A Pet's Place of Clearwater Inc.

11 Reasons Owning Cats Can Make You Happier

1. They make your heart healthier: According to a study from at the University of Minnesota's Stroke Institute, cat owners are  thirty percent less likely to die from all cardiovascular diseases, including  heart attacks and strokes.
2. They never miss an opportunity to take a nap: Studies have shown that indulging in a little afternoon nap can work wonders for your alertness, memory, creativity, productivity and overall mood.  
3. They have a resilient spirit: no matter how many times they fail, cats always find the will to get up and try again. They probably know better than we do that just because you make a few mistakes doesn't mean you're incapable of achieving the success you envision for yourself in the long run. 
4. Purring is calming and medically helpful: Studies show that their purrs can help lower their owner's stress levels as well as reduce their blood pressure. Additionally, cats can create purr vibrations from 20 to 140 Hertz, a frequency said to be medically helpful for a variety of illnesses including healing broken bones, reported  in Scientific American.
5. They live in the present, content to watch for hours as the world goes by. We can lead less stressful lives enjoying the expanding list of benefits of a meditation practice should we decide to follow their lead.
6. They can make you laugh as they explore their world. Researchers at California's Loma Linda University found that watching just 20 minutes of funny videos reduced subjects' cortisol levels substantially and assisted the short-term memory of older participants. Other research has linked laughter to a stronger heart and immune system.
7. Cats are strategic decision makers taking that extra moment to examine the situation before deciding if the current attraction is truly worth their attention. They move more intentionally as they climb to impossible heights or find safe ways to get down. They are thoughtful, strategic and deliberate -- all characteristics we all hope to exemplify.
8. They increase our ability to communicate. A 2012 French study observed 40 autistic children and their family pets and found that the children felt calmer and could socialize more easily than those without a pet. They associated this change with the increased production of the hormone oxytocin, triggered by petting a cat, increased their feelings of trust and love.
9. They are a positive distraction and a mood booster. Beyond their companionship, pets provide a way to add  routine, responsibility and social activity to days that might otherwise not include such components. And while all pets can help play a role in improving depression symptoms, cats are particularly calm and peaceful, and those characteristics are contagious and helpful.

10. "A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not." -- Ernest Hemingway  Cats are not afraid to totally lose it -- when the mood strikes. Not saying that we need to lose it routinely, but as it turns out, that kind of expression can help their owners as well. A 2012 study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that bottling up negative emotions can actually prove toxic to the body, increasing the risk of death by heart disease and some cancers.

11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledge that one of the biggest benefits of a pet is their ability to ease our feelings of loneliness. They are often the best listeners, and the looks on their faces often remind us that there is always someone excited to see us. According to research fromMiami University and Saint Louis University, pets can fulfill social needs in ways other humans often fail.