Study: Cat Litter Associated With Suicide Risk


Cats: They’re cute.  They’re fuzzy.  And they could cause you to try to kill yourself.

FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig explains:

Audio clip:

An international study, finding that a parasite found in cat litter boxes is associated with a one-and-a-half times greater risk of suicide attempts among women.  Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite in the U.S.

(Dr. Postolache) “Approximately 1-in-10 people is infected.”

But it hides in most people.

(Dr. Postolache) “It causes no symptoms, or minimal symptoms.”

Dr. Teodor Postolache authored the study at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.  The parasite has a permanent host in felines, and is known to have harmful effects on pregnant women.  But it is most commonly passed through undercooked meat or improperly washed vegetables.

The increased risk, limited to those with active or chronic infections.

Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Postolache recommends cleaning cat litter boxes every 24 hours, fully cooking and cleaning foods, and using different knives to cut uncooked and cooked meats and vegetables.