Cat Information

Can having a pet cat really reduce stress?

I read this somewhere. I suffer from stress and since I have had my gorgeous cat I feel less stressed in general (she seems to have a calming influence on me), and when I have a bad day at work I am able to forget about it much more easily when I play with her and think of her (she's adorable). What do you think of this claim and has anyone else experienced this? Serious answers only please.

Public Comments

1. the answer is simply, yes.
2. It is like this for me, I feel better with a cat around.
3. Noooo they puke and poo everywhere they carry fleas and they rip open your bin bags.They kill baby birds I could go on Get a goldfish instead now thats relaxing
4. Yes, I definitely agree with you. I have 2 cats and one or other of them sits with me every night, after I have had a hard day at work. I find they cheer me up, they are soothing and to stroke them is really relaxing. I lost my oldest cat last year; she was 21 years old. My current cats - Rosy and Pumpkin are 17 and 12 respectively.
5. cats are very calming creatures
6. I think both cats and dogs relieve stress
7. Yes, and it is not just cats. It is pets in general. Often in scientific studies cats and dogs have been put at the top of the list for reducing stress in people, having a calming effect, and generally generating a happier disposition in their owners. The reason is simple. A number of people who suffer from stress or psychiatric disorders often feel like they have no purpose; that they are simply running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Having an animal to take care of gives people a sense of responsibility and a sense of gratification when the animal returns affection for their good care. Also, animals have very calming presences and almost seem in tune with their owners' moods. This is why there are "therapy animals." In many cases, the presence of an animal can aid in various healing processes.
8. well im allergic to cats so my bf cat brings me nothing but stress but yes stoking animals is meant to relax stressed ppl.
9. yes, it has been scientifically proven that stroking an animal can reduce pulse rate and blood pressure.
10. I think that cats and dogs do have a calming effect for people. They use dogs in hospitals don't they? They go around the ward visiting patients and interacting with them and the patients will tell you what a treat it is.
11. yes i think it is the same with both cats and dogs as it seems when you stroke them all ya stressed just go away!. So the answer is: YES YES YES!
12. Not when it P***** all around the house.
13. Definitely. I love curling up with a book with my cat beside me. I find that it helps break the feeling lonely as well. When my friend was suffering from severe depression the doctor recommended she get a cat to keep her company, she has been off her meds now for 3 years, and the cat is now 5.
14. Yes. Studies have been done that medicaly prove that people's blood pressure goes down immeadiately when they pet a cat. Thats why so many nursing homes have pets now. It is good therapy for sick or dying patients. It makes you feel comforted at the primal sense. Someone (thing) loves you unconditionally and claims YOU as there own family. People tend to have a lot of conditions on their love. If you don't behave within the bounds they don't love/accept you. Cats and dogs don't care. Feed them, water them and scratch there head once in a hwile and they are good. Yours for life.
15. Yes. I have 3 just to be sure
16. Normally it does reduce stress. I recently took in a stray who is still adjusting to living in a human home with 2 resident cats (they ar eboth much older) and the situation has stressed all of us but its getting better day by day. My destressing time is when the newest goes to her room for the night and my other 2 cats pile on top of me and we all destress together. So they help me and I help them lol
17. Ive had my kitty 6 months now and she always makes me calmer within minutes.Its a shame i cant take her to work with me.I think cats do have a calming influence on people.Id recommend cats to anyone.
18. Yes, cats and dogs can both help to reduce stress. There is something very relaxing and calming about the repetitive action of stroking or petting an animal. Many nursing homes even have cats or dogs now and it makes a huge difference for many of the elderly as well. Even purring can have a calming effect on us........similar to when we sit on the beach just listening to the waves rolling it........its very relaxing.
19. well when mine were younger they caused me more stress, but now they are starting to calm down
20. They sure can, I know my 2 dogs and 2 cats help keep my blood pressure down and get me out for fresh air and exercise and they keep me safe when my husband works late. Here's a great article about it http://www.newsweek.com/id/91445
21. Pets can help make a person feel less stressed for a variety of reasons. One main reason is that it gives the person something else to focus on aside from what is stressing them. Such as work, school, other people, and so on. Because of this, it helps a person calm down quicker than simply reading a book or watching television. When doing those kinds of activities, a persons mind can still wander and thinking about stresses in their lives. I have always had pets in my life and can't imagine living without one. Personally, I am a dog person and my fiance is a cat person. I don't hate cats and he doesn't hate dogs, we just each prefer those kinds of animals over the other. Right now, we have two cats! Once we move into a place with a yard, I want to get a dog.
22. I think it is true. When I get home and my cat, Bobbie is waiting to greet me, I forget about the days stresses and strains. Playing with her takes my mind off anything bad that has happened in the day. Plus, when she wraps herself around my legs or rubs up agaist me, I know that she has great affection for me and doesn't judge me if I'm upset or stressed about assignments for uni piling up on top of me.
23. If you love a cat, it will love you back unconditionally. You can unburden yourself of your worst secrets, and your cat won't tell a soul. Cuddling and stroking your cat will calm you down when you are stressed. This has been medically proven. If you are someone who likes time alone, your cat won't not afford you company but deprive you of solitude, like some humans do. A cat is a companionable creature.