Noting that having a cat has positive effects on mental health, experts point out that cats are good for loneliness and depressive moods. According to experts, feeding cats positively affects children's social communication and increases their empathy and sense of responsibility. So much so that people who feed cats are less likely to have a heart attack than those who do not.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu stated that cats have important contributions to physical and mental health.
People who feed cats have better heart health
Noting that scientific studies have revealed this important relationship, Dilara Aloğlu said, "Cats are animals that benefit people both mentally and physically. Some studies have shown that people who feed cats are less likely to have a heart attack than those who do not. For example, according to research conducted at the University of Minnesota, people who do not own cats are 40% more prone to death from cardiovascular diseases than people who have cats in their homes. Research at the University of New York at Buffalo found that cat owners have lower blood pressure than others. At the same time, it helps people who live alone to have friends and responsibility."
Positive effects on child mental health
Noting that keeping cats at home has important effects on child development and mental health, Expert Clinical Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu said, "Keeping pets for children increases their social communication, empathy and sense of responsibility. It can be said that children who grow up with cats are extroverted and especially only children learn to share. When cats enter the family, they play an important role in teaching children responsibility and animal care. Dr. Marshall Plaut from the American National Allergy and Infectious Diseases Board states that growing up with pet contact at an early age strengthens the immune system in later periods and significantly reduces common allergies."
Cat is good for loneliness
Dilara Aloğlu noted that cats especially connect lonely people to life and become their friends at home and said, "A cat can cause depressed people to enjoy life. Having a cat accompany you, endearing itself to you and spending time with you constantly will make you feel good and help you feel lonely. Research shows that many psychological disorders are caused by loneliness. At the same time, it will be very good for your depressive mood with the feeling that you are loved. When you come home at the end of the day, spending time with your cat will lift your spirits.
Cat owners have higher academic success
Noting that many studies today reveal that animal love is good for people, Expert Clinical Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu said, "According to research conducted at the University of Bristol, the university graduation rate of people who own cats is higher than those who own dogs. Similarly, according to a study conducted in Wisconsin in 2014, it was revealed that university students who owned cats received higher grades than those who did not. As a result, having a pet in every home will be a protective factor both in terms of child development and physical and mental disorders."
