8 Health Benefits of Having a Cat Although they’re often considered<br />independent, having a cat can greatly<br />improve the quality of your life. Here are eight health benefits of owning a cat. 1. Petting a cat can release calming chemicals in your<br />body that decrease stress and lower anxiety levels.<br /> 2. Studies have shown that those who own<br />cats are less at risk of suffering a stroke.<br /> 3. Owning a cat can help release oxytocin<br />in your body, which is a hormone known<br />to induce feelings of love and trust. <br /> 4. Cat owners have a 30 to 40 percent reduced risk of<br />dying from heart disease than those who don’t own cats.<br /> 5. A cat’s purr creates vibrations between<br />20 and 140 hertz, a frequency which has been<br />shown to help heal bones, tendons and muscles.<br /> 6. A recent study by the Mayo Clinic<br />found that 41 percent of people indicated<br />they sleep better with their pet companion.<br /> 7. Children are less likely to develop<br />allergies if regularly exposed to cats.<br /> 8. Owning a cat not only enhances your<br />ability to socialize, but also leads people to<br />perceive you as sensitive and intelligent.
