Can cat owners really get schizophrenia from their cats?

[Alnitak7]

I just came across this article.

"Is your cat making you crazy?" from the New York Post. I had never heard of anything like this before.

http://nypost.com/2015/10/25/cats-may-be-behind-rise-of-schizophrenia-researchers

As stated in this article, when people don't wash their hands and don't disinfect the surfaces in their homes they can get sick. In this case the idea that someone can "catch schizophrenia" can sound kind of silly.

If this is true, it's important to get the facts out into the general public.

[No Stars In My Eyes]

This. My cats ignore me in themorning, expect me to use my opposable thumbs to open the cans of cat food when I get home from work, and then love to be social once they've eaten. In fact, I only get about 1/3 of my bed because they all want to sleep with me. And of course, the four of them fight amongst themselves over which two get petted.

That's why my 'rule' is: no more pets than you have hands to scratch them with. Two if fine, anymore than that and there's jealousy.

And, my hubby is no cat, but he is also more social after he's eaten a meal, as well.

[Farawyn]

I talk to my cats. My family thinks I'm the insane one.

Yes, they talk back.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I talk to my cats. My family thinks I'm the insane one.

Yes, they talk back.

Your family are the insane ones for not understanding what the cats are saying. I have complete conversations with my cats every day.

[Farawyn]

Your family are the insane ones for not understanding what the cats are saying. I have complete conversations with my cats every day.

((((((Poopy)))))

You are my frand.

Yes, my family does not know what "Prrrrow???!" means.

Can you imagine?

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I consider myself to be bilingual because I speak & understand fluent cat.

Wait a minute. Does that mean I'm catty?!

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I speak fluent cat. Used to have a maine coon that had an incredible variety of vocalizations, each of which had a specific meaning. And our current bengals don't have as extensive a range but do have specific sounds for what they want.

[Farawyn]

I speak fluent cat. Used to have a maine coon that had an incredible variety of vocalizations, each of which had a specific meaning. And our current bengals don't have as extensive a range but do have specific sounds for what they want.

So "Prrrrow???!" is Basic Cat.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

So "Prrrrow???!" is Basic Cat.

Your cats must speak a different dialect than mine. My cats always say "Mrowwww! It has several meanings but most often it means "pay attention to me if you know what's good for you ".

[Farawyn]

Your cats must speak a different dialect than mine. My cats always say "Mrowwww! It has several meanings but most often it means "pay attention to me if you know what's good for you ".

Lawn Guyland Kitteh

[No Stars In My Eyes]

When I worked at the museum animal room, sometimes I had to bring baby or injured animals home to my apartment to continue the feedings or meds or tx required.

My cat at that time was Otis, and he was a pretty laid back fella, but the cat in him could not resist expressing an interest in the various creatures that showed up sometimes.

He never tried to stalk or pounce, but he did get a particular 9-yard-stare whilst imagine what he might, as a cat, be tempted to do.

One time when I had two baby screech owls (fluff, no feathers) and I wanted them to get a bit of exercise and strengthen their wings, so I let them out of the cage and put them on the back of the sofa where I was sitting. The sofa was against some long drapes, and those li'l birdies climbed UP the drape, using their beaks and talons and they spread their wings out to kind of balance themselves as they worked their way up.

Well, Otis got 'that' look on his face while staring with intense interest at those baby owls. I said, out loud:

​"Don't even THINK about it!"

One ear tipped back toward my voice and then he rippled his back in annoyance, as if to say "I am NOT thinking..."

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

Lawn Guyland Kitteh

I was about to ask what this meant & then I had a lightning bolt moment & figured it out!

My sister's late husband grew up on Lawn Guyland.

[Illuminati]

They don't call them 'crazy cat owner' for nothing, eh? 😂

I could not help myself.