“There is a need for more high-quality studies in this field,” the authors emphasize<\/a> in their published paper.<\/p>\n Related: Adorable Cat Helps Scientists Discover New Virus (For Second Time)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This idea that cat ownership could be linked to schizophrenia<\/a> risk was proposed in a 1995 study<\/a>, with exposure to a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii<\/a> suggested as a cause. But the research so far has put forth mixed conclusions.<\/p>\n Studies have found<\/a> that being around cats during childhood might make a person more likely to develop schizophrenia; however, not all research<\/a> has found an association.<\/p>\n Some papers also link cat exposure to higher scores<\/a> on scales that measure traits related to schizophrenia \u2013 which affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors \u2013 and psychotic-like experiences, but again, other studies don’t show this connection<\/a>.<\/p>\n To get a clearer picture, McGrath and his team say there’s a need for a thorough review and analysis of all the research on these topics.<\/p>\n T. gondii is a mostly harmless parasite that can be transmitted through undercooked meat or contaminated water.<\/p>\n A bite from an infected cat, or the cat’s feces, can also transmit T. gondii can also be transmitted through a bite from an infected cat or through the cat’s feces.<\/p>\n Estimates suggest that T. gondii infects about 40 million people in the US<\/a>, typically without any symptoms. Meanwhile, researchers keep finding more strange effects that infections may have<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once inside our bodies, T. gondii can infiltrate the central nervous system and influence neurotransmitters. The parasite has been linked to personality changes<\/a>, the emergence of psychotic symptoms, and some neurological disorders, including schizophrenia<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, a link doesn’t prove T. gondii causes these changes or that the parasite was passed on to a human from a cat.<\/p>\n “After adjusting for covariates, we found that individuals exposed to cats had approximately twice the odds of developing schizophrenia,” the Australian team writes<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are some important things to keep in mind here, like the fact that 15 of the 17 studies were case-control studies.<\/p>\n This kind of research can’t show cause and effect, and it often doesn’t account for factors that may have affected both the exposure and the outcome.<\/p>\n The researchers also highlight the low quality of a number of the examined studies.<\/p>\n Results were inconsistent across studies, but those of higher quality suggested that associations in unadjusted models might have been due to factors that could have influenced the results.<\/p>\n One study found<\/a> no significant association between owning a cat before age 13 and later developing schizophrenia, but it did identify a significant link when narrowing down cat ownership to a specific period (ages 9 to 12). This inconsistency suggests that the critical window for cat exposure is not well defined.<\/p>\n A study in the US<\/a>, which involved 354 psychology students, didn’t find a connection between owning a cat and schizotypy scores. However, those who had received a cat bite had higher scores when compared to those who had not.<\/p>\n Another study<\/a>, which included people with and without mental disorders, discovered a connection between cat bites and higher scores on tests measuring particular psychological experiences. But they suggested other pathogens, such as Pasteurella multocida<\/a>, may be responsible instead.<\/p>\n Related: Cat Parasite Can Seriously Disrupt Brain Function, Study Suggests<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Before we can make any firm interpretations, the researchers reiterate that we need better and broader research.<\/p>\n “Our review provides support for an association between cat ownership and schizophrenia-related disorders,” the authors conclude<\/a>.<\/p>\n “There is a need for more high-quality studies, based on large, representative samples to better understand cat ownership as a candidate risk-modifying factor for mental disorders.”<\/p>\n![\"Diagram](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DiagramOfToxoplasmaLifeCycleFromCDC.gif\")
Toxoplasmosis is only known to reproduce in cats (1), but can be spread to humans through intermediate hosts (2, 5, 7) as well. (CDC<\/a>)<\/p>\n![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FuzzyGreyKittenLyingInKittyLitterBoxNextToHouseFurniture.jpg\")
Cat feces could be the source of toxoplasmosis. (frosted_vulpes_ferrilata\/Unsplash<\/a>)<\/p>\n![\"Subscribe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/health-newsletter-subscribe-promo-final-642x337.jpg\")
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