Paging Dr. Cat by K. Jai Estes

Study Finds Cats Make Owners Healthier

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind."  - Cleveland Amory

"In the beginning, God created man, but seeing him so feeble, He gave him the cat." - Warren Eckstein

"Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God." - Unknown

Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that people who were not cat owners had a 30 to 40 percent greater likelihood to contract cardiovascular disease such as strokes and heart attacks than those who owned cats. The 20-year study also pointed out that people who owned dogs or did not own cats had the same rate of risk. Dr. Adnan Qureshi, executive director of the Stroke Center at the University of Minnesota, announced the findings at the 2008 International Stroke Conference in New Orleans.

Dr. Qureshi stated, "This study links pet ownership to health consequences, and that's a very new concept that we haven't previously considered.” And as for the health benefits provided by cats compared to dogs? “We don’t understand this completely. It’s probably not a coincidence,” said Qureshi.

Of course, it’s not a coincidence. Cats have long been revered to have powers to heal humans. The ancient Egyptians strongly believed in the healing and mystical powers of felines. The Dutch, Japanese, Scottish and English also believed in the many healing powers of the cat.

Ask any loyal cat owner about their experiences with their cat’s healing power, and they will all have a wonderful story to tell you. Cats have a way of tapping into your emotions and your physical and mental state. They are one of the most, if not thee most perceptive creatures to walk the earth. Cats are the mighty observers, and they were given healing powers not only to help themselves but their human counterparts, as well.

My first cat, Shadow, was a small, gray Norwegian Forest cat. She was diminutive in stature, but a giant in character and perception. Not only was she there for me in happy times, but also, she was there when sickness arose. Shadow knew when I was not feeling well. No matter what ailment I incurred she knew how to help. She would lie on my stomach when it was painful. She wrapped around my head at night when I had a headache. In other words, she knew how to bring comfort to me and knew how to take away the pain.

I believe in the healing powers of our furry felines, and it doesn’t take a scientific study to prove it to me. Cats are remarkable creatures who possess a gift from a higher being. No study will ever be able to figure out what that gift is because it is something intangible, something bigger than us all.

References:  Maura Larner, Minneapolis Star Tribune; Audrey Grayson, ABC New Medical , The Tampa Tribune; Pawprints & Purrs, Inc.