If you’re already lucky enough to own a cat, you know that the best days start with your four-legged family member meowing and weaving at your feet while you prepare their breakfast. For those still considering getting a cat, the best is yet to come.
Cats bring us joy every day, but what many of us don’t realize is that they come with an array of hidden benefits when we invite them into our homes. With health professionals and research publications continuously revealing new reasons to appreciate cats, the purr-ks are undeniable.
“I have long believed pets overall, but cats in particular, provide stability in a variety of situations wherein people might need structure and routine,” says Devra S. Gordon, licensed clinical social worker and award-winning author. “The ability to name our emotions and communicate how we feel to others plays an integral role in having our needs met. Cats can help humans to increase awareness of the existence of our own complex emotions.”
Key takeaways
- Having a cat offers humans a bevy of mental, emotional and physical health benefits — and experts agree.
- Cats have been proven to help reduce allergies and anxiety, encourage child development, promote good habits and even improve heart health
- A qualified rescue organization or shelter worker can help you find the right cat to fit your lifestyle and needs.
Is a cat the right pet for you?
The benefits of having a cat apply to people of all ages, activity levels and lifestyles. “At Alaqua Animal Refuge, we’ve seen firsthand how the right pet can transform someone’s life,” says Laurie Hood, founder of no-kill shelter Alaqua Animal Refuge. “Many of our rescued cats have gone on to become therapy animals or cherished companions in homes where they bring comfort and joy.”
Even so, becoming a cat owner is a commitment to care for a living being for years, possibly decades. Though they adapt well to humans who work full-time and don’t mind being left alone, they still need daily care, love and mental stimulation.
Adopting multiple cats can be a smart choice for some busy humans. “Cats that grow up together often keep each other entertained, reducing boredom and loneliness, especially in homes where people are away during the day,” says Hood. “However, it’s important to consider the financial and time commitment before adopting multiple cats. If adopting adult cats, making sure their personalities are compatible is key to a smooth transition.”
Benefits of having a cat
What cats require from their humans, they return many times over. Whether you adopt one, two or a whole clowder, these perks are subtle, snowballing boosts for your overall well-being.
“Their calm presence can be incredibly grounding, offering emotional support without the demands of higher-maintenance pets.”
— Laurie Hood, founder, Alaqua Animal Refuge
1. Cats provide grounding for those with anxiety
Regularly spending time with your cat, be it with snuggles, playtime or just being together, can have an uplifting effect on your mental and emotional well-being. Over 86% of cat owners surveyed in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly Poll in 2023 said their cat has a mostly positive impact on their mental health. “Engaging with animals is nature’s way of reassuring us that we are not alone,” says Moti Gamburd, CEO of Raya’s Paradise.
“Their calm presence can be incredibly grounding, offering emotional support without the demands of higher-maintenance pets,” agrees Hood.
2. Cats help bridge connections between people
Even when they can’t join you as you venture out into the world, simply owning a cat can make it easier to forge connections with others, especially for those who struggle with social anxiety. For people of all ages and all walks of life, you can start a conversation with anyone by telling a story about your cat or exchanging photos of your beloved beast.
Gamburd emphasizes how this effect extends to residents in senior living communities. “People who may struggle with memory loss or have difficulty initiating conversations suddenly find common ground through a shared love for the cat that roams the halls.”
3. Cats are a kid’s best friend
While dogs and kids make the best of buds, kids raised with cats share a friendship that’s just as special. A cat’s love must be earned through trust and respect. Bonding with a cat is a powerful way for kids to learn to pick up on boundaries and nonverbal communication. Kids who care for cats are set up for a deeply rewarding relationship.
“Cats provide emotional comfort and can help children develop social and emotional skills, particularly for those who may struggle with anxiety or sensory sensitivities,” says Hood. “For children with autism or special needs, a cat’s calm and predictable nature can be very soothing.”
