How Cats Make Humans Happier and Healthier (Infographic)

Book links are usually affiliate links. This means I earn a small percentage when you click through and buy the book. This costs you nothing extra - it simply allows me to keep my cats in the lifestyle they're accustomed to.

Alexa, Busy Supervising my Book Reviews!

If you’ve read any of my blogs or have bumped into me on social media, you know one thing for certain about me – I am ALL about my cats! They’re family and I’m not the least bit embarrassed to say that I love them wildly.

In addition to spoiled rotten indoor cats, we also have a healthy number of outside cats – we live in the country and have loved/sheltered a feral colony of cats for years. While we provide the best food on the market for our furry babies, as well as a steady stream of new/creative cat toys, love/attention, and daily fresh water (confession time: I refrigerate it in the summer months)… our cats give us far more than we give them.

Benefits of Cats

They are 24/7 entertainment. Cats are little toddlers which means they’re little clowns. Even when a cat isn’t trying to be funny… she can’t help but be exactly that!
Cats are purrfect stress-relievers. Petting a cat or, if they aren’t as fond of petting as they are playing, playing with a cat makes the cares and worries of the day float away.
Cats are a CURE ALL for loneliness. I often (often, often, often, often) hear from parents who are either facing an empty nest or have kids who had the audacity to grow up (Crazy Kids!!) – one of the first pieces of advice I offer is this: “If you have the room and means to care for her/him, go to your local shelter and adopt a cat or two. Focusing love and attention on this new furry family member will help heal you in ways you didn’t think were possible. Giving a furry baby a forever home and forever family is a WONDERFUL thing to do… but, trust me, in a few months you’ll wonder….’Okay, who exactly saved who?!‘”
You can’t underestimate the physical and health benefits of a cat, either. When they’re so beneficial for your emotional health, it only makes sense that they’re beneficial for your physical health.

A Few Precautions for Those New to Cats in the Family

Always be certain that you (as well as your family members) do not have cat allergies before bringing one home. It would be heart-breaking for all concerned (especially the cat!) to have to turn around and take her back to the shelter.
If you aren’t familiar with cats, allow this cat mamma to prepare you for something – they are unlike any animal you are familiar with. They are incredibly unpredictable – which, in my opinion adds to their charm and high level of entertainment value. Although there are exceptions, most cats do NOT like to snuggle and cuddle. They’ll often grace you with their presence by laying in your lap, but if you try to push it (by, say, petting too much!), they’ll bolt. You just have to get to know your own little one and let her/his personality and temperament call the shots.
No two cats are exactly the same. One of our cats (Guennie) had three kittens and they are the PERFECT example of how different cats can be. One of the three (Dokkie) cannot get enough attention and affection. She seeks it out! She thinks nothing of jumping right up on your chest and nuzzling under your chin – purring so loudly the other cats wonder what’s up. Another one (Huckleberry) loves affection nearly as much as Dokkie but her idea of a good time is playing. She’ll snuggle for a few minutes, but she’d much rather attack your feet, hands, or anything else you have to offer. You could pick up either of these two kittens and carry them for 2 miles and they’d never say a thing about it – however the third kitten (Tulip) is, shall we say, more tightly wrapped?! She is, in fact, more like the typical female cat. She will sit in your lap and allow you to pet her, but if she thinks you’re pushing your luck. she’s liable to meow loudly at you and stomp off. She’s just as adorable, just as lovable, and just as appreciated as her sisters – she’s just different. NEVER take a cat’s temperament or personality personally – they are not trying to be difficult and they are not insulting you (Judging? Absolutely! Insulting? No.)

The infographic below (from https://www.catological.com) will show you (adorably!) 22 ways cats make humans happier and healthier. Enjoy!