The research done on the correlation between spending time with a pet and having better than average health is conclusive. A study conducted at Brooklyn College in New York followed a number of heart disease sufferers after they were discharged from the hospital. The single social factor that was shown to be the strongest predictor of survival was pet ownership. Other studies have proved that citizens who put time into dog care or cat care visited their general practitioners less frequently than non pet-owners, and were less likely to require prescription drugs. Because of the mental stimulation and positive emotions associated with spending time with a pet, treatment centers and retirement homes across the nation are encouraging people to bring pets to visit residents who are in recovery. This suggests that even short term exposure to a cat or dog can have positive health benefits. If this is the case, just imagine what spending time with a cat every day can do for your body and your mind!

As an aside pets are also used in prisons where contact between pet and inmate has improved the behavior patterns and tendencies of the inmate involved. This is more proof that pets have such ab influence on the well being of their handler or owner. Who can forget the ‘Birdman of Alcatraz’ and his care of birds.

Some experts theorize that the reason why engaging in hands on care of a cat can both increase your life span and improve your health has to do with the simple fact that cat care offers you stability.
Cat care is a daily activity that requires you to spend at least a little bit of time each day sharing love and affection with another living being. This gives your day a little bit of structure that can help you stay calm and focused no matter what life throws at you. Pet care is a regular, steady routine that can help you stay motivated and focused on making progress in all arenas of your life.

Daily care of your pet can help you feel positive and confident, two traits which research suggest can greatly improve your chances of beating a disease or making a speedy recovery from a medical procedure. Offering your pet loving care is a boon to your health because it makes you feel like a great person every single day. The love your cat shows you when you provide top shelf care can help you shake off negative feelings and emotions like sadness or anger. Cat care can help you manage stress and keep an upbeat attitude.

What all of this research adds up to is that pet care is good for your health. Making cat care a part of your routine can help you take a positive, enjoyable step towards a healthier lifestyle in the present and the future. The better care that you can provide for your pet, the more affection and happiness your pet can offer you in return. Think of great cat care as a way to say thank you to your cat for the health benefits that it offers you.

One important part of making cat care fun is taking enough time to enjoy it.  If you whip through your care routine with one eye on the clock at all times, you won’t be able to fully appreciate the experience of being with your pet. Try thinking of your pet’s care as a chance to relax and escape the hassles of daily life. Put on your favorite CD and relax as you complete care tasks like grooming your pet and playing with him or her to help you both bond and relax. The process of caring for a pet is an inherently satisfying and enjoyable one so long as you allow yourself to have fun while doing it instead of trying to rush through and minimize the time you take for cat care. After all, the time you spend with your cat is quality time indeed.

Another benefit of making cat care a pleasurable activity is education. Teaching yourself a bit more about pet care techniques can help you be certain that you are offering your cat the best possible care. The more you know about your pet’s care, the better equipped you will be to keep your cat healthy and happy, and there are few things as satisfying as seeing your cat’s health improve because of your love and attention.  If you want the care of your feline friend to be a reward for yourself as well as for your pet, it is important to make sure that you are doing a good job of it.

The better you are at caring, the more fun you will have when caring for your cat. There are few experiences more rewarding than reveling in the knowledge that you have done a job well, and cat care is no exception.  When you improve your skills or brush up on your cat care basics, you are taking steps to transform your pet care from a run of the mill experience to something that you can be proud of. When you provide your cat with the optimum care for his or her personality, age, and type of cat, you will be able to feel a sense of accomplishment in your abilities that is invaluable, and very enjoyable. When you improve your cat care skills, you can look forward to a happier cat, and to a happier you as well.