Protect Children From Anxiety
TheCenter for Disease Control conducted a study on childrens pets and anxiety and found those who have them feel less anxious. The research involved 643 students, and about half of them had pets at home. The exercise involved measuring the childrens activities and how anxiety affects them. Researchers found out that families with animals had lower anxiety levels compared to those without.
Why Do Cats Get Anxiety
Cats experience anxiety because of psychological, physical and environmental stressors. Without your intervention, their stress can have detrimental affects on your home, your family, and your cats overall health.Determining the root cause of your cats anxiety can be challenging, so begin by evaluating their environment and daily life. Some things to consider:
- In your household has there been a loss or addition of family member or pet?
- Has there been recent separation from a family member?
- Recently, have they had minimal play or exercise? Is your cat experiencing boredom?
- Are there any new causes of fear that could have sparked their anxiety, such as loud noises, other pets or humans?
- How have they been eating? Might your cat be having less-than-adequate nutrition?
- Is your cat otherwise healthy or are they experiencing any pain or discomfort?
Petting Cats Linked To Reduced Stress Levels: ‘just 10 Minutes Can Have A Significant Impact’
A new study confirms what most pet owners already know: Petting our four-legged love ones lowers stress levels.
The report, published in the peer-reviewed journal AERA Open, is the first to examine the link between showing affection to pets and reducing stress levels in a realistic environment.
Researchers at out of Washington State University looked at animal visitation programs offered at many universities during finals week and other anxiety-inducing times.
“We already knew that students enjoy interacting with animals, and that it helps them experience more positive emotions,” co-author Patricia Pendry told the WSU Insider. “What we wanted to learn was whether this exposure would help students reduce their stress in a less subjective way. And it did, which is exciting because the reduction of stress hormones may, over time, have significant benefits for physical and mental health.”
Pendry’s team placed 249 college students into four groups: The first group was allowed to pet and play with dogs and cats for 10 minutes. The second group watched the first group play while waiting for their turn.
A third group was shown a slideshow of the animals the first group played with. The final group was the controlmembers were told they were “waitlisted” and had to wait for 10 minutes without their phones or other distractions them.
“Just 10 minutes can have a significant impact,” said Pendry.
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The Health Benefits Of Cats
While owning any pet can provide a myriad of health benefits, there are some benefits that are specific to cats. They can:
- Lower stress and anxiety. Cat owners know how one session of petting or playing with their cat can turn a bad day into a good one. Scientific evidence also shows that a cats purr can calm your nervous system and lower your blood pressure.
- Improve your cardiovascular health. Cat owners have been reported to carry a lower risk for heart disease and stroke.
- Prevent allergies. You always hear about cat hair being one of the most common allergens. However, if a child is exposed to cats within the first few years of life, they are more likely to develop an immune system that combats not only cat allergies but other kinds of allergens as well.
- Reduce feelings of loneliness. Cats make great companion animals. They offer an unconditional love that can be equal to many human friends and confidants.
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Help Them To Handle Changes Before They Happen
Cats are creatures of habit. Routine is important to them, so anything that disrupts this can leave them feeling stressed. Whether youre planning to move house, have building work completed or welcome a new baby into your home, preparing your cat for the changes reduces the risk of stress. During house moves and improvements, cats are often much better temporarily staying in a cattery to keep them calm. With new babies, you can get your cat prepared for their new arrival with our advice guide, which includes getting them familiar with baby sounds and how to make the nursery off-limits. Visit for a month-by-month guide.
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Do Cats Help With Depression And Anxiety
Did you know that millions of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders and/or depression, or most oftentimes both?
Its highly likely that either yourself or someone you know, is currently experiencing either one of these. Its serious. Its an illness. And there are thousands of medication brands out there on the market that can help or reduce anxiety/depression symptoms. However, many of the people we know who suffer from these illnesses do not like the idea of having to take drugs in order to just get through their day.
So then I tell them this: get a cat.
And they say, What, why would I get a cat how could a cat help me if medication cant? and then I go on saying loads of jargon only a cat-lover would say.
But all jokes aside, to answer the impending question which just so happens to also be the title for this post YES, cats do in fact help with depression and anxiety. Thank you for asking!
In fact, not only do cats help but also other pets can help with those suffering from depression or anxiety. These animals can be associated with emotional support animals .
If you have anxiety, its possible in some cases to have a doctor prescribe your pet as an emotional support animal who is allowed to come with you where most animals are not allowed.
Watch this informational video about a college student with anxiety who lives with his ESA cockatoo in his on-campus dorm.
