Kitten Therapy: Stressed? Sad? Angry? Just need a lift? Ask your doctor about kitten therapy.
Kitten Therapy
Kitten Therapy Positive Side Effects
Side effects may include: joy, relaxation, smiles and possibly sneezing and rashes. But for those without allergies, kitten therapy looks like the ultimate stress-buster.
Kittens are fluffy, independent and affectionate, and often keep to themselves and sleep most of the time.
Whether you own a friendly lap cat or a quiet introvert, the sense of companionship and love you have for your pet can be just as enriching as any other friendship.
Here are some of the benefits taken from Health Fitness Revolution and author of the book ReSYNC Your Life Samir Becic.
Kittens and Stress
Reduces stress and anxiety: Owning a cat can be soothing and trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. Cats are known for being low-maintenance, so a simple petting session is often enough to relax owners and distract them from other worries.
Kitten Therapy and Stroke
Decreases risk of stroke: Studies show that cat owners are less likely to be at risk for having a stroke than any other pet owner. Scientists speculate this is also because of a cat’s low-maintenance ownership.
Kittens and Grief
Therapeutic benefits: People going through difficult times of grief or mourning report that talking to their pet helps work out their feelings, since it is often easier to talk to something that won’t respond and can’t judge than to another human being.
Kittens and The Immune System
Boosts immunity: Exposure to pet dander and fur in the house results in increased resistance to allergens, decreasing risk for allergies and asthma.
Kitten Therapy and Blood Pressure
Lowers blood pressure: Cat owners are known to have lower blood pressure than non-cat owners due to the calming presence cats provide.
Heart Disease and Kittens
Decreases risk of heart disease and heart attacks: A study conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Institute in Minneapolis have shown that those who do not own cats are 30-40% more likely to die of heart attacks than their cat-owning counterparts..
Sociability and Kitten
Increase sociability: Cat ownership provides a natural conversation starter and can enhance the owner’s ability to socialize.
Companionship and Kitten Therapy
Provide companionship: Owning a cat reduces feelings of loneliness. Though cats are often known for their independence, the bond between a cat and its owner reinforces companionship. A Swiss study conducted in 2003 revealed that owning a cat is similar to having a romantic partner.