Is your pet cat safe? Are you and your cat safe together? The answer is yes! It is not possible to contract Toxoplasmosis from petting or playing with a cat. As mentioned before, the primary way for a human being to become infected by T. gondii is by un-safe handling of cat litter that has not been disposed of properly and within five days of shedding.

Higher rates of T. gondii infection are seen in feral and homeless cats rather than in domestic cats, domestic cats can just as easily contract the resulting disease. Cats who scavenge for food or spend more time outdoors are more likely to come across an infected rodent, unclean soil or food products to consume, or contaminated cat feces.  Once exposed to the parasite, however, a cat develops immunity against T. gondii. This means they can only be infected one time while expressing symptoms, though very mild symptoms can occur from a second infection (1,3). Continue reading “You & Your Animals!”