I wrote a previous post on all the health benefits of having pets and now comes even more evidence of the wonderful benefits of having a cat (I have a couple so hopefully this rules me completely out of the heart attack zone). I showed the following evidence of the health benefits of living with cats to my husband in the hopes that he would be slightly less angry with me the next time I bring home a homeless cat (they always seem to find me). This is also a great study if you are currently trying to convince your spouse that you should adopt a cat so read on!Why Having A Cat Is Good For Your Heart In More Ways Than One
According to a study at the University of Minnesota, researchers tracked 4,435 people ages 30-75 for up to 20 years (that is a long time), they found that cat owners were 40 percent less likely to die of a heart attack than people who lived in homes without cats. The researchers doing the study could not say exactly why this was but thought it probably had something to do with "stress relief". I agree with this because whenever I am upset all I have to do is pet my cat and I can feel the tension literally melt away. Having my cats is better than any pill or chocolate bar (it is a close tie between the chocolate bar and cats-just kidding) that I could have when I feel upset or in turmoil.
Unfortunately, there were not enough dog owners in the study to make the same assumption but I imagine that the results would be similar based on other studies that I have seen. I also think that having a pet adds entertainment as mine do the silliest things and keep me laughing-they say laughter is the best medicine.
Adopting a cat or dog from an animal shelter may be good for your heart too in that you know you saved a valuable life and are loved unconditionally for who you are by them. I really cannot express enough the benefits both for your heart health and your heart happiness in living with a pet.
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