occur in the human body but appears to regulate inflammatory responses within it.

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How Cats Teach Us to Do Good

Besides the psychological and physical benefits that cats bring, it is clear that they can also influence our behavior and personality, helping us navigate through life more easily.

If we observe them closely, cats can reveal the secret to improving our behavior and social interactions. This is especially important for children with various disorders or limitations that may affect their ability to "read emotions" in others and respond to them appropriately.

Children on the autism spectrum who grow up with kittens often respond better to their environment. As mentioned before, cats are good at reading human emotions. With their gaze, movements, and tendency for touch, they can comfort and calm us, offering valuable emotional support in difficult moments.

In recent years, research into cat behavior, training, and care has expanded significantly. Cats are being studied more extensively, and they can even contribute to medical advancements.

Many cats suffer from diseases very similar to those affecting humans, such as cancer, plague, and mental conditions like anxiety or depression. Just as humans can contract HIV, cats can become infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Interestingly, recent advancements in FIV research could actually help scientists better understand HIV in humans.

A study published in March 2018 discovered how cats with FIV develop resistance, reducing the virus levels in their blood. The study's authors believe their findings could help scientists develop better HIV treatments, eliminating resistance issues in some patients.

At the same time, researchers observed that a parasite that typically causes toxoplasmosis could be used to develop a vaccine against certain aggressive types of cancer.

In the end, we can be grateful that our feline friends can help us not only emotionally but also through scientific research. This benefits both cats and humans, leading to a better life for all.

Regardless of how our feline companions improve our lives, it is important to remember that cats are gentle, sensitive creatures who deserve our attention.

Cat lovers do not need scientific explanations to know how much cats benefit their well-being. However, it is good to hear that science strongly agrees.

Numerous studies and research have already confirmed that the presence of cats positively affects human well-being—so much so that some call them "furry therapists."

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How Can Cats Help Us?

 - They Reduce Stress
What is more relaxing than petting a cat after a long or difficult day? Studies show that just a few minutes of cuddling a cat significantly lowers stress levels and reduces cortisol (the stress hormone).

If the cat is purring, the effects are even greater—the vibrations from purring have incredibly relaxing effects.

 -  They Are the Best Friends
Having friends is important in life. Some people have more human friends, while others have more animal friends.

Friends make us laugh, prevent loneliness, and love us unconditionally, just as we are. They share the good and the bad with us.

Who can say that cats don’t fit this description perfectly?

 - They Encourage Routine
Scientific research has shown that having a structured routine is important for well-being, especially for those dealing with bipolar disorder, ADHD, anxiety, or stress.

A lack of structure negatively impacts mental health. Having a cat requires a daily routine, as they need regular care and attention, bringing predictability into our lives.

 - They Provide Love
Every person needs to be loved and feel love, just as essential as breathing air.

Feeling loved releases beneficial hormones that calm us, provide comfort, and create a sense of security. Cats express their love in different ways, such as meowing, purring, or licking.

Of course, not all cats are equally affectionate, as some breeds are more loving than others.

 - They Teach Us to Control Emotions
If you have a cat, you probably know that you can't suddenly yell or lose your temper, as it would scare the cat.

Studies show that taking care of a cat has unexpected benefits—people learn to better regulate their emotions.

Cats teach us that our behavior and mood affect those around us, including both people and animals.

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Cats Love Us More Than We Think

People usually love cats a lot, but sometimes, due to their nature, it seems that cats don’t love us as much.

Scientists say that there is no need to doubt—it is likely that cats love us very much.

Unlike dogs, whose enthusiasm for humans is obvious, cats show their affection in subtler ways.

A dog eagerly watches out the window when you're coming home and jumps with joy when it sees you.

A cat might just flick its ears as you enter and remind you that its food bowl is empty.

Dogs want at least 100 pets a day, while cats may tolerate one or two before deciding it’s enough—or at least that's the stereotype.

However, cats can be extremely affectionate too.

 - They Prefer Human Company First
Scientists from Oregon State University studied cats’ complex social-cognitive abilities.

They conducted research on both shelter cats and pet cats. They found that when given a choice between human interaction, food, toys, and scents, most cats chose human companionship first.

This study was published in Behavioural Processes.

While there were clear differences between individual cats, the majority preferred human company over food.

So, the next time you see your cat lying coldly and indifferently, remember—it secretly loves you more than food!

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Why Do Humans Love Cats So Much?

People love cats for many reasons. Cats simply make us happy.

Even just watching cat videos online has been proven to improve mood and increase positive emotions.

Cats reduce stress—both their purring and cuddling have therapeutic effects.

They also help fight loneliness. Sharing a home with a cat provides emotional support in moments of grief and hardship.

And as the famous writer Charles Bukowski once said:
"It’s good to have a few cats. If you’re feeling bad, just look at them, and you’ll feel better, because they know everything is just as it is. They simply know. They are our healers."