Although you may hold suspicions about your neighbor who feeds the local stray cats, new research has found no link between owning a feline and exhibiting psychotic symptoms. The University College London findings cast doubt on previous research, which suggested that people who grew up with cats are at a higher risk of mental illness. Cats are a primary host of Toxoplasma Gondii (T. Gondii), which is associated with mental health conditions like schizophrenia. “Our study suggests that cat ownership during pregnancy or in early childhood does not post a direct risk for later psychotic symptoms,” Dr. James Kirkbride, the study’s senior author, said in a news release. As such, we recommend that pregnant women should continue to follow advice not to handle soiled cat litter in case it contains T. Gondii.”

Source: Fox News February 22, 2017 16:07 UTC