Cuddling up with your cat at bedtime might feel comforting, but experts say this cozy habit could carry an invisible health risk—especially for certain vulnerable individuals.
One of the most serious concerns is toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a tiny parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. While millions of people share their beds with their pets without issue, the reality is that cats can carry this parasite without showing any signs of illness.
Toxoplasmosis typically spreads through contact with infected cat feces. Cats may pick up the parasite by hunting small animals like birds or rodents, or from eating raw meat. Once infected, a cat can shed the parasite in its waste, potentially contaminating the environment—including your home or bedding—if hygiene precautions aren’t followed carefully.
For most healthy adults, toxoplasmosis might pass unnoticed or cause only mild symptoms that resemble the flu. But for pregnant women, newborns, or anyone with a weakened immune system, the consequences can be severe. In some cases, the infection can lead to serious complications, including neurological damage or harm to a developing fetus.
How to Protect Yourself Without Giving Up Cat Cuddles
Cuddling up with your cat at bedtime might feel comforting, but experts say this cozy habit could carry an invisible health risk—especially for certain vulnerable individuals.
One of the most serious concerns is toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a tiny parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. While millions of people share their beds with their pets without issue, the reality is that cats can carry this parasite without showing any signs of illness.
Toxoplasmosis typically spreads through contact with infected cat feces. Cats may pick up the parasite by hunting small animals like birds or rodents, or from eating raw meat. Once infected, a cat can shed the parasite in its waste, potentially contaminating the environment—including your home or bedding—if hygiene precautions aren’t followed carefully.
For most healthy adults, toxoplasmosis might pass unnoticed or cause only mild symptoms that resemble the flu. But for pregnant women, newborns, or anyone with a weakened immune system, the consequences can be severe. In some cases, the infection can lead to serious complications, including neurological damage or harm to a developing fetus.
How to Protect Yourself Without Giving Up Cat Cuddles
