There seems to be something magical about a cat’s purring…that steady, rhythmic tempo that seems to emit a symphony of its own. In a way, it can be quite comforting, not just to the cat, but to YOU! Believe it or not, there is power in that purring, and recent studies have suggested a contented, purring cat in your presence can drop high blood pressure to within normal range, decrease stress, improve self-confidence and eliminate feelings of loneliness. Cats do have super powers beyond the proverbial nine lives! They can help us to heal physically, mentally and emotionally. Scientists are also discovering cats can help conquer disease and help people deal with chronic medical conditions.
Veterinarian/author Marty Becker wrote about this power of pets in his book, the Healing Power of Pets.He pointed to a biochemical impact pets have on their owners’ body chemistry. He interviewed a range of medical experts to come to this conclusion, setting forth a host of scientific studies that support such a biological basis for what we have always thought. We CAN become healthier by interacting in a positive manner with our cats. Of course, it is fairly obvious on the surface. When you pet your cat in a calm and relaxed manner, don’t you instantly feel less stressed and more relaxed?
It is no surprise, then, some medical doctors recommend “pet prescriptions to their patients who are alone and need companionship. Pets have proven to motivate and inspire people to put forth their best effort when dealing with serious illnesses, including cancer. Further, when one has a pet to care for, it can also inspire that person to take better care of himself/herself at the same time.
One question we might have, however, is this: Why do cats purr in the first place? Cats may purr when they are happy, hungry, feeling cuddly or just plain scared. Researchers think this is a voluntary act as opposed to instinctive, which suggests cats purr on purpose. Cats seem to intuitively know how we are feeling, so if your cat purrs around you, take advantage of the “medicine” at hand and use it to heal yourself and improve your overall sense of well-being!
Source: care2.com/Melissa Breyer
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
