April marks National Pet Month, celebrated as an appreciation of pet ownership. More than 1 in 4 UK households own a cat, but many don’t realise all the physical and mental health benefits of owning a feline companion.
Cats bring unconditional love into people’s life. Whether it’s curling up in their lap after a long day or playfully waking them up for breakfast, furry friends have so many ways of showing people they care. Cats are great pets and are completely adaptable to various living arrangements. Whether it is a small flat or a large house, cats make themselves completely at home. And aside from giving people their undivided affection, owning a cat also has huge benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing.
As Head of Marketing at petGuard, Alex Bennett put it: “Cats are amazing companions and bring so much joy into our lives. By reducing stress, and alleviating loneliness, cats can play a vital role in the home, and it’s time we celebrated just how much our feline friends do for us.”
Here are just two great reasons why welcoming a new kitty could be beneficial:
Cats are low maintenance
One of the most popular reasons why pet owners choose a cat as their companion is because of how easy they are to care for. Cats are low maintenance and cost much less than dogs to buy, feed and to look after.
Owning a dog also means having to find time in your life to walk them and feed them, grooming costs and not being able to leave them alone for too long. Cats, on the other hand, don’t demand anything like the same amount of attention that a dog needs. Obviously, they still need to be fed and cared for, but they won’t need a ton of living space and can occupy themselves for long periods of time.
Cat ownership can reduce stress and anxiety
Research has shown that stroking pets helps to reduce the amount of cortisol in our system. The more cortisol we have in our system, the more stressed and anxious we can be.
Not only that, but even a cat’s purr can help lower stress. A cat’s purr is around 25-150 Hertz (Hz), with humans being able to hear up to 20,000 Hz. Research has shown that vibrations at a frequency between 20 and 50 Hz helps increase bone density and can reduce stress in humans by relaxing our muscles.
Discover more great reasons why leading pet insurer petGuard are convinced that owning a cat can bring joy to every household: https://www.petguard.co.uk/cat-owning-benefits
Another reason for a cat not dog choice. It’s argued dogs have the advantage that they oblige us to exercise more. But as a long-distance trail walker also given to quite long day walks, and being single, owing a dog would much reduce my amount of exercise. I couldn’t walk further than the dog could stand! Whereas the cats are waiting for me when I come back and then, assured I’m all right after my prowl, go out by themselves.
Apartment livers also have the benefit of cats not making a lot of toilet messes or barking when outside like dogs. I’d have a dog if I lived in the country, but living in an apartment, I am a better neighbor for having had indoor cats.