I've always said that living with cats helps you keep sane. What's even nicer is that scientists studying how our relationship with pets affects our daily lives have come up with proof!
Australia’s University of New England found people living with cats experience fewer psychiatric disturbances than those living without cats. Scientists think cats offer unconditional that allows their humans to enjoy life more. Check it out here.
Cats and dogs are also life rafts in times of family crisis. Cancer researchers in the US found that people who are nursing sick relatives are able to stand the stress better if there is a pet in the house. Family researchers in the UK found that kids tolerate divorce better if they have a pet to talk to.
The elderly also benefit from living with cats and dogs. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported senior citizen pet owners are less likely to be depressed, better able to tolerate social isolation, and more active than those who do not own pets. Check it out here.
Medical staff have long known that patients who have regular chats with pets are more receptive to treatment. In 1792 mental patients at the York Retreat, England were given pets to help them recover. Today traumatology centres, children’s hospitals and elderly care centres regularly bring in pets to speed recovery and promote wellbeing. Check it out here.
Evidence that pets help you reduce the effects of stress has been so convincing that insurance companies in the US, UK, Australia and other countries offer lower life insurance rates for pet owners.
An American Heart Association study discovered that cats and dogs are better at reducing stress-related increases in blood pressure than standard medical drugs. In the study 48 stockbrokers taking an anti-hypertension medicine were given a pet. It was found that that those with animal companionship reduced the increase in blood pressure that came with stress by half. Check it out here.
Also check out this general article on Health Benefits of pets the US National Institute of Health and the Delta Society
For more, check out the print version of tomorrow's Star, the Malaysian national daily, Weekend section.
Bring a little sunshine in your life by adopting brothers Jerry and Jazz. (Don't they look cute?) Jerry is a chatty cat who loves to talk. Jazz is quieter of the two. They are both the best of pals and love to cuddle and play. They were born in February this year and were brought to the Penang SPCA Shelter on 21st May 08. They are now hoping to find a loving home. For more information, please call 604-2816559 or email spca4060 AT streamyx.com.