Are cats good for our health?

Cats have lived with humans for thousands of years. And long before cat memes and viral TikToks took over the internet, they comforted us with their purrs and made us laugh with their silly antics.

But what does the research say: are cats good for us?

Living with a cat can have a profound – and sometimes surprising – effect on our physical and mental health. Yet life with cats is not without risks.

Part of the family

You may have heard that cats don’t have owners, they have “staff”. In fact, several studies show that the people who live with them feel more like beloved family members.

A survey of 1,800 Dutch cat owners found that half of them said their cat was related. One in three viewed their cat as a child or best friend and found it loyal, supportive and empathetic.

Another American study developed a ‘family bonding’ scale and found that cats were as important a part of families as dogs.

Many cats would prefer human interaction over food or toys. And they can differentiate when we talk to them (rather than another human).

Actually, we have adapted to each other. Cats are more likely to approach human strangers and first give them a “cat kiss” – squinting their eyes and blinking slowly. And research shows that cats have developed specific meows that match our nurturing instincts.

What does this close relationship mean for health outcomes?

A sense of purpose

Owning a pet is associated with less social isolation. And some cat owners say that “caring for the cat” increases their sense of pleasure and purpose.

But the benefits of the relationship may depend on how you interact with your cat.

One study looked at different relationship styles between humans and cats, including “distant,” “casual,” and “co-dependent.” It found that people whose relationship with their cat was co-dependent or as a friend had a higher emotional bond with their pet.

Links to heart health

People who own (or have owned) a cat have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart disease. This result has been replicated in several studies.

However, a problem with interpreting population studies is that they only tell us about an association. This means that although people who own cats have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, we cannot say with certainty that cats are the cause.

Cat ownership has also been linked to some positive changes in the gut microbiota, especially in women, such as improved blood glucose control and reduced inflammation.

Helping mental health

Owning a cat or dog is also associated with higher psychological well-being. In people with depression, petting or playing with their cat has been shown to reduce symptoms (although this was for a short period of two hours and cannot be extrapolated longer term).

Another way to learn about the health effects of cats is through qualitative research: asking people what their cats mean to them, beyond the numbers.

When colleagues and I surveyed veterans, we found that people who were more attached to their pets actually had worse mental health scores. But their survey responses told a different story. One respondent said, “My cats are the reason I get up in the morning.”

Another wrote: I consider my pet a service animal. My cat helps me relax when I’m dealing with my anxiety, depression or when I wake up at night from the frequent nightmares I have. My cat is not just a pet to me, my cat is a part of me, my cat is a part of my family.

It may be that veterans were more attached to their cats because they had poorer mental health – and relied more on their cats for comfort – rather than the other way around.

Disadvantages of mental health

It’s possible that being attached to your cat has drawbacks. If your cat becomes ill, the burden of care can have a negative effect on your mental health.

In our study of owners of cats with epilepsy, approximately one third experienced a clinical burden as a caregiver that was likely to hinder their daily functioning.

Toxoplasmosis

Cats can also transmit zoonotic diseases, which are infections that spread from animals to people.

They are the main host for toxoplasmosis, a parasite shed in the feces of cats that can affect other mammals, including humans. The parasite is more likely to be carried by feral cats hunting for their food than by domestic cats.

Most people have mild symptoms similar to flu. But infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, or cause problems for the baby, including blindness and seizures.

Pregnant women and people with reduced immunity are at greatest risk. It is recommended that these groups do not empty the litter box, or use gloves if necessary. Changing the litter box daily prevents the parasite from reaching a stage where it can infect humans.

allergies

Up to one in five people have an allergy to cats and this is increasing.

When cats lick their fur, their saliva deposits an allergen. When their fur and dander (dander) comes off, it can cause an allergic reaction.

People without severe allergies can still live with cats if they regularly wash their hands, clean surfaces and vacuum to eliminate dander. They can also exclude cats from areas where they want to be allergen-free, such as bedrooms.

Although cats can cause allergic reactions, there is also evidence that contact with cats can play a protective role in preventing the development of asthma and allergic reactions. This is because exposure can alter the immune system, making it less likely that allergic reactions will occur.

Susan Hazel is an Associate Professor at the School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide.

(This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.)