On the 29th of October every year, although not widely celebrated in Spain, National Cat Day is celebrated in the US and the UK. It was created in 2005 to raise awareness of the importance of adopting cats.
In Spain we have a large amount of feral cat communities and stray cats, luckily there are also many animal and specifically, cat rescue centres and animal charities that work hard to feed and re-home cats & kittens. They do this alongside organising neutering programmes and of course the much needed fundraising events.
Luckily, we humans do have a soft spot for Pussy Cats, many of us here at the Protectapet offices in Spain have adopted a rescue cat or two with absolutely no regrets, myself included!
So, with National Cat Day in mind, if you haven’t already adopted a cat, here are some very good reasons why you should consider doing so.
Considering that the human body is approximately 60% water, we know that there are proven health benefits of vibration therapy (various methods of gentle forced vibration applied to the body) and with slightly less evidence, sound therapy (the use of music and sound for stress relief and relaxation) i have to say personally, listening to music is one of my favorite stress relievers!! Anyway, it does makes perfect sense that the comforting sound of a Cats Purr with a range of approximately 20-140Hz will offer some amazing health benefits to us, so let´s explore what they could possibly be.
Did you know that Cats Purr when they are anxious and stressed? No? neither did i.
I always thought Purring was my cat´s way of saying he is content and happy! Nope! according to research, Cats will actually purr if they feel worried or scared. They will Purr as a form of self-soothing, much like how some humans may hum when they feel anxious. So, if it helps cats to keep themselves calm at stressful times, then we should consider that the sound and vibration of a purring cat can be extremely effective as stress relief to humans, in much the same way. Evidently, it’s the low-frequency vibrations that aid relaxation.
So, as you pet your purring pussy cat, the sound and vibration helps your body to release a relaxation hormone which in turn can reduce the levels of stress hormones…. Purrfect. Being in a state of calmness helps to reduce blood pressure. According to research, just 15 mins of Power Petting & Purring can reduce your blood pressure by approximately 10%! Not to mention, you will feel happier and more relaxed.
With “Cat Purr induced blood pressure reduction” (yes, i did just make that up!), we can move on nicely to Heart Health!
Simply put, reduced blood pressure equals reduced risk of heart attack. There has been research to show that there is a link between cat owners and the reduced likeliness of heart attacks & strokes. Stress does relate to higher blood pressure, and that high blood pressure is in turn related to heart attacks. If you are getting your stress relief from enjoying cuddles from your Kitty, which is in turn reducing your blood pressure, you are then indeed reducing your chances of having a heart attack.
Apparently, when it comes to bone and joints, cats generally tend to have few issues. This could be because purring for Cats is also a form of self-repair. The low energy vibrations emitted could allow for the improvement of bone growth and density as well as the healing of bones, muscle and tendons. Again, if you are spending time with your cat purring on your lap you could also benefit from this healing therapy!
Dsyponea affects humans and animals, the symptoms are breathlessness, labored and /or difficult breathing. Dysponea can sometimes be a warning sign for a further health problem. Because a cat´s purr vibrates between 20 and 140Hz, these vibrations help to regulate breathing and therefore can help to reduce the symptoms of Dysponea in humans and the purring cat himself.
Well, there is nothing worse than loneliness. Companionship is so important and cats are just magic for the cuddles and comfort they bring into our lives. Seeing to your feline companions needs as part of your daily routine also brings the feelings of responsibility and purpose. This can only add to the feel-good feelings! Cats are also noticeably less high-maintenance than other pets due to their independent nature. This often creates a perfect balance for people who work maybe long hours and cannot commit to daily walks, for example.
Many people enjoy sleeping with their cats on the bed and some actually say they sleep better for it.
There are, as always, pros and cons to
sleeping with your cat and it often will depend on the temperament of said pussy cat!
We think that it must be the snuggles, and the close proximity to all those lovely Purrs which is also a kind of "white noise" that can help us to nod off that little bit easier!
For those of us who have suffered from the debilitating effects of mental illness such as depression or have suffered a bereavement, it is important to know that the company and affection from a feline friend will at times be truly helpful and soothing. Sometimes to be fair, as a distraction! But remember that theraputic Purr does help to calm and relax us too.
Unfortunately, some people are allergic to cats and it can be difficult to manage. However, there are studies that have shown that exposure to cats early on in life (in the first year) helps to build immunity and can protect people from developing allergies later in life!
So, there you go... are you persuaded yet?!
Well, here are some articles about animal re-homing in Spain, you can learn a little bit about the work that local charities Apama Nature, Akira Animal Sanctuary and Becky´s Facebook group "Just a Chance Spain and UK" do to help rescue abandoned and homeless pets in Spain. They are also the people to contact if you are hoping to find a pet to rescue or if you would kindly like to make a donation!!
If you are not in a position to adopt, foster or donate that’s ok.… please share this article on your social media and help to raise awareness of the importance of supporting Pet rescue and Adoption charities here in Spain. Thank you!
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this article "NATIONAL CAT DAY" has been written in collaboration with Tangalina and White Mouse Media on behalf of Protectapet.
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