Having a cat as a pet could potentially double a person’s risk of schizophrenia-related disorders, according to a recent study.
This idea that cat ownership could be linked to schizophrenia risk was proposed in a 1995 study, with exposure to a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii suggested as a cause. But the research so far has put forth mixed conclusions.
A study in the US, 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.
Another study, 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 may be responsible instead.
The researchers agree that better and broader research is needed before we can make any firm interpretations.
“In conclusion, our review provides support for an association between cat ownership and schizophrenia-related disorders,”
Three of my cats told me this is not true.
Source: Three cats with PHDs.
Or could it be that people with mental illness are frequently loners or ostracized, so they seek the company of a pet cat? Until they have a physiological evidence of the mechanism, I choose [Doubt].
Yeah that’s what I am wondering after reading the article and thinking about it.
I wonder how many of these people with mental illness have pets in general? How many are loners. How many have dogs, etc. other pets. - would be interesting to see if those stats on cats still hold up if you had a much bigger picture of the overall population
Researchers: “In conclusion, our review provides support for an association between cat ownership and schizophrenia-related disorders”
People who lack basic reading skills: “The link between cats and schizophrenia is real!”
The conclusion is that they are nowhere near a conclusion.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis
IF the link turns out to be causal, I know where I’m placing my bet.
