More important cats also carry diseases and parasites dangerous to humans.
Researchers found women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite got the bug from cat feces or eating undercooked meat and unwashed vegetables tainted by cat feces.
Over half of female cat owners are infected. Toxoplasmosis has been linked to mental illness, such as schizophrenia and suicidal depression. Over a million people succeed and another ten million attempt suicide worldwide each year - the majority of these are women.
Pregnant women can pass the parasite directly to their unborn babies.
The study found that women infected with T. gondii were one and a half times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those who were not infected.
Contrary to myth cats are not clean animals. Don't try to inform cat owners of these dangers. Most will get defensive and swill in denial. First sign the parasite has already taken hold..
