Human Health
Although most people choose to get a cat simply as a companion, there are a number of factors regarding human health and safety which do need to be taken into consideration. These range from the impact of a cat on any allergy or asthma sufferers, pregnancy, recovery from serious illness and children. This section will give you information relating to these topics and more, allowing you to make an informed decision as to whether getting a cat is not only suitable for the cat, but also for yourself.
Pregnancy and Children
It is natural for pregnant women to worry about what may or may not affect their unborn child, and pets should always be taken into consideration. The best precaution that you can take during pregnancy is a strict attention to hygiene and the health of your cat. If you do have medical concerns, you should always speak to a medical professional; your GP, a midwife or health visitor.
Once you have a child, it is the fear of many parents that the cat will not get on with the new baby, and may cause problems because of jealousy or fear. These fears are almost always out of proportion to the reality of the situation however. Cat owners do need to realise that although they will most likely be very busy with a new baby, their responsibilities towards their pet remain unchanged from when there was no baby. You must still give attention and affection to your cat. Cats of different temperaments will accept a new baby in different ways. Cats who are very independent and who come to you when they want attention, but generally do what they want to do, should be very accepting of the new arrival, as it is unlikely that their routine will change dramatically. Clingy cats, who follow you around everywhere and are completely devoted to spending time with you should accept a baby well provided they are kept as a close part of the family unit. This kind of cat should warm to the baby quickly and will think of them as just another member of the family very quickly. If you have a very timid cat, who tends to hide when strangers come round and only really likes to be in your company, then they may take a little bit more effort to accustom them to the presence of a new family member. Be patient with him, and try to lavish him with at least as much attention as you did before the baby arrived.
With all the new baby products coming into your home such as cots, pushchairs, and toys, your cat will be very curious about them. Allow him to sniff them and explore, but do not let him enter the baby's cot, bath or pushchair. Make it be know, before the baby is born, that these items are forbidden to the cat. It may also be a good idea, as soon as you learn you are pregnant, to gradually reduce the time spent stroking your cat, as you will have less time for this once the baby is born. This is especially good if your cat is very timid and dependent on you. Your cat may or may not like babies but every cat will be interested in a new arrival and so don't worry when your cat comes up to your newborn and starts sniffing around him, or even prowling round the pram like a guard cat.
When the baby is sleeping, make sure that your cat cannot get in the room with him and never leave your baby alone with the cat, even if you completely trust him. It may be a good idea to re-train your cat that the room to be used as a nursery is now out of bounds, as soon as you know you are pregnant. Put aside time every day to be dedicated to your cat and if you have any visitors, make sure they give attention to your cat as well as to your new baby.
Once your chld has grown in to a toddler it is important that you teach him how to treat your cat. Your child will learn from your own interactions how to handle any animal so show him how to be gentle with your pet. Most cats don't mind a certain amount of fuccing and will simply walk away ehen they've had enough. Once your child is old enough to understand, explain that your cat is frightened by loud noise and sudden movements or if he is grabbed at. You must also keep your cat's litter tray and food bowls out of reach of your child and continue to be vigilent in all health and hygiene matters, those of yourself and child and those of your cat.
Positive Effects of Cat Ownership
The health benefits of having a pet are so widely known and agreed upon that one article in 1999 claimed that the NHS could save £1 billion a year if more people had pets. Pets are fantastic stress busters and self-esteem builders and cats are known to be therapeutic to suffers of Alzheimers or dementia.
Cats are fantastic companions and provide a source of friendship and comfort for many people, which is particularly beneficial to vulnerable people such as the elderly, lonely or depressed. Cats are a good self-esteem booster for all ages. For the elderly, they can be made to feel needed and useful by looking after their cat and the same is true for children. If you let your child take responsibility for some aspects of the cats care, such as feeding, then you will help nourish a sense of achievement and responsibility whilst your child also learns to treat life with care and respect. Studies have shown that children who live with pets are more popular and have better person-perception skills than those living without pets. There is also evidence that suggests that children growing up in a household with pets have a more efficient immune system, and also lower chances of developing asthma and allegies.
There are few stress busters as effective as a cat. Cats will naturally seek out quiet spaces, so if you're feeling stressed, all it takes is for you to sit on a chair, place your car on your lap and begin stroking for all your tension to ebb away. Research has also shown that owning or looking after a pet can reduce blood pressure and diminish time taken to recover from illness. Generally, dog and cat owners are helathier, they have fewer heart problems and sleeping difficulties, and make less trips to the doctor, than non-pet owners.
Asthma and Allergies
As mentioned earlier, cats can have a very positive effect on reducing asthma rates in children if the child has grown up with a cat in the household, which is good news for parents or expectant parents with cats who are worried about their child suffering from asthma in the future. But dealing with a cat-owning asthma sufferer can be difficult, as many people are unwilling to part with their pet, even in the face of medical advice. The relationship between pet and owner has been shown to provide elements associated with better physical and mental health. Even aside from these facts, removal of the pet from the home may not be the answer as studies have shown that pet allergens may stay in a house up to six months after removal of the pet. It has also been found that cat allergens are present in most public places including hospitals, doctors surgeries and classrooms.There are a number of precautions you can take if you are a cat owner and an asthma sufferer. These include
- making sure your furniture and furnishings do not harbour allergens. For example, replace carpets with hard wood, laminate or linoleum flooring, Use blinds instead of curtains, and remove any soft toys.
- Open your windows for an hour every day. This has been shown to be highly effective at removing cat allergens.
- Avoid woollen clothes. Wool can harbour up to ten times as many allergens as cotton or synthetic fabrics.
- Daily brushing of your cat outside the house, and weekly bathing of your cat.
- Checking your cat's diet as simple changes in diet can help reduce hair loss.
- Reduce the cat's access to living areas and do not allow him in the sufferer's bedroom at all.
- Avoiding or limiting as much as possible, direct physical contact with the cat. The sufferer needs to refrain from stroking and hugging the cat and wash their hands immediately after any contact.
By taking these measures, symptoms may be reduced by up to 95%, and therefore hopefully should allow more cats to stay with their owners.
