The Healing Power of a Cat Purr

Healing by Association

 

We visit pet shops and animal sanctuaries, watch Lonely Planet and veterinary programmes because there is just something about animals. They soothe and comfort, demand little and offer unconditional love.

Growing up we had a varied collection of pets: goats, pheasants, rabbits, cats, guinea pigs, gerbils and stick insects. In the summer we collected green beetles, newts and crabs and saved the odd mouse from the cat. We loved them all, creatures great and small.

The healing power of animals is nothing new with studies dating back more than 3 decades showing that just stroking your pet can lower blood pressure.

If you own an animal you will acknowledge that time spent with your treasured pet brings about a sense of calm and peace. Research also show that animals and their owners can become so in tune with each other that their heart beats become synchronised.

But who would have thought that a cat purr could be healing. This vibrational almost hypnotising sound.

There is an old veterinary saying, “If you put a cat and a bunch of broken bones in the same room, the bones will heal.”

Is it true?

• The vibration of a cats purr can speed up healing, not just in other animals but humans too.  The optimal frequency for bone stimulation is 50 hertz. The frequency of a cat purr falls between 25 and 50 hertz. More reason to hug a cat to aid in the healing of bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles, as well as providing pain relief.

 

• The sound of a cat purring can lower blood pressure

 

• Petting your purring cat lowers stress and promotes calmness

 

• Cat owners (or having other pets) lowers your risk catching of colds and flu

 

• Some individuals claim to relive their migraines just by lying next to their purring cat

 

• Science shows that vibrational stimulation not only relieves suffering in 82% of persons suffering from acute and chronic pain but also generates new tissue growth, improves local circulation and oxygenation and reduces swelling

 

• Research has shown that a cat’s purr, can decrease the symptoms of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease called dysponea, in both cats and humans

 

• If you own a cat you are 40% less likely to die of cardiovascular disease