People often have animals at home. Dogs, hamsters, parrots, decorative rabbits - everyone chooses a friend to their liking. Some even keep crocodiles, snakes as pets, and especially desperate ones - lions and bears. But still, cats occupy the leading position among pets. They are more unpretentious to care for and can exist normally even in a small apartment.
It is known that now such a direction in alternative medicine as animal therapy or treatment with animals is very popular. Many animals help people gain health and get rid of certain diseases. Can cats heal? Yes they can. Let's see how this happens.
What is feline therapy?
Feline therapy is communication with cats, treatment with their help, aimed at getting rid of a number of diseases or relieving symptoms.It should be noted that this method is also a good prevention of some ailments.
Even in antiquity, the cat was treated very respectfully, it was ranked among the deities. Tombs were found where people were buried together with these animals. They knew about the healing power of cats then - they know now.
Feline therapy differs from other methods of pet therapy (treatment with pets) in that there are no special exercises or a specific algorithm of actions. You just let the "meowing doctor" treat you. And he can do this in several ways.
Benefit
The rumbling of a cat is considered very useful and curative. The frequency of such sounds is 20-50 Hz. While listening to them, all the protective functions of the body are triggered, immunity is developed and a person is subsequently less susceptible to colds.
A speedy recovery is facilitated by the warmth that comes from the cat. Its body temperature is three degrees higher than that of a person. Therefore, after she lay in your sore spot, you will feel much better.
The next healing effect is energetic. There is an opinion that the cat takes all the negative energy and shares the positive, and after communicating with the animal you will be positively charged and in a good mood.
The massage that the pet does with its paws is also very useful. The fact is that cats love to shift from paw to paw, while releasing their claws. This process is similar to an acupuncture session.
Many have probably noticed that when stroking cats on the coat, we can feel weak currents. These low-charge currents are also very beneficial, especially for people who have problems with blood pressure.
The psychological positive effect of communicating with the "four-legged doctor" cannot be underestimated. After a hard day at work, one has only to stroke the "purr", and fatigue evaporates, mood improves.
Communication between a child and an animal is very important. And for children "special" it is generally necessary. After all, a cat, like any other animal, is a conductor between the child and the outside world. The kid learns to communicate with the help of animals, he trusts them with his secrets, begins to be interested in others, becomes calmer and more balanced.
It must be said that not everyone agrees that a cat can indeed perform all these functions. But scientists continue to work on these questions and prove their theories.
Indications
The scope of treatment with cats is not as wide as that of dogs, dolphins and horses, but feline therapy can still be very beneficial for the following diseases:
- neuroses;
- depression;
- oncological diseases;
- schizophrenia;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- radiculitis;
- arthrosis;
- hypertension;
- some diseases of the digestive system;
- autism;
- sleep problems.
It has been proven that in families where the "purring doctor" lives, people have better immunity. They are also less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases, depression, diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, and insomnia. And, as a result, their lifespan is longer.
However, the cat will not be able to completely heal you, it will only be able to relieve symptoms, for example, remove a toothache, but this is only a temporary effect. You still need to see a doctor.
Exceptions are psychological illnesses - here the cat can significantly affect the situation, for example, relieve insomnia or depression. She is able to cope with nervous disorders.
Good treatment of these animals is also a guarantee of a good result in treatment.
Contraindications
You can not resort to felin therapy for people who are allergic to wool, open wounds on the body, severe forms of nervous disorders, a negative attitude towards cats.
What breeds are suitable for treatment?
There is no significant difference what breed of an animal. Almost any cat can help heal. The main thing is that she should not be aggressive and make good contact with a person.
There is an opinion that different breeds and even colors are needed for different diseases:
- It is believed that Siamese cats are good at treating diseases of the genitourinary and digestive systems.
- Long-haired beauties, such as Angora, Siberian and Persian breeds, help with nervous disorders, depression, insomnia. They also cope well with sciatica, joint diseases and cramps.
- Representatives of the feline British and Russian blue breeds are most effectively used to combat diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- The Sphinx should be given to women who have gynecological problems.
- The Maine Coon, a currently popular breed, is a good helper in the fight against nervous disorders. There is even a known case of how a cat of this breed quite successfully helps a little girl from England to fight autism.
- Black cats relieve neuroses well.
- White cats relieve chronic fatigue syndrome, relieve depression.
- Representatives of the gray-coated feline family effectively fight various mental disorders and insomnia.
- Animals of a red color are good at energizing, giving strength.
- Multicolored cats are good for normalizing blood pressure.
Of course, such a distribution by colors and breeds is based on someone's observations and conclusions, but, most likely, it does not matter what color your pet is: the character traits of the animal and temperament are much more important.
As for the sex of the animal, both cats and cats can be treated. The main thing is that they retain their reproductive function. That is, the cat should not be neutered, and the cat should not be neutered.
How are classes conducted?
Cats are not animals that can be forced to do something. Therefore, cat therapy sessions are held when the "purr" wants it, and not when a person needs it. But we must give these animals their due - they themselves come to the aid when it is needed.
The treatment process lasts from ten minutes to two hours. This time is quite enough to get the desired effect. It can be carried out daily, if necessary, it can be done once a week - there are no restrictions.
Reviews
Feline therapy is not carried out as directed and organized as other types of animal-assisted therapy. Therefore, it is not often possible to hear reviews about this treatment method, such as dolphin therapy, hippotherapy or canistherapy.
But still, people note after communication with a cat an improvement in general physical condition, mood, a surge of strength and energy.
Many highlight the fact that a cat always feels a sore spot in a person. One woman told the story of how her pet constantly lay on her neck when her throat hurt, and the woman even got scared at night, as something warm wrapped her up. But the sore throat really went away quickly.
Autistic children who have cats at home are more open to communication than children with the same diagnosis, whose parents do not have animals.
Old people, especially lonely ones, often have a pet like a cat. They claim that the animal not only brightens up their loneliness, but also helps them to improve their health.
There is a category of people that does not recognize the effectiveness of felin therapy, does not believe that it is possible to get the result with the help of a cat, as, indeed, with the help of other animals. Most likely, they just don't like them.
You can learn more about felin therapy in the video below.
