When your feeling tired and stressed you may just want to flop down in a chair and push away the dog or cat with a “leave me alone.” Yet studies have shown that our faithful pet wants to help us, sensing when we’re in need of some love and healing.
A 1994 Australian study has shown that dog and cat owners go to the doctors less often, and are less likely to be on medication for heart problems and sleeping difficulties than non-owners.
Dogs
The study looked at whether owning a pet could reduce national health expenditure. It estimates that in 1995 dog ownership saved Australia $988 million in health care costs.
Research has shown that owning a dog can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol; lower triglyceride levels; lessen stress; and alleviate depression. Apparently, children raised with dogs are less likely to develop allergies later in life.
Dogs are non-judgemental, unconditional and always pleased to see us. They don’t expect any conversation, just gratefully receive whatever tit-bit of attention we’re prepared to give. In return, they’ll give you whatever you need: warm, soft fur to stroke; melting eyes; a lick and a nuzzle, that helps to open our heart and make us smile despite ourselves; or a wild run with the wind just for the joy of it.
Cats
It may surprise some to know that cat’s have different purrs to suit their mood and the occasion. If our cat’s happy to see us, it’ll purr with pleasure, especially when you pick him up to have a cuddle. And with some practice you can read your cat’s mood from his purr ranging from a deep rumble to a high-pitched trill sound. It’s been suggested that if a cat purrs when under stress it’s sounding the OM to help it to relax. Sometimes the cat’s purr drops to around 26 hertz, which sounds like an idling diesel engine.
A cat’s purr lies between 25 and 150 hertz and it’s been discovered that this range of sound frequency can stimulate bone growth and healing. Research on cat owners has found that, like dog owners, they have lower blood pressure than those who don’t have a pet. So, if you start purring along with your feline friend, it may be as good for you as meditation.
Sources:
Headey, Bruce “Health Benefits and Health Cost Savings Due to Pets: Preliminary Estimates from an Australian National Survey” Social Indicators Research, Volume47, Number 2 / June, 1999 233,234
Why do cats purr? Scientificamerican.com
Why do cats purr? Scientificamerican.com
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