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The Magic of Cats: How Cats Help With Mental Health

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UPR chapter.

If you’re a pet lover, you know how magical these beings can be. By just looking at them they can melt your heart. Cats specifically carry a special magic within them that can cure your spirit of any damage. Have you ever noticed when you’re feeling down, your cat starts to hang out around you? It may start rubbing itself on your legs, meowing to you without a reason, or even being naughty just to get your attention. This is because cats are very perceptive and can sense your moods and vibes; basically, they are empaths.

Cats have the ability to make you feel better instantly. Recently, I lost one of my cats and I couldn’t stop crying that day. At night, my other cat came to my room, and I thought he was going to be his usually naughty self, but no. He cuddled himself by my side and slept there, trying to tell me he was there for me (sorry if I made you cry). Cats know when there’s something wrong with you and they will do anything to make you feel better. I remember I once read this story about a girl whose cat didn’t want to eat and she was worried it was going to die, so she started crying and the cat went to eat. A few years later, she had severe depression and every time her cat saw her cry, it went and ate a little just to make her happy. These felines are very smart, and they remember everything, even though one would think they have short memory.

Cats bring happiness to anyone,  be it with their fluffy selves or with their funny actions. They are curious beings, so they can do some things that are considered funny (or, at the very least, odd) by many folks. They can see a string of any sort and jump thinking it’s a snake or try to leap at a place that’s too high for them. Try giving a bag to a cat, THEY JUST LOVE THEM! They will jump inside of it and start fighting it in no time. If you’re feeling unhappy, then getting a cat is a great idea. You have to accept that cats are adorable. Even your brain recognizes it! Studies have proven that when seeing a cat, your brain produces oxytocin, aka the love hormone. That’s why most cat-lovers get instantly happy when seeing a cat. That also explains why sometimes you get the urge to hug your cat so tightly.

It’s scientifically proven that the purring of cats helps to soothe anxiety and stress. If you synchronize your breathing with the rhythm of the purring, you will relax, which can help with other problems such as blood pressure. Petting a cat helps to release stress. It’s like their hair absorbs all the anxiety, stress and worries in each stroke. They know when you’re not feeling well, and they will naturally purr to make you feel better. Isn’t that the cutest thing?

Do you remember that TikTok that says, “It’s not the vibe, STOP!”? Those are cats. They can feel your vibe and intentions. Were you ever just walking around and a cat approached you? Well, you should feel lucky because that cat resonated with you, it liked your vibe. Some say that if a cat doesn’t like someone, it means they are a red flag and I totally believe them. I once had a cat who never liked my ex, who turned out to be a walking red flag. I was shocked when my actual boyfriend visited me for the first time and all my cats instantly LOVED him. They even ignored me to be with him! So if you have a cat who doesn’t like you, you better evaluate yourself!

Have you ever wondered why cats are always associated with witches? Besides being the perfect familiar, cats are great cleansers, spiritually speaking. Since they can sense any vibe, the moment they feel something is off in a room, they will linger around to cleanse the space. Now, if you see your cat sleeping so much around a new place, let it be, because it’s probably cleansing the space for you to be comfortable.

Cats are great companions, even though they have a reputation of being distant and stubborn. When they are in the mood, they can be the most lovable pet you’ll have. Cats offer us their friendship without expecting anything back—or maybe expecting some food in exchange. They support you silently, with just a stare that says “you can do it, human!” Having a cat decreases the feeling of loneliness, as they will follow you everywhere. To some people, cats give them a purpose because they know their feline friend awaits at home. There’s nothing better than to arrive home exhausted and to be received by a furball who will cuddle you and keep you warm. Having one of these four-legged companions is such a blessing!

I could keep explaining why cats are magical beings, but it would be endless. To sum it up, cats are the solution to every problem: loneliness, sadness, anxiety, depression, even health problems. If you own a cat, please enjoy your ball of fur as much as you can, and if you don’t, then I encourage you to get one (if you’re not allergic, of course) because it will be the best decision ever! 

Astrid Carolina is a grad school student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. She has a Bachelors Degree in Modern Languages and is currently doing her Masters in Translation. When she's not stressing out over doing her thesis, you can probably find her playing videogames or being crafty. Astrid is out there encouraging people to be themselves without fear!