My Cat Struggles When I Try To Put Her Into Her Carrier Do You Have Any Tips
For most cats, the only time they ever see their carrier is when it is brought out immediately before going to the vet. Even if nothing unpleasant happened to the cat during the veterinary visit, that carrier will be associated with the car ride and the unfamiliar sounds and smells of the average veterinary office. It is these stress-inducing associations that cause cats to resist getting into the carrier.
You can help your cat get over the fear of a carrier by developing positive associations between the carrier and positive experiences.
You can help your cat get over the fear of a carrier by developing positive associations between the carrier and positive experiences. The first thing to do is to avoid storing the carrier in the garage or basement and only bringing it out when a trip to the veterinarian is imminent. Instead, open the door or remove the top and keep the carrier out in an area where your cat likes to sleep or play. This way, the cat can begin to associate it with the familiar sights and scents of home. Set it up as your cats own private sleeping quarters or private dining room by placing her cat bed or her food and water dishes in the carrier. Or simply use the carrier as the spot where she gets treats.
If your cat already has negative associations with the current carrier that you are using, consider purchasing a new carrier that does not resemble the old one.
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Stress Reduction Benefits From Petting Dogs Cats
- Date:
- Washington State University
- Summary:
- Just 10 minutes of interacting with cats and dogs produced a significant reduction in students’ cortisol, a major stress hormone.
College is stressful. Students have classes, papers, and exams. But they also often have work, bills to pay, and so many other pressures common in modern life.
Many universities have instituted “Pet Your Stress Away” programs, where students can come in and interact with cats and/or dogs to help alleviate some of the strain.
Scientists at Washington State University have recently demonstrated that, in addition to improving students’ moods, these programs can actually get “under the skin” and have stress-relieving physiological benefits.
“Just 10 minutes can have a significant impact,” said Patricia Pendry, an associate professor in WSU’s Department of Human Development. “Students in our study that interacted with cats and dogs had a significant reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone.”
Pendry published these findings with WSU graduate student Jaymie Vandagriff last month in AERA Open, an open access journal published by the American Educational Research Association.
This is the first study that has demonstrated reductions in students’ cortisol levels during a real-life intervention rather than in a laboratory setting.
Those students waited for their turn quietly for 10 minutes without their phones, reading materials, or other stimuli, but were told they would experience animal interaction soon.
Signs Of Cats Feeling Stressed And What You Can Do About It
Just like humans, cats are prone to stress although it might be tricky to tell if your cat is feeling unsettled.
Cats are subtle in their body language, so youll need to keep an eye on them to ensure they are content.
Signs of stress can include:
- becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual
- becoming less tolerant of people
- hesitating or becoming reluctant of using the litter tray, going through the cat flap, sitting on your lap eating or drinking less
- overeating
- a scruffy or matted coat
- house soiling
- over-grooming
If you already know that your cat is struggling with stress, it can be difficult to know what to do to help. In aid of Stress Awareness Month, weve put together our top five tips for reducing your cats stress, so you can make sure youve got a calm kitty.
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In Other Words The Literal Simple Act Of Petting Your Cat Can Lower Your Stress Levels So Much That It Might Even Protect You From Long
Plus, according to Chelsea Hudson, a therapist at Cityscape Counseling in Chicago, petting your cat doesn’t just biologically calm your nervous system. “Simply interacting with your cat can invoke strong feelings of connection,” she tells Elite Daily, “which lowers stress because intimate connection leads one to feeling less alone and better able to cope with stress.”
Hudson also points out that cats are loyal creatures who provide unconditional love, and can help moderate stress levels by providing a safe escape to receive love and loyalty in spite of external stressors. “Taking care of a cat gives people a sense of purpose and also acts as a distraction to one’s own problems,” she explains. “Both ‘finding purpose’ and distraction are common stress-reduction techniques.”
And, listen, while all of these positive benefits are specific to cats, if you’re simply not that into the feline friends of the world, there’s also research out there that demonstrates very similar advantages to having, and interacting with a dog â actually, like, eerily similar advantages: A 2017 study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that owning a dog is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers wrote that dogs may have this effect on us because they provide “social support and motivation for physical activity,” which in turn leads to those tangible, long-term health effects.
Review Your Cats Environment
Just as humans need peace and calm, when they are stressed, so do cats. Turn the television down and make sure that any other loud noise, especially shouting or screaming from young children, is kept to a minimum. Let your cat rest in a quiet location and make it as comfortable as possible for him.
