What Are the Benefits of Domesticated Cats?

Caring for a pet such as a cat can actually make you happier and healthier. In fact, there are many therapeutic benefits of domesticated cats. Cats are the only animals that lived in solitary in the wild to be successfully domesticated. Early domestication occurred in ancient Egypt, when people believed cats were sacred. After thousands of years of domestication, cats can offer you many benefits when kept as pets.

  1. Wellbeing

    • Domesticated animals such as cats can provide us with a range of therapeutic benefits to improve our wellbeing. Pet cats can ease loneliness and help to reduce stress and anxiety. Domesticated cats, when kept as pets, will give owners unconditional affection and love. If you keep a cat as a pet from kitten to old age, you will grow a strong bond with it. Cats can be a great source of entertainment and they can encourage lightheartedness. Petting your cat and playing with your pet will ease stress and improve your mood. Caring for an animal is also very rewarding.

    Health Benefits

    • It has been proven that pet owners have better health than people who don't keep domestic pets. Pet owners have a reduced risk of suffering from depression. Pet owners also possess lower trglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are indicators of heart disease, than those who don't own pets. Additionally, heart attack patients who own pets have been found to live longer than those who don't. Playing with your pet can elevate serotonin and dopamine levels, which are chemicals that relax and calm you. Pet owners also keep their calm better in stressful situations -- studies show that in these situations their blood pressure is lower than people who don't own pets.

    Pets and Depression

    • Disorders like depression affect many people today and can be made worse by loneliness and isolation. Caring for a cat can ease depression by making you feel wanted and needed. Interacting with your cat can take you mind off your worries. In fact, many owners of domesticated cats talk to their pets. Owning a cat can be a good way to voice your troubles and work through your emotions. Pets will always listen, and never talk back to you.

    Pets and Older People

    • It is important to keep your vitality and zest for life as you get older. Having a pet cat can encourage you to maintain exercise, playfulness and a sense of humor. These characteristics help to boost your immune system and increase energy. While dogs require a lot of exercise, which can be difficult as you age, cats make great indoor pets. Health benefits of having a pet as you age have been recorded. Alzheimer's patients with pets are less prone to stress and outbursts of anxiety and pets offer older people who cannot speak a source of non-verbal interaction and friendship.