Children with cats have more than double the risk of developing schizophrenia

2023-12-12 15:31:40

Owning a cat is a major risk factor for schizophrenia; In fact, according to researchers from the Park Center for Mental Health (Australia), the risk is more than double.

In an article published in ‘Schizophrenia Bulletin‘, the team details the connections between cat ownership during adolescence and childhood and schizophrenia later in life.

The researchers conducted an extensive search for studies in various databases and literature from January 1, 1980 to May 30, 2023, without geographic or language limitations. They included studies that reported original data on cat ownership and schizophrenia-related outcomes. Of 1,915 studies identified, 17 from 11 different countries were used.

The data showed that cat ownership was associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders, a risk that nearly more than doubled the odds of developing schizophrenia-related disorders among all individuals exposed to cats.

While some studies suggest that childhood exposure to cats may be associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders, the exact age or specific period of exposure is not clearly defined in all studies.

Since what age?

The studies do not agree; while a study of Finland speaks of children under seven years of age, another work from the United Kingdom refers to ages 4 and 10.

Research suggests that the critical window of exposure needs to be better defined and could be influenced by several factors.

However, they write, more robust research is needed to precisely identify the specific period of exposure that could represent the greatest risk for schizophrenia-related disorders associated with exposure to young cats.

The overall risk trend centers on the interaction between the developing brain and feline exposure. But of course, it’s not just dating feline personalities that’s to blame for the increased risk. There is a causal agent that operates invisibly in cats’ environment and is probably the real culprit: Toxoplasma gondii.