Why Your Cat is the Key to Better Mental Health

The 4^th June is National Hug Your Cat Day a special day celebrated every year. It’s a great time to show appreciation to our feline friends for all that they do for us. The feeling a cat lover gets when they hug their faithful feline is unlimited happiness. Yes, it’s true, the love between a cat and its owner is a deep bond that goes beyond words, but did you know that hugging your cat can help you feel great and have positive mental health too?

At Perfect-Pets we’ve done some fact digging and have discovered that without a doubt, time and time again, our feline friends help us recover from illness, loneliness, depression, and stress. Here are a few reasons why.

Purring for Relaxation

The primal sound of a cat purring is reassuring to both the cat and its owner as this shows a level of contentment and happiness. As a cat sits in its owner’s lap a moment of calm and peace can be experienced between the two which is one of the best parts of cat ownership. Some cats enjoy lap time longer than others and have to be awkwardly dismissed because of an important call or to do urgent house chores. However, all felines whether for a short or long periods love a nice cuddle and time with their owner where love and attention can be reciprocated. The sound of a purring cat and the vibrational sound of the purring brings satisfaction to both cat and its owner.

Cat Bonding

The closeness between a cat and its cat parent is priceless and provides great companionship. A loving cat can fill a void in a person’s life and curb loneliness moderating feelings of stress and anxiety and improving mental health. Having a great bond with your cat also helps your cat develop positive mental health and will provide them with the confidence they need to survive and live a long life. Just like humans, cats are social animals, and a good bond will make them feel loved and secure.

Therapy For Free

Studies have found that simply petting or cuddling a cat can release oxytocin in the body, which is the hormone responsible for making people feel happy and loved. Cats also can be the perfect non-judgmental companion to pour your heart out to, since they will still be there to love you and cuddle with you no matter what. Whether you are going through a tough time personally or professionally, or you want to have a pet to rely on throughout your daily struggles, cuddling your cat offers great therapy for free.

Immune Building

Research has shown that bonding time is great for the immune system. Cat dander can cause sneezing, watery eyes, and itchiness in some people but by allowing your cat to be close to you the human body is able to develop a tolerance. This in turn can help with seasonal allergies and asthma.

Having Fun

For your cat, a good cuddle session and a bit of playtime provide it with just the right amount of exercise needed. This keeps your cat feeling fit and healthy and can reduce its risk for heart disease or stroke. You both reap physical rewards by providing your cat with loving care and attention. Plus, playtime can help an owner to laugh and smile especially if they have had a hard day.

The benefits of cat ownership are endless, but the most important thing to remember is that cats are great for our health. So, don’t delay pick up your cat and give them a hug today and remember all the goodness this simple act does.

To learn more about providing the best care possible for your feline friend The Essential Guide to Cat Care is available from Perfect-Pets. Visit: www.perfect-pets.org to see our full collection of books for your perfect pet.