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New survey findings released on 9th September by leading feline welfare charity, Cats PrNew survey findings released on 9th September by leading feline welfare charity, Cats Protection, have shown that cat-owning older people have got the cream when it comes to having fun and keeping in touch with their youthful inner kitten!

The research amongst nearly a thousand people aged 55 – 80+ from across the UK, was conducted between May and July 2005. The majority of people surveyed, lived with just their partner or spouse. The research, which was commissioned for this year’s Cats Protection Week was conducted by leading health psychologist, Dr June McNicholas. The survey found that a feline friend’s ability to encourage social interaction as well as fun, play and laughter, enables older owners to keep purring with pleasure, purr-haps long after their non-pet owning peers have stopped doing so!



The findings confirm the many psychological health benefits that cats, and other pets, can give us, according to Dr McNicholas. "We found that older people value their cats as companions, confidantes and a source of meeting others. Growing older can mean a degree of ‘social shrinkage’ in social networks. Cats can, amongst other things, help people to make friends - a factor well documented for maintaining psychological health."

And it seems that felines can exert their beneficial effects whatever an older person’s marital or household status. For example, the survey found that those who live with a partner are even more likely to prefer their cat’s company to that of other people!

Importantly, the older the owner, the more significant the pet’s role was found to be in terms of assisting owners to feel young and healthy. The social ‘cat’alyst effect of our feline friends was found to be particularly helpful – the research found that respondents aged 70+ get out and about more often because of their cat, and one in four of all respondents said they had met people, including long-term friends, as a consequence of having a cat. Felines were found to be a great topic of conversation for their owners and others, too.

The survey identified a number of other "have feline and feeling fine" factors that older cat owners enjoy:

l It’s the way you make me feel – Many respondents reported that their cat helped them to act and feel younger! The majority believed themselves to be happier than non-cat owners (90% of owners aged 80+), felt their pet contributed to their positive self-esteem and agreed they were rarely lonely thanks to their cats’ company (no difference between owners who live alone or with others).

l Fun – Over 80% of respondents strongly agreed that they get a lot of fun from their cat and more than 50% said they had more fun with their cat than with other people!

l And games – Almost two-thirds of respondents enjoy ‘letting their hair down’ through playing daft games with their cat!

l Getting active – The older the person, the more significant the cat’s role in helping their owner keep active.

l Let’s talk – Contrary to popular belief, cat owners who live with a partner and offspring are more likely to talk to their cat about other people!

l The best medicine of all – over 70% of respondents reported that their cat made them laugh at least once a day.

l Fe-line friendly – Cats can help their owners forge friendships. Respondents reported that their cat’s ability to attract "passing trade" could lead to subsequent social interaction! Trips to the vet and the supermarket were also useful in providing opportunities for social interaction!
Cats Protection provides a number of services for older people wishing to home a cat. "Older people seem to have a particular affinity with cats – those who have suffered a bereavement or illness, or who simply want company and a presence to welcome them home can benefit from adopting a cat from us," explained Helen Ralston, the charity’s Chief Executive.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest and oldest feline welfare organisation, homing 60,000 cats every year through its large nationwide network. For more information, log onto www.cats.org.uk or contact Cats Protection’s Helpline - Tel: 08702 099 099. E-mail: emma.osborne@cats.org.uk

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