Reader\'s Digest Australia & New Zealand - June 2018

PETS

June• 2018 | 23

babieshavefewerrespiratoryand

other infections when there’s a

moggyaround.Childrenarealso

less likely to develop allergies.

GETASHOTOFFELINEFEEL-

GOOD FACTORACatsProtection

surveyfoundthat87percentof

catownersbelievedtheirpethad

apositiveefectontheirsenseof

wellbeingand76percentsaidthatit

helped them cope with everyday life.

Half of cat owners enjoyed the

companionship, while a third found

stroking their cat to be calming.

’ NACAT?Don’t

.Peoplewhowatch

ideos had more

ergy and were

ore positive

fterwards and felt

ewer negative

motions, such

sanxietyor

ritation, according

asurveyfromthe

ersity of Indiana.

YOURCATCANCUTYOURRISK

OF HEART DISEASEOur feline

friends lower stress levels and blood

pressure, and you’re less likely to die

of a heart attack or stroke, according

to an American study. he efect

even extended to people who’d

ownedcatsinthepast.

PURRING HELPS HEAL MUSCLES,

BONES AND TENDONSResearch

suggests the sound your contented

catmakeshasatherapeuticefect.

It’salltodowiththefrequency.

A cat’s purring falls within a

frequency range that has been found

toimproveboneden

promote healing.

SAY“HELLOKITTY

FOR HEALTHIER

CHILDRENhere’s

evidence that cats

canhelpchildren

with autism

communicate

betterandbemore

assertive, and that

Proof

hat Cats Are

Good for You

BY SUSANNAH HICKLING

Science shows cats are purr-fect pets for your health

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES