Apart from the obvious that cats are cute and mischievous, studies have shown that having a meowing furry friend in your life can actually benefit your health.
If you’re already a cat owner than you know that those little furballs are fantastic, but if you’re still in the decision phase, here are a few reasons why a feline friend might benefit your lifestyle.
They’re therapeutic
While not as loyal as dogs, cats have been known to have a calming effect because of the extra oxytocin released when you see your pet. Cats also invoke feelings of love and trust and can help with people who are in mourning or need to work through their emotions.
They’ll help reduce stress
Sticking to the calming bandwagon, I can definitely testify to how petting a cat after a long stressful week (with chocolate and wine in the other hand) can help ease out any tension I might be feeling. Reportedly owning a cat can help trigger calming chemicals in your body that help reduce anxiety levels.
They’ll make you more sociable
According to a number of studies, people who are socially shy are more likely to open up as pet ownership creates an easy conversation starter. Women also perceive men to be more emotionally sensitive (see Dave Franco) when they own a cat so that little kitty you love so much may be putting you one step closer to your soulmate.
They’re low maintenance
Apart from being constantly hungry (is that just my cat?), cats are pretty easy to take care of so are perfect if you live in an apartment or you have a busy lifestyle that doesn’t allow for a dog. A piece of string makes the perfect toy, they keep themselves clean and they’ll sleep anywhere without taking up too much space.
If you’ve been on the fence as to whether or not to get yourself a pet, trust me, you won’t regret it. Plus with all these benefits, what do you have to lose?
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Written by Billie Turei
An environmental goddess who loves to spend her weekends drinking wine and perfecting her Master Chef skills, this little foodie can callback any 90’s hip-hop jam and obscure pop-culture references. You’ll usually find Billie eating Thai food and heading off for impromptu road-trips with her squad.
Favourite food to cure a hangover: Hash browns. All of them.
You don’t own a cat you co-habitate with it 🙂