Be careful handling their shit. That’s how it spreads.
Cats can carry several brain parasites, most notably
Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect the brains of both animals and humans. Other parasites include flukes (
Paragonimus and
Schistosomes), various roundworms (
Baylisascaris procyonis,
Dirofilaria immitis), and insect larvae (
Cuterebra). These parasites can cause various symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to severe neurological issues like seizures, confusion, and paralysis, especially in immunocompromised individuals or the very young.
Common brain parasites in cats
- Toxoplasma gondii: This single-celled parasite can cause toxoplasmosis, often resulting in a mild, flu-like illness in healthy people. However, it can cause serious issues for immunocompromised individuals or during pregnancy, and is linked to potential behavioral changes in both humans and animals.
How cats get infected and pass the parasites
- Cats are the definitive host for T. gondii, meaning the parasite can only reproduce sexually inside a cat's intestines.
- A cat becomes infected by eating an animal (like a mouse) that already has the parasite.
- The parasite is then shed in the cat's feces, which can be ingested by other animals or humans.
- Humans can get T. gondii from accidentally ingesting feces, often by cleaning a litter box, or from consuming contaminated food or water.
- Other parasites can enter a cat's body through various means, including through blood or by migrating from adjacent tissues.