Living with cats can be good for your physical and mental health – but it’s not without risks

Cats have lived with humans for thousands of years. Long before cat memes and viral TikToks took over the internet, they have been comforting us with their purrs and making us laugh with their hilarious antics.

But what does the research say – are cats good for us?

Living with a cat can have a profound – and sometimes surprising – effect on our physical and mental health. However, living with cats is not without risks.

Part of the family

You may have heard that cats don’t have owners, they have “staff”. In fact, many studies show that roommates feel like beloved relatives.

In a survey of 1,800 Dutch cat owners, half said their cat was family. One in three considered their cat a child or best friend and found them loyal, supportive and compassionate.

Another US study developed a “family bondedness scale” and found cats to be as important a part of families as dogs.

Many cats prefer human interaction to food or play. And they can distinguish when we talk to them (rather than someone else).

In fact, we adapt. Cats have the opportunity to approach strangers who start giving “kitty kisses” – to narrow your eyes and blink slowly. And research suggests that cats have developed unique meows that match our upbringing.

What does this close relationship mean for health outcomes?

A sense of purpose

Owning a pet is associated with isolation. And some cat owners say that “giving a cat” increases their sense of happiness and purpose.

But the benefits of a relationship can depend on how you relate to your cat.

Another study looked at different types of relationships between humans and cats, including “distance”, “passion” and “dependence”. It found people whose relationship with their cat was mutual or as a friend had a higher emotional connection with their pet.

Links to heart health

People who own – or have owned – a cat have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart attack. This result has been replicated in several studies.

However the problem with interpreting demographic studies is that they only tell us about society. This means that although people who own cats have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, we cannot say for sure that cats are the cause.

Owning cats is also associated with other positive changes in the gut microbiota, especially in women, such as improved blood sugar control and reduced inflammation.

It helps mental health

Owning a cat or dog is also associated with higher psychological well-being. For people with depression, petting or playing with their cat has been shown to reduce symptoms (although this was only for a short period of time, two hours and cannot be transferred to the long term ).

Another way to find out about the health impact of cats is qualitative research: asking people what their cats mean to them, beyond numbers.

When my colleagues and I did research on veterans, we found people who were attached to pets had poorer mental health scores. But their survey responses told a different story. One respondent said, “my cats are the reason I get up in the morning”.

Another wrote: “I consider my pet a service animal. My cat helps me relax when I’m dealing with my anxiety, depression or when I wake up at night from nightmares that I have frequently. My cat is not just a pet, my cat is part of me, my cat is part of my family.

It may be that the warriors were more attached to their cats because they had a better mental health – and depended on their cats more for comfort – rather than the other way around. one.

Mental health problems

It is possible to bond with your cat if there are problems. If your cat is sick, the burden of caring for them can have a negative impact on your mental health.

In our study of owners whose cats had epilepsy, about a third had clinical burden as caregivers that could interfere with the activity of see the daily.

Toxoplasmosis

Cats can also carry zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

They are prime hosts for toxoplasmosis, a virus excreted in cat feces that can infect other mammals, including humans. Feral cats that hunt for their food are more likely to carry the parasite than domestic cats.

Most people have mild flu-like symptoms. But infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, or cause problems in the baby including blindness and confusion.

Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. It is recommended that these groups do not empty the litter trays, or use gloves if they must. Changing the litter tray daily prevents germs from reaching a level that can infect humans.

Getting sick

About one in five people have an allergy to cats and this is increasing.

When cats lick their fur, their saliva releases a substance that prevents disease. When their fur and skin (skin flaps) fall off, they can cause an allergic reaction.

People who are immunocompromised can still live with cats if they wash their hands regularly, clean surfaces and vacuum to remove dander. They can also introduce cats to areas they want to be free of allergens, such as bedrooms.

Although cats can cause allergic reactions, there is also evidence that contact with cats can have a protective role in preventing asthma and changing allergic reactions. This is because exposure can alter the immune system, making it less likely to develop antibodies.

Susan Hazel is Associate Professor, School of Zoology and Animal Science, University of Adelaide.

This article was first published on Conversation.