Good Health Lessons from My Cats

Posted on by Joyful2bee
Two Friends

My two cats taught me many lessons about healthy living. (I wrote this long before my second cat, Sister passed over. But I still think of her often.) After being owned by two cats, I can say un-CAT-egorically that I am a cat person. The CATharsis of sitting on the couch with one cat in my lap, as I stroke her fur or watch the other cat entertain me with her antics, can be quite healing.

Interestingly, they each have totally different personalities. Norie, the black cat, is extroverted, charismatic, curious, playful, mischievous, and involved in whatever is going on. Sister, the grey tabby, is introverted, quiet, sweet-natured, gentle, timid, thoughtful, and content to sit quietly beside the computer while I type away. Through their habits and differences they remind me of things I need to remember to help maintain good health. So I will share five of those tidbits here. 

Be curious.

Black cat smiling at bubbles.
Should I try to eat it or pop it?

Norie is fascinated by new things and explores them to learn about them. I frequently blow  bubbles for her. She watches them, paws at them gently, and meows her excitement. The old saying went, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Later a more appropriate ending was added: “It was the answer that brought him back.” Be curious, think about the whys and hows of everyday things. Curiosity is mentally stimulating and therefore good for your brain!

 Look out the window.

Norie and Sister love to look out the window to watch squirrels and birds and are mentally and visually stimulated by what they see. Likewise, when we have been hammering away at something and need a quick break, looking out the window may provide the diversion that we need to kick start our focus and creativity. And, you just may see something you weren’t expecting. I was shocked one day to see a hawk sitting on a limb outside my window!

Likewise, we need to get up and get away from the TV or anything that has held our attention for too long and go look out the window.

Be playful.

Norie often plays the “I’m not touching you game” with Sister. Lying on her back and looking upward at Sister, Norie paws at her until she gently taps Sister’s chin and Sister darts in for a quick wrestle and runs off.

Norie playing "I'm not touching you."
Norie playing “I’m not touching you.”

Play is healthy in all ages and many other creatures of the world include play in their relationships. (How do cats know these things??) Find new ways to play.

CATch some “Rays.”

I often find one or both cats lying on their back or curled up in a ray of the sun. They seem to love the warmth and comfort of the sun on their fur. Even though we have to use sunscreen, sunshine is good for us too. (Guess what a good source of Vitamin D is?)

Black cat asleep in sunshine.
Norie asleep in a ray of sunshine.

Being in the sun and therefore outdoors, usually means we are being active or getting out of the house, which is almost always healthy.

Enjoy Friends

Sister and Norie sleeping together.

Norie and Sister were friends but not like siblings. I could see times when they seemed quite comfortable with each other. They developed a friendship which allowed them to play, eat, sleep, and enjoy the sun together. Here they are watching birds or squirrels out of my bedroom window.

Sister and Norie watching birds or squirrels.

We can learn some healthier survival tactics from watching our pets or just animals in the wild.

44 thoughts on “Good Health Lessons from My Cats”

  3. I have seen all these traits with my feline children. I have probably been “owned” by most of them….after all, my children are NOT spoiled, they have me well-trained!! LOL Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. Ernie, I don’t think I responded to any of your comments! Thank you for reading my blogs and articles. Hugs!! Please keep on following me. I promise to write good stuff!

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  8. Pingback: Photos of Norie Growing Up – joyful2beeblogs
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  13. Great photos and lessons learned. I have had many cats over the years and they all had different personalities. People who have never had a cat do not know what they are missing. I miss all of mine that have crossed over the bridge. But one from many years ago and three from a few years ago I miss most of all, they were really special.

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    1. I agree. Norie is a big part of my life. She is so much fun,
      interesting and actually pretty smart. I had to have my other cat put to sleep because of a pituitary tumor which caused her to have diabetes which we could not bring under controll. She would have eventually had a stroke or kidney failure. I couldn’t afford to go through those things nor could I let her suffer. She was a sweetheart and so affectionate.

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      1. I am so sorry about Sister, but I understand. I can’t stand to see any pet suffer. Two of my last three were put to sleep because of kidney failure that nothing could be done about. They would not eat or drink water. I am glad you have Norie.

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        1. Thank you. Sister lived about 9 or 10 years with Norie and me. You andxI appear to gave a lot in common. I don’t kill bugs unless it’s necessary. I have always been interested in Native American cultures. I respect and love trees and critters. Thanks for sharing with me.

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          1. Yes, it does seem we have a lot in common. I have a very large place in my heart for the Native American people. My son-in-law is Native American and some of my ancestors married Native Americans.

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            1. Wow! I am only 1% Native American. But I have a friend who is a little older than I am who is part Cherokee and taught at the Cherokee city for tourists. She also loves cats and has taught me a lot about Native Americans as well as Cherokee.

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            1. That’s true. I try to use natural light instead of the flash; because’ as you may know, with pupils open the flash is uncomfortable to their eyes. But sometimes you can take a photo from another angle and they don’t mind.

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  15. Wonderful play on CAT in so many words I had not even noticed Joy. Lovely. I agree with your point that we learn alot about living from pets. I do not have pets but enjoy reading posts about them. Thank you so much, again Joy. Have a lovely Sunday!

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