Although it might seem innocent, sleeping with your cat However, were you aware that you can be susceptible to a possibly fatal illness?

Around the world, millions of people share their beds with their felines.

Few people are aware that this behavior can have major negative effects on one’s health, even though many people view it as a symbol of love and connection.

The most serious illness you can get from sleeping with your cat is toxoplasmosis, out of all the illnesses that cats can spread.

Toxoplasma gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.

Infected cats’ feces may contain this microbe, particularly if they hunt mice and birds or consume raw meat.

Cats can be silent carriers of the parasite even though many of them don’t exhibit any symptoms.

Toxoplasmosis might go undetected or cause mild flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals.

However, it can be disastrous for newborns, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

Sleeping with cats is a common practice, but it’s not completely innocent.

If precautions aren’t followed, toxoplasmosis, a disease that is silent, can cause devastation.

Here are some things you can do if you enjoy cuddling with your cat but want to be safe:

Clean the Litter Box Safely:

When cleaning the litter box, put on a mask and gloves (or have someone else do it).

Cleaning the box every day lowers the danger because oocysts typically take 1–5 days to become infectious.

Handle the litter and then properly wash your hands.

Keep Your Cat Indoors:

Indoor cats are less likely to shed oocysts and consume contaminated prey.

Limit your cat’s exposure to places where they might come into contact with sick animals if they go outside.

Practice Good Hygiene:

Keep your hands clean before handling food, especially after handling the litter box or anything that may have come into contact with it.

There’s no reason to put your cat at risk by kissing their mouth, and you don’t want to spread any parasites or bacteria.

Safe Cooking Practices:

Consuming undercooked meat might potentially result in the infection of toxoplasmosis. Make sure all of the meat is cooked through if you are immunocompromised or pregnant.