Benefits of Cat Therapy

Animals are present in the lives of many people. Although the idea of ​​attending a psychological clinic to talk to a professional who can help us manage our problems is well known, there are currently other effective methods to deal with everyday difficulties. In this sense, domestic animals can be our allies in complex moments.

If we think more carefully about cats, we will realize that they are animals that can awaken a wide variety of sensations in us. Have you ever thought about the fact that they can be a therapeutic aid? If you want to know more details, in this PsychologyFor article, we will provide you with information about the benefits of cat therapy

What is cat therapy

Cat therapy is a therapeutic approach which is used to treat stress, low self-esteem and anxiety from the patient’s interaction with a cat When the encounter occurs, it produces numerous beneficial effects that have a positive impact on the person’s life.

Furthermore, we must keep in mind that the improvement in psychological health that cat therapy provides provides both physical and mental well-being, since body and mind are interrelated.

Reduce stre

The most recent research affirms that the interaction between humans and felines reduces stress levels. Thus, cat therapy relax our mind, since the repetitive and incessant thoughts that plague us cease to be relevant for a time. In addition, it also promotes a decrease in muscle tension thanks to the different movements performed with the feline.

Helps channel negative emotion

Many times, we live in situations in which we feel sad and this prevents us from carrying out our activities correctly. Cat therapy allows gmanage negative emotions in a more pleasant way since the company of a feline makes it possible to deal with loneliness and awaken other hidden interests thanks to the bond with the animal.

If you want to learn more about how to manage emotions, don’t miss this article.

Improves quality of life in autistic people

Autism, along with other pathologies, is one of the conditions whose symptoms include communication and social relationship difficulties. In this sense, autistic people have great difficulty understanding other people’s emotions. Given this, it has been shown that cat therapy is a vehicle that Improves quality of life since cats are a company that is not intrusive for them.

Promotes responsibility

Living with a cat not only offers company, but also implies a high degree of responsibility, since you have to take care of it well In other words, it is essential to provide food, pay attention to its health or play with it, among other things.

For this reason, another of the benefits of cat therapy is that the presence of this animal increases the human being’s sense of responsibility, a value that can be extrapolated to other situations.

trengthens the immune system

It is well known that our body is exposed to a multiplicity of viruses and bacteria every day. However, it should be noted that the emotional factor plays an important role, since it affects the way we defend ourselves against pathogens.

For this reason, contact with cats can optimize the functioning of the immune system of humans. One of the benefits of cat therapy is that these animals promote production of hormones intended to protect the body

Improve social skill

When we are in contact with a cat we also express the way in which we relate to the environment. Although they are not people, cats can activate the social skills of human beings. In other words, cat therapy is a space that offers us the possibility of implement modalities of interaction with other people.

Reduces the chances of heart attack

There are studies that show that cat therapy promotes general well-being of the person who adopts these animals. In general terms, living with cats reduces the chances of suffering heart attacks, since it stabilizes stress levels and reduces the effects of negative emotions on the body.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Benefits of cat therapy we recommend that you enter our Emotions category.

Bibliography

• Oropesa Roblejo, P., García Wilson, I., Puente Saní, V., Matute Gaínza, Y. (2009). Animal-assisted therapy as a source of resource in rehabilitative treatment. MEDISAN Magazine, 13 (6), 1-10.
• Sastre Martínez, M. (2015). The benefits of cats in depression. Myth or Reality. University of the Balearic Islands, Faculty of Psychology.