The Mental Health Benefits of Cats - How our feline friends keep our minds purring

A recent survey on pets and mental health by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 84% of pet owners reported that their pets had a positive impact on their mental health. For twothirds of survey participants, the companionship pets offered was key to a positive mindset. Howard Liu, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Communications, an adult and child psychiatrist and chair of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry, says feline companionship may be especially beneficial and meaningful for people struggling with anxiety, depression and autism spectrum disorder as well as people who have a history of trauma. Of course, cats aren't a magic pill, Dr. Liu says: "Every person and every cat is unique, so owning a pet is not a guarantee of better mental health." However, people who live with chronic mental health conditions often list spending time with their cats as a coping strategy for when they are sad, anxious or frightened.

- By Sassafras Lowrey, CPDT-KA

Cats might have a reputation for being aloof, but they can be deeply bonded to their people-and experts say they could offer something even more powerful than loyalty. You've probably noticed it yourself: Spending quality time with a cat can make you feel less stressed, more relaxed and generally...better. In fact, whether you regularly struggle with anxiety or you are just feeling down in the moment, a cat can be an excellent source of social support.

Cats Help Us Cope