people with cats are said to live longer than those with dogs
By mazdakid
@mazdakid (347)
Philippines
December 18, 2008 8:19am CST
hi all!
i've read in a newspaper article a few months ago that people, especially the elderly, who have pet cats are said to live a lot longer than those who own dogs. i wonder why? i mean, i'm thinking that probably, since cats are sleek animals that are soft to touch, very gentle, calm and always sleepy, people tend to have "warm hearts" when they see their pet cat snuggle up to them. this relaxing behaviour of cats may be the reason. and the research probably says that because dogs are normally naughtier and more active compared to cats. and occasionally they may be noisy when they suddenly bark, which could be bad for the elderly.
that's my speculation as to why the article says that owning cats is better (especially for the elderly) than owning dogs.
how about you guys? why do you think people who live with cats have longer lives?
4 responses
@mazdakid (347)
• Philippines
18 Dec 08
hi there uath13! hahahaha! that's a very nice and funny remark! =) even if cats really just love me because of the food that i give to them, i still appreciate the fact that cats look so soft and they're very nice to look at. they look so cuddly. it makes me feel good after a hard day of work. =)
@mazdakid (347)
• Philippines
19 Dec 08
hi there uath13! hahahahaha. okay okay. =) i'm thinking that your cat might be a bit too demanding, that's why you're having a headache with him or her? i guess i'm lucky that my cat is not very demanding, although i hate it when he goes poopie on the carpet, even if he's already 2 years old! hahaha. but he's still very nice, and he even kinda saved my life when he, by coincidence, made me return home because he was in the engine compartment when i left the house, and i found out i had a bad tyre. =)
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
19 Dec 08
I would love to see the reasons behind that study. Cats are more self-sufficient and thus are calmer to be around. Dogs are more demanding, needing to be walked and stuff. Both certainly provide lots of love and affection, especially to elderly who are living alone. I would have thought that the activity that a dog requires would be beneficial, but then again that probably depends of the health of the owner.
Cats generally live longer than many breeds of dogs. Maybe that's a reason? I have both dogs and cats. If my extra pounds pass on before the rest of me, I could be happy with that 
. My son has a turtle, which has a life expectancy of about 60 years. It didn't reach maturity until it was 12 years old. If you want to live a long time, maybe that's the way to go...lol.
. My son has a turtle, which has a life expectancy of about 60 years. It didn't reach maturity until it was 12 years old. If you want to live a long time, maybe that's the way to go...lol.@mazdakid (347)
• Philippines
19 Dec 08
hi there catdla! i'd also love to see more in-depth research behind that scientific claim. although i can personally testify that having cats around is very soothing and calming. and probably it helps you feel better, especially if you're elderly.
and come to think of it, probably the reason why cats live longer is that they aren't very active and hence, they encounter less accidents, compared to dogs that can cross the street and get hit by a car or truck, or get injured when they slam onto a wall or something (my dog does that. LOL), or when they eat something from a container that smashed when they knocked it over (such as household cleaners, plastic, or worse, chocolate, which is toxic to dogs). but cats, most of the time, they're very calm and slow, and hence, less prone to accidents.
and maybe they're influencing their owners as well with their long lives? probably psychological, but there are also scientific studies that show that if you think positive, you live longer. =)
anyways, thanks for your post and have a nice day! =)
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
18 Dec 08
Maybe cat people have nine lives 
I have four cats, so I'm looking forward to a long life
I have four cats, so I'm looking forward to a long life @mazdakid (347)
• Philippines
18 Dec 08
hi jwfarrimond! hahaha, that's a good suggestion! i remember the time when i used to have two cats. and they were like good luck charms to me. i was able to avoid three nasty "disasters". i was able to avoid an accident on the road, i was able to avoid carjackers (robbers who would steal your car while you're inside the car) and my cat inadvertently pointed out that i was going to have a flat tyre when i left the house (he was meowing inside the engine compartment because he went inside to sleep there!). i know these might be odd coincidences, but i still think that owning cats may help you avoid bad luck, and hence, have longer life. =)
thanks and more power to you!
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
18 Dec 08
I really don't know, but I sure wouldn't want to live without my cats. All four of them bring me joy. There is nothing like a purring cat in your lap to make me smile. I wrote a book about cats Cat-House Sonnets, 100 poems celebrating cats. It won a Muse Medallion from Cat Writers Association. There are poems about all aspects of living with cats, from feeding, playing, sleeping to litter box use. Cat-lovers have really enjoyed this book Check it out at my publisher's website: http://www.jorlanpublishing.com/Cat-HouseSonnets.htm
@mazdakid (347)
• Philippines
19 Dec 08
hi there mcat19! i agree... cats bring so much joy. i especially like it when even my adult cats play with a string or ball of yarn. then they snuggle up to you while you're watching television. although i still hate it when they prefer to go poopie on the carpet. hahahaha! but i still love my cats so much and i'm glad there is some scientific research that show owning a cat can help with your longevity. =)
