WHY DOES OWNING A CAT MAKE YOU LIVE LONGER?

Curious facts about the feline world

Cats are not just a sweet and entertaining presence in a home. On the contrary, recent studies conducted by scientists from the University of Minnesota have found that having a cat living in our homes can be of great benefit: cats have real therapeutic powers. So much so, that they can even make us live longer.

Famous cats with paranormal powers are still unheard of however, you should know that the cats we share our homes with, the ones who wake us up in the middle of the night with licks on the nose and exasperate us with the occasional and dreaded scratch marks on the sofa, are nature’s real power. They are the real superheroes!

Here are 4 reasons why cats prolong our lives:

1) ANTISTRESS CATS. Cats alleviate tension and help us relax. It is a proven fact that cat owners are less likely to suffer from anxiety and stress. Stroking a cat after a long, turbulent day at work can calm the soul and return it to a state of tranquillity and calm: it is more effective than a sleeping pill! In fact, it is well known that sleep comes much easier when there is a cat curled up next to you.

2) THE POWER OF THE PURR. The purr has proven therapeutic benefits. It slows the heart rate, reducing the risk of heart disease, speeds up the healing of broken bones and wounds, and reduces blood pressure fluctuations.  When purring, cats emit low frequency microwaves that vary from 1.5 to 6 gigahertz. These are the same microwave frequencies used in arthritis therapy: keeping a cat on your lap can be of great benefit, especially for the elderly.

3) MOVEMENT. Cats are very playful. They adore chasing balls, leaves and any other moving objects. Keeping up with them can be tiring and can become a real workout! Playing with a cat is also an efficient way to treat migraines in children and adolescents.

4) THE POWER OF LOVE. Who said that cats are not affectionate? If you think cats are less affectionate than dogs, you couldn’t be more wrong. They are less exuberant in their affection, that is true however, they remember our displays of affection and reciprocate at another time. In addition, taking care of cats opens our hearts to more love, guaranteeing growth on a human level. That is not all. The presence of a cat in the house can be just as rewarding as having a partner, and everyone knows, love prolongs our life!