With rising concern over heart attacks and other diseases, perhaps you have overlooked a simple solution to the betterment of your health. By simply owning a cat, studies show you can decrease the incidence of a heart attack by up to 30%. There have been reports of cats and dogs saving lives through amazing feats. If you could extend your life, there’s no better way than by adding a furry ball of love into your world.

The elderly seem to be most affected by pet ownership, although children love them the most. Having a cat that comes and jumps on your lap makes you feel needed, while the cat fulfills its need for attention. A pet can solve empty nest syndrome when children have grown and moved away, and it gives the owner a sense of purpose and keeps depressive thoughts away.

What can a cat or dog do for you? Well they can scratch your furniture, poop in your yard, cause spills and thrills throughout your house. Well, they’re not perfect either. Even in the face of these little mishaps, improvements in areas such as heart disease caused by higher blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are consistently experienced. It’s not completely understood but cat owner seem to benefit a little more from these life extending benefits than their dog owner counterparts. It’s easy to see why a pet can have such effects on us. Instead of a sedentary and isolated existence that many might adopt later in life, a pet adds spice and activity to daily life. The care and requirements of a pet companion keeps one their toes, active and happy as they care for the needs of their friend. Additional actives such as dog walking and getting out of the house with the pets are a big help for many.

The lifespan of the pet should be considered, since it is not unusual for them to live over fifteen years. Finding the right pet for you can depend on your tolerance and patience and there can be additional costs involved for their upkeep. Food, litter, and vet bills can add up quickly, but you have to consider the health benefits you may receive, which can often far offset the costs of rescuing a poor kitten or puppy from a shelter, however.

Pets take time, in order to care for them properly. It is not fair to you or the animal to take on additional responsibilities that you don’t have time for. Cats offer an advantage over a dog because they are generally lower maintenance, since it is easier to leave them by themselves overnight and you don’t have to walk them or let them out. A clean litter box and full bowl of food is usually all they need for overnight absences but you might want to reconsider if you go away for long trips.

Sometimes, it is more than health reasons that makes you want to take a pet in, it might be what they bring as your constant companion. The joy that an animal can bring comes from knowing you are loved. If you visit a shelter and find an animal that steals your heart, you can save the animal from death and maybe save your own life in the process. Saving two lives at once is something most pet owners don’t think of initially, but sometimes that is what happens, when they decide to get a pet.

David is an expert on pet health and care. Keeping your cat healthy and happy is a responsiblility of each owner. See his site for ideas on Cat Health.