Stroking pets makes us release oxytocin, which reduces cortisol and can help us to feel less anxious. And a cat trumps all other pets in this regard, with their abundant furry coats being particularly soothing.
Not only does it soothe us, reduce anxiety, and make us feel happy, but its particular frequency of vibrations can increase bone density
So many aspects of cat ownership help to reduce stress, from the sensation of stroking them to their therapeutic purr to the sense of purpose they give us in our daily life
Cats are superb mousers. They are natural-born killers and have a predatory instinct to hunt down small animals such as mice and rats, and even insects in the home.
Yes, cats can be fairly vocal in their communication, but it’s mostly at a fairly low level – compare a meow to a bark. Bar a crazy few minutes of self-exercise maybe once a day, they like to sleep a lot.
Compared to many domestic pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits, at an average of 13-14 years, cats live for a decent chunk of a human life
However, studies such as this one from the National Library of Medicine show that if a child is exposed in early life to cats
Cats might not be as needy as some other pets, but they do love to play. Find your inner child by blowing bubbles, playing hide-and-seek or setting up an edible treasure hunt.