Do cats cause mental health problems?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/b...ealth-problems

I grew up with dogs and have had mental health issues since before I can remember. Now I am stable and doing better than I have in years, and own cats.

My opinion is that it's a statistical fluke, as mentioned in the article as a possibility.

I agree. Likely a fluke! My cat helped me as a child.

I like that one guy in the article is named DelGADO 🐱

It warrants some investigation probably.

Maybe the parents who own cats are more likely to seek out help for their kids?

This article is why psychology researchers so often get bashed on. The whole thing could have been summarized as, "We found a correlation, but can't prove causation. But we want attention so here's some pop psych crap that psychologytoday will publish."

Or at least be honest and start by saying that they found something that's statistically interesting but admit that there's really nothing to be said until further research has been conducted.

Man, that article was so bad it actually bothered me.

I was a very bad cat parent, and i probably would have been a worse people parent. Just sayin'!

This is another example of "correlation does not prove causation." I had a prof in grad school who pointed out that 100% of the people in prison drank milk as children. Doesn't mean that kids who drink milk are going to grow up to be criminals.

Wow. This really bothers me. My animals have saved me so many times. I have no family, no real support system and currently stuck in a small town I absolutely dispise. My best friend is my cat and I feel so
lucky to have his companionship and his love. He makes me laugh and when I'm blue he picks up on it and he is always there for me. I wish everyone could have a friend like him. He picked me out when he was
six weeks old and he will be twelve in September. The only time we have been apart was when we were homeless for seven weeks and a
neighbor took care of him and we were miserable without each other.
I believe those who deal with mental illness need a pet. It keeps me
grounded, knowing that no matter what I still have to take care of him.
But I receive so much in return. The hugs and kisses and purrs-the joy when he snuggles up next to me and lays his head on my shoulder and wraps those big old paws around my arm. The way he watches me with
such love in his eyes. And how he makes me laugh! Of course, he is the
smartest cat on the planet. And a great listener until his nether parts
need licking... But when you raise a critter with love, love is what you
get back. He has never once called me crazy, even when I was at my
worst. How can love cause mental illness? Love is what heals you. If
you have never known this kind of bond with an animal, be it cat or dog or horse-my heart goes out to you. I hope someday you will.

As for the writer of the article? You know that sociopaths can't connect
with animals, right?

I had more mental health (and physical health) problems owning a dog than owning a cat.

My emotional problems started with lack of care from my parents. We started with dogs and ended up with cats. Pets had nothing to do with my parents.

We had a cat when I was a kid and I always got the worst vibes from it. If you think about it, giving a young child a cat is like giving them an inconsistent, narcissistic, randomly angry/affectionate friend; who's behavior often makes little to no sense from a human perspective. Imagine being young and this pet you adore just walks past you half the time without even acknowledging your presence.

This article doesn't surprise me at all.

pachyderm,

My childhood cats are the reason for my mental health issues, not what happened to me during my childhood. Interesting ...... I find all animals therapeutic; people not so much.

Funny. The only time I've seen my cat angry, a vet was involved. And he
has never ignored me. You get the love from an animal that you put into it. And you don't give an animal to a child until they are old enough to be
responsible for it.
A couple of years ago I left a burner on, on the stove and then went and
laid down and fell asleep. I'm old. It happens. This cat woke me up, made me get up and come into the kitchen. Not all cats can be this
smart or this loving or this special.

But not everyone 'gets' animals.

Children with cats probably sniff lines of cat litter. The cumulative effects drive one mad!

My cat has the tendency to show up with cat litter on her nose. So that's what she's doing! LOL

I owned a black lab. His behavior issues were just very discouraging.

Now I have 3 cats. They are perfect for my lifestyle. The only downside is my mom has begun feeding them human food. So they literally have started begging the way dogs do. But the cat I got 3 years ago basically saved my life. 2015 was a really rough year for me.

Excellent point, Nammu.

I wouldn't take Psychology Today as the pinnacle of psychiatric research.

If you believe that I have sand on a beach to sell you!!

Though I love all animals, I have a special affinity for kitties. I was born into a family that had cats. I've had them most of my life, including, with my husband. Adopting & rescuing. We'd also like to foster. We currently have three. I volunteer with the kitties at the local shelter. I have had different physical issues & for me, they've been a great source of comfort. In fact, I'm planning on getting them registered as support animals. I can only answer from my own experience, but, they've been a wonderful source of joy, inspiration, have uplifted & enriched me.