As an absolute bare minimum, you should give your cat his own condo, so that he can hide away, whenever he wants to. Also, provide him with a suitable scratching post. In the UK, it is illegal to declaw your cat. Scratching is a means of relieving stress. Ensure your cat scratching post is stable and tall enough for your cat when fully stretched out. Many people make the mistake of buying cat posts that are actually too small for fully grown cats.
Also ensure that your has easy access to food, water and a litter tray. Cats tend not to like sharing litter trays, so make sure that you have enough to accommodate all of them.
It is not normally advisable to radically change your cat’s diet. However, when a cat is stressed, his food may be a little too rich for him to digest properly. Switching to a bland diet, for a short period of time, may help and there are several specialist dry cat foods which are specifically formulated for sensitive stomachs.
Addiionally, remember that if your cat does engage in inappropriate behaviour, do not shout or hit him. He cant help it and disciplining a cat like this will only serve to increase the intensity of his anxiety.
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Why Does My Cat Aggressively Cuddle Me
What motivates her to s she do this? Joys behavior is categorized as petting-induced aggression, which is confusing to me. Cats who are handled suddenly bite their teeth when they reach their tolerance levels. Overstimulation or her preference for petting her can cause her to become hypersensitive.
Owning A Cat Can Bring Unconditional Love And Companionship To Your Life Having A Feline Friend Can Also Help To Relieve Stress And Improve Your Heart Health
Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding relationship. A cat has the ability to both calm your nervous system and provide an immediate outlet for fun and play. Although cats are independent animals who like to scavenge and explore on their own terms, they are also very affectionate with their owners and people they trust.
Most cats love to curl up in your lap at the end of a long day while you watch television or read a book. The simplicity of this act can cause an automatic release of all the right kinds of chemicals to your brain, allowing you to ease into the evening without the weight of the world on your shoulders. Any cat owner will tell you just how much their furry friend helps them to relax and unwind. While many people enjoy the company of dogs, a cat can be more of an acquired tastebut once acquired, its a hard taste to lose.
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Make Sure All Your Cats Needs Are Met
This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised at how cat owners can be unaware of cats needs not being met.
- A nutritious, sufficient, and cat-appropriate diet that is adequate to your cats life stage and activity levels.
- Unlimited access to clean and fresh water.
- One or two litter boxes that are big enough, in a safe and calm place, and always clean. Your cat should like the litter, and it should not have any unpleasant scents or textures.
- A comfortable and safe space to sleep. Cats like places that provide shelter and comfort while having a good view of the environment. Check out the Heppers Pod Bed that ticks all these boxes.
- A scratching place to help keep the claws in a perfect state.
- Physical and mental stimulation, easily provided by a variety of toys. Regularly rotating the cats toys help to keep them interesting and engaging.
- Love and affection. While cats might seem cold and distant, it needs your love and affection just like any other living being. But be aware of your cats limits and dont overwhelm it. If your cat comes by looking for attention and a snuggle, make your best effort to provide it.
- Most cats are solitary creatures that need to have their personal space. Kids all over them or having to share space with other pets can be very stressful to cats. Ensure the cat always has access to some personal time and space when it needs it.
Calming Effect Of Cats
According to recent research, your relationship with your cat may also provide you with a lot more than mere pleasure it can also have an enormously calming and relaxing effect. Recent medical research has shown that the effect of owning a pet can be so remarkable that it can actually help to reduce a persons blood pressure. As a result, some hospitals, hospices and homes for the elderly now recognise the therapeutic value of animals.
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The Benefits Of Pets For Older Adults
As well as providing vital companionship, owning a pet can play an important role in healthy aging by helping you to:
Find meaning and joy in life. As you age, youll lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. You may retire from your career or your children may move far away. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure and help boost your morale, optimism, and sense of self-worth. Choosing to adopt a pet from a shelter, especially an older pet, can add to your sense of fulfillment, knowing that youve provided a home to a pet that may otherwise have been euthanized.
Stay connected. Maintaining a social network isnt always easy as you grow older. Retirement, illness, death, and relocation can take away close friends and family members. And making new friends can get harder. Pets, especially dogs, are a great way for older adults to spark up conversations and meet new people.
Boost your vitality. You can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by taking good care of yourself. Dogs, cats, and other pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and exercise, which can help boost your immune system and increase your energy.
How pets help adults with Alzheimers disease or dementia
As part of the disease, Alzheimers patients may exhibit a variety of behavioral problems, many related to an inability to deal with stress.
