June is Adopt a Cat Month and therefore the purr-fect time to find a four-legged friend.
Pet ownership has been found to have health benefits. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that owning a pet can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness. Having a pet can also increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities and opportunities for socialization.
Since this is Adopt a Cat Month, we’re giving extra attention to kitty companions. While we certainly aren’t dissing dogs, there are some advantages to adopting felines over canines.
Cats are low maintenance. They don’t need to be walked multiple times a day. Cats are litter-trained, which means you’re less likely to have to clean up rear-end related messes. They can be indoor, outdoor or indoor/outdoor pets. (And if you let your cat outside, they will likely do their business there, which means less litterbox cleaning.) Cats are less expensive on average than dogs, according to an ASPCA analysis.
Cats are great for people who don’t live a dog-friendly lifestyle. While dogs require frequent attention and care, cats are better suited to being left to their own devices. So if you’ve been yearning for a furry companion, but a dog isn’t the right fit for you, consider adopting a feline. Cats can be just as affectionate as dogs, despite the stereotypes. And even if your cat isn’t canine-level cuddly, you’ll know that any love and attention your cat gives is extra special and just for you.
Cats also have some unique health benefits. A study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology found that cat owners were at lower risk for death due to myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases, even after controlling for other risk factors. In addition, a cat’s purr falls within a frequency range (25 to 150 Hz) that has been used in treatments for bone growth/repair, pain and other ailments, according to a study in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. While a cat’s purr is mostly for its own healing benefit, the study suggests purring can help heal humans, too. Not to mention the psychological benefits of a purring cat curled up on your lap.
As a reminder, pets are a lifetime commitment. If you want to adopt a pet, make sure the animal is appropriate to your lifestyle and finances.
That said, remote working have become much more commonplace since COVID-19. According to NPR, many white-collar businesses are considering switching to remote working indefinitely. If you’re someone who will be working from home more often, now is a great time to find a four-legged office mate.
The Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center has received an influx of cats recently because it’s kitten season. If a feline furbaby is right for you, pay them a visit. As we previously reported (DP-06-22-20), adopting a cat is as simple as visiting the shelter with $85 in cash and an ID, figuring out what cat you want and about 15 minutes filling out paperwork. All animals from the Canine Adoption Center are spayed or neutered. This June, you can save two lives — an animal’s and possibly your own.
Morgantown Area News
'Tuesday, December 24, 2024'