“For children especially, cats can be the keepers of private thoughts and worries. While cats have the reputation of silently judging us, they also can be neutral when there is a disagreement among humans and be comforting and not particularly care about the outcome of a disagreement,” says Gordon.
4. Cats encourage us to take self-care breaks
Cat experts have long advised pet parents to keep interactions short and sweet, especially with felines who get overwhelmed by prolonged petting — a common trigger for playful love bites. A cat’s preference for low-intensity, high-frequency interactions means they’re a great match for those who may struggle to remember to take self-care breaks.
Erin Simpson, founder of Wildcat Living, notes that this has been a godsend for working from home with ADHD. “Getting up to spend 3-5 minutes playing with a cat is a great way to get up, move around and get myself refocused in the work day.”
5. Cats help their humans keep routines
For those struggling with executive function, depression or even just maintaining a structured schedule, cats are excellent motivational pawtners. With a finely tuned internal clock, your cat will always let you know when it’s time to eat, play and go to sleep. “With moderate to severe depression, folks often wind up experiencing ‘bed rot.’ Having a cat means needing to get out of bed to feed the cat,” says Gordon. “Cats tend to want to be fed and can be demanding divas when it comes to their meal times.” Their ability to hold their humans accountable for sticking to a schedule is a handy side-effect of their timely appetite.
“For me, the daily tasks of caring for my cats serve as my anchor point, since I have to stick to these no matter what, every single day. That fact alone, and knowing they are depending on me, has helped me then ‘habit stack’ and add on non-pet things across work, home and self-care that I wasn’t able to before,” says Simpson. “For example, I take my supplements when I feed my cats in the morning, and I go on a quick daily walk outside when I clean the litter boxes in the afternoon.”
“Adopting a cat from a shelter not only saves a life but also creates a meaningful bond that can bring health and happiness to both the cat and their human.”
— Laurie Hood
6. Cats are good for the heart
Multiple research studies suggest cats are good for the heart… literally! The American Heart Association champions pet ownership as a potential stress reliever and heart-healthy choice for pet parents of all ages, citing decades of international research studies. While it’s not clear why cats have a positive effect on heart health, it could be a combination of their gift of daily laughter, stress relief and anxiety relief that enables them to loan their nine lives to their favorite humans.
7. Cats can help protect against allergies
While cat ownership might not be possible for individuals with severe allergies, cats can actually offer immune system benefits when introduced early in life. Studies have shown that children who share a home with a cat during their first year are less likely to develop allergies, eczema and asthma. For example, a questionnaire-based study published by the University of Gothenburg researchers in 2018 found that while one pet can be beneficial, a child’s chances of developing allergies were virtually eliminated in households with five or more animals.
8. Cats are relatively low-maintenance pets
It feels nice to be needed, and a cat offers just that without the high level of care that might make a high-touch pet like a dog impractical. They don’t let you forget a meal, they don’t need walks and daily care can be simplified with automatic litter boxes and feeders. While they do require annual vet visits and various levels of care at different stages of life, a cat is a laid-back pet that many owners feel offers the perfect balance of neediness and independence.
9. You’ll give a cat a loving home for life
According to Shelter Animals Count, over 3 million cats are taken into shelters across the United States each year. Adopting a cat means giving an animal a loving home and possibly even saving a life. Choosing an older cat over a kitten can offer the perfect balance of low-maintenance companionship. That said, even an adult cat may have ten to fifteen years of life and love to share. If you’re not sure if you’re ready for the commitment, Hood recommends visiting a cat cafe, fostering or volunteering.
“Shelter workers and rescue organizations can help guide adopters toward the best fit based on their lifestyle and emotional needs — whether it’s a playful kitten, a cuddly lap cat or a low-maintenance companion for a busy household,” says Hood. “Adopting a cat from a shelter not only saves a life but also creates a meaningful bond that can bring health and happiness to both the cat and their human. If you’re considering adding a feline friend to your family, visiting a local shelter is the best place to start!”
