62 ms·

Toxoplasma Gondii is noted for causing behavioral differences in infected hosts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii#Behavioral_differences_of_infe

by chasil 10mo ago

Toxoplasma Gondii is noted for causing behavioral differences in infected hosts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii#Behavioral_differences_of_infected_hosts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii#Behavioral_d...

andrekandre 10mo ago
after reading the whole wiki on that thing.... kind of terrifying... was thinking of getting a cat but maybe not anymore...
- adastra22 10mo ago
  Just keep your cat indoors. FWIW the health impacts of a rodent infestation are probably worse than the cat parasite thing. Best defense against mice/rats is a feline friend.
  - esperent 10mo ago
    > Just keep your cat indoors. Maybe if you have a big house, but I keep seeing people keep cats or dogs in small houses or even apartments and it feels so sad, it's a kind of animal abuse. If you can't give your pet a good life you should not get a pet.
    - aspect0545 10mo ago
      What if it’s a small apartment, but the life is a significant albeit marginal improvement over life in a shelter? Would it make a difference if it were a shelter where animals are killed after a certain period without being adopted? Please note that I’m on purpose phrasing this to be a bit contrarian. Not trying to rattle any cages (no pun intended), just found myself initially agreeing with you and then not being sure anymore.
      - adastra22 10mo ago
        I grew up with many cats, all outdoor. I have since known many cats that are kept indoor only. The indoor pets lead happier, less stressful lives. We tend to forget that it is a jungle out there, and even domestic animals have territorial fights and pecking orders. Indoor only cats live comparatively peaceful and stress free lives.
        Jach 10mo ago
        Zoo keepers sometimes experiment with giving their tigers or other big cats larger enclosures, but that can increase their stress because now they have a bigger territory to patrol.
        adastra22 10mo ago
        Cats love boxes for a reason :) Growing up my cat would get antsy and stressed if she hadn’t gone outside in a day. I can see how people can mistake this for needing space, but it wasn’t relaxing for her. She had to go out to remark her territory, and seek out any stray cats encroaching on her space. Noticeably very stressful for her! In the end when she couldn’t retainer her territory anymore, she went in fast decline.
    - DerArzt 10mo ago
      If you're in the new world (the Americas) house cats are an invasive species that, when let to roam outside, harm the native small animal population. Cats shouldn't be left outside to roam free in this situation.
      - adastra22 10mo ago
        Small animals that carry lethal diseases.
  - Wobbles42 10mo ago
    Best defense against rats and mice is a ferret friend. Their odor is far more effective at deterring rodents than felines are.
    - adastra22 10mo ago
      Unfortunately illegal to own where I live :(
richardatlarge 10mo ago
And see here :) https://usop.substack.com/ https://usop.substack.com/

by chasil 10mo ago

andrekandre 10mo ago

after reading the whole wiki on that thing.... kind of terrifying... was thinking of getting a cat but maybe not anymore...

adastra22 10mo ago
Just keep your cat indoors. FWIW the health impacts of a rodent infestation are probably worse than the cat parasite thing. Best defense against mice/rats is a feline friend.
- esperent 10mo ago
  > Just keep your cat indoors. Maybe if you have a big house, but I keep seeing people keep cats or dogs in small houses or even apartments and it feels so sad, it's a kind of animal abuse. If you can't give your pet a good life you should not get a pet.
  - aspect0545 10mo ago
    What if it’s a small apartment, but the life is a significant albeit marginal improvement over life in a shelter? Would it make a difference if it were a shelter where animals are killed after a certain period without being adopted? Please note that I’m on purpose phrasing this to be a bit contrarian. Not trying to rattle any cages (no pun intended), just found myself initially agreeing with you and then not being sure anymore.
    - adastra22 10mo ago
      I grew up with many cats, all outdoor. I have since known many cats that are kept indoor only. The indoor pets lead happier, less stressful lives. We tend to forget that it is a jungle out there, and even domestic animals have territorial fights and pecking orders. Indoor only cats live comparatively peaceful and stress free lives.
      - Jach 10mo ago
        Zoo keepers sometimes experiment with giving their tigers or other big cats larger enclosures, but that can increase their stress because now they have a bigger territory to patrol.
        adastra22 10mo ago
        Cats love boxes for a reason :) Growing up my cat would get antsy and stressed if she hadn’t gone outside in a day. I can see how people can mistake this for needing space, but it wasn’t relaxing for her. She had to go out to remark her territory, and seek out any stray cats encroaching on her space. Noticeably very stressful for her! In the end when she couldn’t retainer her territory anymore, she went in fast decline.
  - DerArzt 10mo ago
    If you're in the new world (the Americas) house cats are an invasive species that, when let to roam outside, harm the native small animal population. Cats shouldn't be left outside to roam free in this situation.
    - adastra22 10mo ago
      Small animals that carry lethal diseases.
- Wobbles42 10mo ago
  Best defense against rats and mice is a ferret friend. Their odor is far more effective at deterring rodents than felines are.
  - adastra22 10mo ago
    Unfortunately illegal to own where I live :(

richardatlarge 10mo ago

And see here :) https://usop.substack.com/ https://usop.substack.com/