Cat therapy, discover the beneficial effects of living with a cat

Did you know that the company of a small feline helps you to be happier?

Did you think you had seen it all in therapies? Well, here comes one that is becoming more and more popular: cat therapy. cat therapya tool used to intervene in the well-being of people with the help of cats.

The cat therapy, an anti-stress treatment with your feline

Cat therapy is a traditional treatment against the symptoms of stress, anxiety and low mood with the help of domestic cats. The use of this type of therapy based on the companionship provided by these small domestic felines can help improve physical and mental health and overall quality of life, through the friendly interaction between cat and person.

The positive thing about cat therapy is precisely its simplicity: it is based on the companionship offered by the cat and the person and the way they interact.

Cats and humans: a bit of history

Since ancient times, humans have found in certain animal species a good dose of companionship and affection. In addition to the domestication of animals for food (meat, milk), shelter (fur, wool) and travel (horses), some species have maintained a more intimate relationship with humans. In this sense, two of the animals that have traditionally played this role are the dog and the catAlthough it should be noted that in the case of the canine, its work has also tended to be linked to hunting, herding and the security of the home.

The cat (Felis silvestris catus) is a small predatory mammal. The origins of the species, or at least its first scientific reports, are located in southern Egypt. southern Egypt in 3000 BC. In those distant times, cats were already held in high esteem, to the point that humans gave them the status of divinity. From Egypt it spread to many other regions, through trade, and was the faithful companion of witches, wizards and healers. Later, it was welcomed as a domestic hunter of small rodents, which could spread diseases. In this sense, the cat was a health insurance for man. In addition, its role as a friend and domestic companion gradually grew.

Many people claim that the company of a cat brings them multiple benefits. Currently, there are more than forty different species of felines, each with its own characteristics: coats of all colors and shapes (and even without fur), with long tails, short tails, without tails, with very different cranial structures, etcetera.

The cat: discovering its personality and its 'anti-stress properties'.

The cat is a very autonomous animal, as is the case with all other felines. Their bond with the owners of the house is based on a sort of pact of mutual respect. The company of a cat, unlike what happens with most psychotropic drugs, contributes to achieve good levels of relaxation without the side effect of losing contact with reality or certain levels of consciousness. Petting a cat can reduce stress, as well as lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

For its part, the purring The cat's characteristic sound (sound emitted by the feline when it is comfortable and safe) has a positive effect on people's mood, promoting good humor and providing confidence and security. The signs of affection that the cat gives us also have a positive effect on our psyche, helping convalescent patients to get out of their situation thanks to its simple presence.

Feline companionship, always welcome

Many specialists recommend to people who live alone the company of a cat. the company of a cat. In addition to the positive aspects on mental health offered by the small felines, which are fundamental in cat therapy, cats do not require a great deal of care compared to, for example, dogs. Living with a cat also helps us to understand ourselves better and accept ourselves as we are: cats do not judge us, they do not differentiate between beautiful and ugly or rich and poor; they only receive affection and return it in their own way, in a completely natural way and without artifice.

Families who live close to a cat also achieve some psychological benefits. psychological benefitsThey encourage and reinforce communication between parents and children and between siblings. This is one of the positive aspects of cat therapy. In addition, family coexistence with animals teaches children to take responsibility for certain tasks, to respect and love other species, and this results in the reinforcement of calm, relaxed and stress-relieving attitudes.

Mental health, cat therapy and some facts

The benefits of cat therapy in people with some kind of physical or psychological disability or with some kind of emotional or psychological disorder have been studied. For example, among disorders associated with dementia (Alzheimer's), autism, Down syndrome, adhd and behavioral disorders in children and mood disorders, the benefits seem clear.

In the United States, several studies revealed that patients with heart disease reported a better and faster progression if they lived with a feline, thus increasing the survival rate one year after an acute episode such as a heart attack (Friedmann and Thomas, 1995).

People who live with cats in the home have a lower probability of dying probability of dying from a heart attack is lower (Friedmann and Thomas, 1995).. This was the conclusion reached by several researchers led by A. Baun of the Nursing Research. In the case of living with dogs, the same protective effect was not reported, possibly due to the daily care required by canines: dog owners were at odds close to the average.

Several national associations and foundations dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with severe mental disorders employ cats as part of therapy. In autistic children, for example, cats have various positive effects. Obviously the cat cannot cure severe psychopathology, but it has been observed that the contact of the patients with the felines brings them a good deal of happinessIt brings a smile back to their faces, especially to those who suffer from a rather lonely life.

The case of the elderly who live in geriatric residences is also particularly positive in terms of the benefits of living with cats. Different studies indicate that daily contact with an adorable cat, which can be questioned, petted and cared for, can help the elderly to verbalize their emotions and feelings, as well as their childhood memories. Stimulating their memory and expressing anecdotes and stories from their past life is really important for dementia patients. is really important in patients with senile dementias or Alzheimer's diseasedementia or Alzheimer's, because this mental gymnastics is a basic factor in delaying the degeneration of neuronal quality, which is responsible for the progressive loss of memory. The tactile sense, being able to stroke the cat and notice its purr when it is happy, stimulates some nerve endings that evoke memories.

Cats are not toys

You can adopt a cat by going to the animal shelter nearest to you. Even, if you consider it appropriate (although you should avoid it), you can buy a kitten in a store specialized in pets.

But we must not forget that a cat is a living being, that it has needs and can suffer. This implies that we must take responsibility for these animals and take care of their health and welfare. The cat must be dewormed and properly vaccinated, and in most countries it must have an identification microchip. Therefore, in cat therapy the feline is not a simple tool, but an active agent that participates in the treatment sessions and has the capacity to decide what it wants and what it does not want to do.

If this last paragraph is clear, we can only invite you to enjoy the pleasant company of one of the most friendly, mysterious and beneficial animals for your health. Cat therapy has a lot to offer you.

Bibliographical references:

• Baun, A. M., Bergstrom, N., Langston, N. F., & Thomas, L. (1984). Physiological effects of human/companion animal bonding. Nursing Research, 33(3), 126-129. Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H.

• Friedmann, E., & Thomas, S. A. (1995). Pet ownership, social support, and oneyear survival after acute myocardial infarction in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST). American Journal of Cardiology, 76, 1213-1217.