It’s a small, everyday pleasure: finding your cat in your bed, letting yourself be lulled by its purrs, and sharing this sweet moment of complicity. But behind this habit, which many consider harmless, lies an often-ignored reality. What if your adorable furball was exposing you to a silent danger? A tiny guest we could do without…
Toxoplasmosis: What Few Cat Owners Know
We often talk about the well-being that pets provide. And it’s true! But when it comes to health, certain everyday actions deserve a little more attention. This is particularly the case when it comes to sleeping with your cat. Why? Because of a discreet but potentially dangerous parasite : Toxoplasma gondii .
This name may not mean anything to you, but it is the cause of toxoplasmosis, an infection that can go completely unnoticed… or become problematic for certain more vulnerable people.
A discreet parasite but not without consequences
This tiny parasite loves to lodge in the intestines of cats, especially those that eat raw meat or hunt. The result? It can end up in their feces, without the animal experiencing any symptoms.
In a healthy person, the infection often goes unnoticed, or seems like a simple bout of fatigue. But in pregnant women, unborn babies, or people with weakened immune systems, the effects can be much more worrying . That’s why it’s important to know the right reflexes, without falling into paranoia.
Cat scratch disease: an underestimated danger
Another often-overlooked condition is cat-scratch disease. It’s caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae , which is transmitted through a cat’s bite or scratch, even unintentionally while the cat is asleep. And that’s where the risk increases: when a cat is sleeping in the bed, it can lightly scratch its human while moving or playing without the cat noticing right away.
The symptoms? A localized redness that can develop into a painful lymph node, accompanied by fever, fatigue, and sometimes more serious complications in immunocompromised individuals. It’s not the most common illness, but it’s worth knowing about, especially if you have young children, vulnerable people at home, or simply if you sleep soundly, without feeling the slightest scratch at night!
