1. Help your cardiovascular system
Studies at the University of Minnesota determined those who did not own cats were 30-40% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than cat owners were. (Sorry, dog owners, you don’t see the same benefit.) The chance of death from sudden heart attack is reduced, too, for cat owners. A study funded by the NIH determined that pet owners were more likely than non-owners to survive a heart attack, regardless of the severity of that attack. Other research suggests that owning a cat compares favorably with going on a low-salt diet for reducing heart disease risk.
2. Help your immune system
3. Avoid allergies and respiratory problems
4. Lower your blood pressure
5. Lower your cholesterol and triglycerides
Diet and exercise go a long way toward reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but owning a cat helps, too. A 2006 Canadian study found owning a cat lowered cholesterol better than even some medications.
6. Reduce your stroke risk
7. Heal your bones and muscles
8. Reduce anxiety and stress
9. Improve your mood, relieve depression
10. Reduce loneliness
11. Therapy pets reduce medical expenses
12. Exercise
