http://www.care2.com/greenliving/are-dogs-better-for-your-health-than-cats.html
Are Dogs Better For Your Health Than Cats?
By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living
As any pet lover can tell you, pets make you feel good. And in fact, studies have shown that pet owners tend to be healthier, in general, than those without a cuddly (or even not-so-cuddly) four-legged pal in their home. But one study suggests that the health benefits of owning a dog outweigh those of owning a cat.
A psychologist from Queen’s University, Belfast, said dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Writing in the British Journal of Health Psychology, she says that regular walks may partly explain the difference. Taking care of a dog can often leads to increases in physical activity and facilitates the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health.
As well as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, dog-owners suffer fewer minor ailments and serious medical problems. The precise reason for the benefits was not totally clear. The main hypothesis is that dogs’ directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress, one of the major risk factors associated with ill-health.
However, cat owners, don’t feel left out! Researchers looked at nearly 4,500 adults and found that cat ownership was related to a 40 percent lower risk of suffering a fatal heart attack. The team speculated that having a cat may reduce stress and anxiety, and thus protect against cardiovascular disease.
Now I’m wondering, what about my hamster?
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90 comments
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Kabin
Konteyner
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Kabin
Konteyner
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I have cat & dogs....That make me a healthy pet owner ;-)
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To my mind both are wonderful! They make you feel better as well as they make you better...
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I'm not to surprised about cats and lower stress. Anyone who has had a purring kitty on their lap knows there is something about it that's very relaxing.
I love Dogs and Cats alike
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Help your dog to follow his own natural instincts.he will become almost unseparable,and his faith in you will make you so fond of him that lifespan of both of you will increase .hormones of love are most powerful immunity boosters in natural world.
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Help your dog to follow his own natural instincts.he will become almost unseparable,and his faith in you will make you so fond of him that lifespan of both of you will increase .hormones of love are most powerful immunity boosters in natural world.
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i think both are beneficial.
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Because cats sleep a lot...studies show a strong link between sleep and intelligence :-)...most people think that cats do not enjoy physical play. Indeed, you cannot enjoy a walk in the park with them ,but you sure can sweat it out at chasing them in the house or making them run after things that you drag behind you (when they are younger, though). Of course, cats are cats, they put the break on the game in a very sudden way. But you can see by their curling tale that they are happy, and actually you appreciate the break as well.
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I think that people who love animals,and keep them are much nicer,and loving than those who do not own or want a pet. There is something very special about people who go that extra mile for animals. I think they are happier,and more content with their lives.
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