Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

You don’t want to hear this, but cats may be bad for your health

Mary Johnson
By

We’ve shared our homes with cats for over 10,000 years, but our feisty feline companions still hold an air of mystery about them. From their hilarious antics to their regal appearance, there’s something about cats that makes them the most popular house pet in the United States. Unfortunately, bringing home that precious tabby you saw might not be the best idea for everyone.

In some cases – as much as it pains us to be the bearer of bad news – owning a cat could be the worst thing you can do for your health. We’ll give you the lowdown on why cats are bad for your health. (We’re sorry. It hurts us, too.)

Closeup of a woman's hand stroking a gray British Shorthair kitten's chin.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can cats affect your health?

According to Dr. Greg Fricchione, a psychiatrist and the director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine (a Harvard-backed facility), “We do best medically and emotionally when we feel securely attached to another because we’re mammals and that’s the way we’ve evolved.” The bond you share with your cat can help you feel more emotionally satisfied, and it’s been scientifically proven to reduce your risk of suffering from a stroke or heart attack. Sadly, that’s not always the case. For some people, the risk of owning a cat far outweighs any potential health benefits. 

Recommended Videos

Who shouldn’t own a cat?

Some experts say that owning a cat can do more harm than good. If you fall under one of the following categories, you might want to think twice about adopting that adorable kitten you saw at the shelter. At the very least, we recommend speaking to your doctor about whether or not it’s safe for you to have a cat. Conditions that make cat ownership dangerous include:

Pregnant women

Cats can spread an infectious disease called toxoplasmosis, which ordinarily doesn’t cause symptoms in most animals – or even humans. Toxoplasmosis is spread in your cat’s feces after the cat ingests an infected animal or anything contaminated with feces from an infected animal. While toxoplasmosis won’t harm your cat, the simple act of cleaning a litter box can put a woman’s pregnancy in grave danger. With an estimated 15-40% of cats being exposed to toxoplasmosis at some point in their lives, you might want to hold off on adopting a cat if you are or are planning to become pregnant. 

A gray tabby cat clinging to a woman's hand while biting it.
Sozina Kseniia / Shutterstock

Those with compromised immune systems

If you’re immunocompromised due to a health condition or as a result of medication, owning a cat can be dangerous. Sharing your home with a cat puts you at increased risk of the following:

  • Diarrheal diseases, such as Giardia, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidiumparvum: Salmonellosis is especially dangerous if you’re immunocompromised. With a high morbidity rate, this disease may cause sepsis, which is potentially life-threatening to immunocompromised patients. 
  • Tuberculosis: While incredibly rare – there have only been six documented cases of a patient contracting the tuberculosis-causing M. bovis bacteria from their cats in 150 years – a compromised immune system means your risk of infection is much higher than a healthy individual’s. 
  • Cat scratch disease (CSD): Commonly referred to as cat scratch fever, cat scratch disease occurs roughly three to 14 days after an individual has been bitten or scratched by an infected cat carrying the Bartonella henselae bacteria. Symptoms include exhaustion, fever, swollen lymph nodes, poor appetite, and headache. In rare cases, CSD can cause sepsis, swelling of the brain, and it can even infect the heart. In severe cases, cat scratch disease can be fatal.

Asthma

Asthma sufferers are painfully familiar with the lightheadedness and shortness of breath brought on by an asthma attack. If you have even a mild cat allergy, exposure to a frisky feline can trigger your asthma. Cats carry a protein called Felis Domesticus 1 (Fel D1 for short) in their urine, saliva, and dander. Exposure to this protein can set off allergy and asthma attacks. 

An amber-eyed black cat bites a woman's finger.
dashtik / Shutterstock

All hope is not lost

By now, you may be disheartened and wondering if you’ll ever be able to adopt a cat, and if you already have one, you might be worried you’ll have to rehome your furry companion. We have some good news – it’s not all gloom and doom. Studies show that children reared in a household with cats are actually less likely to develop asthma and allergies. Unless you have severe allergies or have been advised against adopting one by your doctor, you should be able to share your home with a cat. 

  • If you’re pregnant, immunocompromised, or allergic, we recommend taking several precautions if you already have cats (or you’re determined to adopt one anyway). 
  • Always wear gloves when cleaning the litter box or picking up hairballs. 
  • Bathe your cat frequently to reduce allergens, or consider adopting a hypoallergenic cat. Most importantly, never allow your cat to go outside or feed her raw meat, which could expose her to a multitude of disease-causing bacteria. 

If you’re very careful – and you have your doctor’s approval – you can reduce the risks of cat ownership.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Wondering how to keep cat warm in cold weather – here are 9 effective ways to help your pet stay toasty
Try these tricks to keep your cat from being cold
A Maine Coon cat reaches his snow-covered paw toward the camera.

There are many reasons why your feline fur baby should remain exclusively indoors, but it's all the more important to keep your cat inside during the winter months. A blanket of snow may look stunning, but it makes it difficult for outdoor kitties to find their way home. The potential for accidents also increases due to decreased visibility and the presence of black ice.

Even if your cat stays indoors all the time, you'll still need to take extra steps to keep her warm during the cool weather. Some homes are naturally drafty, and with snow and ice accumulating on utility lines, the chance of power outages increases as well. Wondering how to keep cats warm in cold weather? Here are nine useful tips to get you started. 

Read more
Do cats get cold outside? Veterinarians explain what temperature is too low for outdoor kitties
Here's how you can tell if you cat needs to come in from the cold
A black cat with a dusting of snow on her coat stands outside

If your cat is an indoor/outdoor pet, he likely loves to pop outside to explore even when the temperatures drop. There are plenty of cold-weather cats who have thick coats and seem to do well outdoors in the winter, but it's important to consider your cat's comfort and safety before letting them roam the winter wonderland.

Cold temperatures can affect cats and threaten their health, and extreme temperatures can even lead to a cat's death. As scary as that sounds, it doesn't mean you can't let your cat out in the frigid temps. Instead, it's important to understand how cold is too cold and what extra care your cat may need to stay comfy in chilly weather. Don't worry; we'll explain.

Read more
Do cats sleep more in winter because they’re depressed? Here’s what to know about seasonal changes in felines
Do they experience seasonal depression? Find out here
Cat sleeping on a beige fleece blanket

When the winter weather hits and the days become shorter, gray, and overcast, it can be all too tempting to climb into your PJs early and call it a night. Chances are -- your cat is right there with you! If you think you're noticing your feline friend sleeping more frequently or for longer periods of time during the winter, you might not be imagining things.
Cats' sleeping habits can change for many reasons! Anything from a change in diet to a new family routine can change the way a kitty sleeps or how long they spend napping. It's important to keep track of your cat's sleep, though, because big changes can sometimes indicate health issues in pets. So, do cats sleep more in winter? And why do they spend so much time snoozing?

Do cats sleep more in winter? If it seems like it, you're not just imagining things
You're not crazy if you feel like cats sleep more in the winter -- it's totally true! The ASPCA reports that cats typically sleep between 12 and 20 hours per day, but in the winter, they may sleep even more. Many people and other pets -- like dogs and hibernating species -- can relate!
That increase in sleep may be because of a natural, seasonal change in animals' circadian rhythms -- the daylight hours are shorter, after all -- but your cat might also be picking up on your own changes in routine. If you're headed to bed a little earlier than usual, they might too.

Read more