16 Things Your Cats Do for You Without You Knowing

Summary

Cats do much more for us than just being adorable companions. From comforting us when we're sad to lowering stress levels and boosting our immune systems, these intelligent creatures have a significant impact on our well-being. They protect us while we sleep, keep pests at bay, and even help us live longer. Cats show their affection by greeting us, healing wounds with their purring, and providing companionship. This video explores 16 ways your cat helps you every day, demonstrating how these furry friends truly enhance our lives in ways we might never even notice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cats comfort their owners when they're sad by sensing emotional cues like frowns, crying, or a sad tone of voice.
• 😀 Petting and cuddling cats can reduce stress and anxiety, leading to the release of oxytocin, which helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• 😀 Owning a cat may increase your attractiveness, as studies show women are more likely to be attracted to men who like animals, especially cats.
• 😀 Cats greet you when you come home with a meow, which is a special vocalization they reserve for human interaction, not used between adult cats.
• 😀 The sound of a cat's purr is associated with therapeutic benefits, including improving bone density and tendon repair due to vibrations at a frequency of 25 to 150 Hz.
• 😀 Cats lick their owners as a form of grooming and social bonding, marking them with their scent to show they care and to strengthen the human-cat relationship.
• 😀 Cats can detect when you're sick by sensing chemical changes in your body and may become more clingy or attentive to provide comfort.
• 😀 Cats sleep close to their owners at night for warmth and safety, and to show affection. This behavior helps protect both you and your cat.
• 😀 Cats help control pests, including rodents and insects like flies and spiders, making them natural-born exterminators in your home.
• 😀 Studies suggest that cat owners live longer, as having a cat helps alleviate tension, reduce loneliness, and lower blood pressure.
• 😀 Cats can boost the immune system, especially in children, reducing the risk of allergies and illnesses by stimulating immune responses.
• 😀 Cats offer emotional companionship and can help reduce feelings of social isolation, providing the same emotional support as a romantic partner in some cases.

Q & A

How do cats comfort their owners when they're feeling sad?

Cats can sense when their owners are sad or anxious through visual and auditory cues, such as a frown or a sad tone of voice. They often respond by coming closer, purring, or rubbing against their owner to provide comfort and emotional support.

How does petting a cat reduce stress and anxiety?

Petting a cat triggers the release of oxytocin in the brain, a feel-good chemical that promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and even lowers blood pressure. This bonding activity can help lower the risk of heart disease.

How can owning a cat make a person more attractive?

Research has shown that women are more likely to be attracted to men who like animals, and men who like cats are often seen as kinder and more caring. Listing a cat as a pet on a dating profile could increase interest, although it’s important to remember that a cat is a lifelong commitment.

Why do cats meow when they greet their owners?

Adult cats typically don’t meow to other cats, but they keep this vocalization to communicate with their humans. Cats meow to greet their owners when they come home, signaling a warm welcome rather than asking for something.

How does a cat’s purring help with healing?

A cat's purring creates vibrations at a frequency of 25 to 150 Hertz, which studies suggest can promote healing in human bones and muscles, improving bone density, repairing tendons, and aiding in overall physical recovery.

What does it mean when a cat licks you?

When a cat licks you, it’s a sign of affection and social bonding. Cats often lick their humans to groom them, marking them with their scent to establish their social group. It’s a way of showing that they care and strengthening the relationship.

Can cats sense when their owners are sick?

Yes, cats have an acute sense of smell that allows them to detect chemical changes in a person's body due to illness. Many cats respond to a sick owner by becoming more clingy or attentive, and there have been reports of cats saving their owners from serious medical events like seizures or heart attacks.

Why do cats sleep next to their owners?

Cats sleep near their owners because they are instinctively aware of the vulnerability of both themselves and their humans while sleeping. Sleeping close by also helps share warmth, and it’s a way for cats to show affection and care.

How do cats help control pests in the home?

Cats are natural hunters and help control pests like rodents and insects around the house. They are particularly effective at hunting small creatures such as mice, rats, flies, and spiders, offering a natural form of pest control.

Can having a cat improve your health or longevity?

Studies suggest that cat owners may live longer than those without pets. Having a cat can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, alleviate loneliness, and help with emotional well-being, all of which contribute to a longer and healthier life.

How do cats boost the immune system, especially in children?

Research has shown that children who grow up with cats have stronger immune systems and are less likely to develop common allergies. Exposure to pet dander helps to stimulate and strengthen the immune system, offering better protection against bacteria, viruses, and allergens.

What role do cats play in providing companionship?

Cats offer valuable companionship, especially for those feeling socially isolated. Their constant affection and cuddles can be emotionally fulfilling, and studies have found that having a cat in the house can provide the emotional support equivalent to that of a romantic partner.