Six women tell us how having a cat improves their mental health

Having a pet can be hugely beneficial for your mental health.

They listen, they never judge and they’re always available for ample cuddles to make you feel better.

On a more serious note, caring for a pet can also give you a sense of purpose – especially when you’re worrying about other aspects of your life. You walk through the door and there he or she is, loving you unconditionally.

We asked six women to tell us how their cats have helped them through tough times and why it’s so great for your mental health to have a cat.

Katie, 29, York

My cat’s name is Fonzie and I got him back in September.

I’d never had a pet before so it was quite a change!

A couple of months after I got him my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and my cat saw me crying a lot. He would always come and sit with me, like it was instinctive.

Just hugging him would make me feel better, and to be able to give so much love to such a tiny little thing was very rewarding.

I also feel generally less anxious about clients and deadlines with him around – I come home and he just relaxes me when he comes to the door!

Soma, 35, London

Flower Daisy is six years old and I’ve had her since September 2014, when a close friend asked me if I wanted to adopt her.

She helped me after I was bullied and was going through anxiety and depression.

Flower Daisy would come and sit on my lap every day when I was crying and going through burnout, it’s like she knew that I needed extra love and support.

I obviously also saw a counsellor, but having her unconditional love definitely helped my overall recovery.

She definitely helps with my anxiety too, as she keeps me calm.

Eve, 43, Westport

Rainbow MagnifiCat has been so good for my mental health.

Yes, there’s the added anxiety a cat can bring when out after curfew or bringing in mice etc., but that pales in the stress-relieving, heart expanding wonder she brings every day.

I start most mornings doing my meditation while holding paws with her – this feels like an especially gentle way to ease into the day when she’s happy to oblige.

Watching her nap and eat and go out has helped me get better at tuning into my own self-care needs and the times she jumps onto my lap demanding a fuss are simply additional mindfulness practices. Hearing her purr, feeling her fur as I stroke her and coming back to my breath and the present moment is what I call ‘Rainbow Appreciation Time’.

She’s also made me more courageous – watching her climb or go back out after being chased in by dogs helps me access that braver part of myself.

Sally, 29, London

When I went through a difficult breakup a couple of years ago, my life fell to pieces.

I ended up moving around a lot and everything was very turbulent. It sounds mad but my cat felt like the only stable thing in my life at that point.

Even at my lowest, he loved me. And it occurred to me that he wasn’t aware of what kind of mess my life was in; he just wanted to be with me.

He was the only one who I didn’t have to feel guilty for not being ‘on form’ around.

If I wanted to lie in bed all day, he would just lean his little head on my hand and nap with me. He needed me, and that gave me a reason to stick around.

Although my life has completely turned around since then, when he trots to the front door after work it still brightens my day.

And if I get anxious, the sound of his breathing is the only thing that really calms me down.

Pam, 31, Brighton

I have a diagnosis of ADHD and borderline personality disorder, as well as a mild form of major depressive disorder and general anxiety. I am medicated for these, but I take a lot less medication than I used to. I also suffered from postnatal depression after the birth of my son three years ago.

I have three cats, called Freddie, Lily and Kennedy. They are very supportive with my mental health.

Often if I am having a bad day it’s like they can sense it and they come and cuddle up with me. I often find physical contact hard to get from other people, especially as I am not in a relationship, and the cats really make me feel like I’m not alone.

Freddie especially gets very up close and personal if she can sense I need it, and she is very affectionate.

It’s also important to look at how I have to take care of them. I often forget to keep any decent food in the house for myself, or get lazy with my Asda shop, but I can never make an excuse for not having cat food or not emptying the litter trays.

Caroline, 40, Reading

I have suffered with depression since a teenager. I grew up with cats but when I first left home I was cat-less but luckily still had a cat at my mum’s.

Fast forward a few years to my 30th birthday and I went to collect two rescue cats – Woody and Jessie.

At the time I was in a happy relationship and my mental health status was steady.  However, in 2012 I split with my boyfriend and moved in with my mum until my flat was ready.  It was a tough time for me, I felt lost and scared of what was ahead.

Moving in on my own scared me particularly with regard to my mental health – I was lonely and sometimes spent every night at home facing the same four walls – having the cats prevented me from feeling that way. Seeing two little faces at the top of the stairs when I got home from work made me remember that I have a purpose.

Without them, I would never have settled as quickly as I did.

Even in my worse episodes of depression they keep me focused and remind me that I am still needed. They seem to know when I need companionship or am upset.  They make me smile when the world looks bleak and sit with me when sleep is hard to come by.

I would thoroughly recommend pets for mental health, they give you comfort where people often fail.

Cat Week

In honour of Catfest, we will be partnering with the festival to bring you seven days of the funniest, cutest, coolest and most amazing cat content.

Until Saturday 29 June, read stories about all things cats, including kittens abandoned on rubbish dumps to fantastic cat art, and everything in-between.

Catfest will include cat-themed literature and film plus live music, poetry and crafts. There will be rescue kittens, talks from cat experts, Instagram cats and an auction as well as cocktails, cake and much more. Tickets have sold out, but you can still get involved on social media.

Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit Erham Rescue and International Trash Cat & Dumpster Dogs to help cats and kittens as well as street animals in need.

Are you the owner of a fantastic cat? Then tweet us your cutest kitty pics @MetroUK and @MetroUK_Life for a chance to be featured!

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