In honor of International Cat Day on August 8th and National Kitten Day last month on July 10th we take a look at what makes kittens more than just cute and playful. Here are some interesting facts and benefits of adopting a little feline.
Adopting a kitten means you’re a part of your cat’s entire life.
The first year of a cat’s life is considered equivalent to 15 years of human life. After its second year, a cat is about 25 years old in human years. After that, each year of a cat’s life is equal to seven human years.
The younger a kitten is when you adopt it, the easier it should be to train and socialize.
Kittens sleep about 18 hours a day. But when they’re not napping, they have tons of energy. They can be a great playmate and motivation for keeping you physically active and healthy. One study found people who had never owned a cat were 40 percent more likely to die of a heart attack than previous or current cat owners.
Having a cat in your life can be advantageous for your mental health too. Research indicates a pet may help ease stress, depression, and feelings of loneliness. Playing with a cat can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, hormones associated with feelings of calm and motivation.
Your kitten can help boost your social circle by connecting you with other animal-loving members in your neighborhood or community.
Adopting a kitten from a shelter should be easier on your wallet than going to a breeder or pet store. It also means you’re rescuing an animal. Plus, you’re helping other animals by helping the shelter provide a home, food, and vet care to other homeless pets.