12 Best Urinary Cat Foods of 2023

Why would you move your kitty to a urinary cat food? How would you know that it might help with a problem, and what problem would that be!?

Well, are you noticing weird behavior in your cat lately? Has she been peeing around the house or refuses to use her litter box?

Cats do the most insane things and this makes them all the more lovable. But sometimes their strange behavior stems from underlying issues and one of the most common health scares is urinary health problems. But don’t panic, a simple diet change to one of the best urinary cat foods can fix this problem for your beloved moggy!

To read more on this story, click here: 12 Best Urinary Cat Foods of 2023

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The Joys of Owning a Cat

Owning a cat can bring unconditional love and companionship to your life. Having a feline friend can also help to relieve stress and improve your heart health.

Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding relationship. A cat has the ability to both calm your nervous system and provide an immediate outlet for fun and play. Although cats are independent animals who like to scavenge and explore on their own terms, they are also very affectionate with their owners and people they trust.

To read more on this story, click here: The Joys of Owning a Cat

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Postnatal Care of a Mother Cat and Her Newborn Kittens

While you've been an attentive cat owner, meeting the needs of your pregnant cat, after she has the kittens, you need to know your next steps. During this delicate time, your observational skills are essential. Take a look at some guidance on how to handle the mother cat and her kittens as well as warning signs of health issues and kitten developmental milestones.

Veterinarian Check

If you haven't already done so, after one week, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a well-check. If the mother cat was not vaccinated, this would be a good time to do it. Also, she might get treatment for roundworms, to protect both her and her kittens.

To read more on this story, click here: Postnatal Care of a Mother Cat and Her Newborn Kittens

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Why is My Older Cat Refusing to Use the Litter Box?

DEAR JOAN: One of my cats is a 15-year-old male that was feral. We’ve had him a good long time in the house, and, finally, after 10 years, he isn’t spending most of his time under a bed because there was a noise.

He has never had a problem holding everything until he could sneak out to the litter box in the dark and do his business. Then all of a sudden about two months ago he started peeing on the bath mat in one of our bathrooms. This was usually at night.

We started keeping the door shut, but he then started using the carpet in my office as his private commode, both peeing and defecating on it sometimes. I tried using some repellent that contained methyl nonyl ketone (didn’t want coyote pee smell, too) on the carpet with little or no effect on his behavior. I ended up discarding the carpet and now keep the door closed.

To read more on this story, click here: Why is My Older Cat Refusing to Use the Litter Box?

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Tips for Ferrets

We are seeing a large number of ferrets at our hospital, as we have the expertise of Dr. Tracey Ritzman, DABVP. This week’s post will just offer a broad overview of Ferret Ownership.

Background

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are members of the weasel family that have been domesticated for over two thousand years.

HEALTH

Ferrets have a lifespan between 6 to 8 years. They will require routine visits to your veterinarian for regular vaccinations (including canine distemper and rabies virus) and annual examinations. Ferrets are at risk of heartworms and fleas, so monthly preventative treatments should be used.

To read more on this story, click here: Tips for Ferrets

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Ferret, Mustela Putorius Furo, Fleas, Litter Box, 

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Japanese Artisans Launch Line Of Miniature Furniture For Cats

In the past, cat accessories and beds proved to be difficult to place in a room because they didn’t fit well with the overall ambience and aesthetic. A litter box just ruins the pristine cleanliness of a bathroom while a bulky cat bed ruins the inviting atmosphere of a bedroom. However, Japan could change just that.

A Japanese group of artists makes downsized furniture for cats

In their craftsman MADE collection, a group of artisans called Okawa Kagu decided to take advantage of the growing population of cat lovers by taking modern-day furniture and downsize it to a cat’s scale.

Fukuoka is home to over 150 furniture factories

To read more on this story, click here: Japanese Artisans Launch Line Of Miniature Furniture For Cats

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Why Does My Cat Pee on My Bed?

Inappropriate Urination
Cats typically want to urinate in their litter boxes! Naturally, a cat wants to bury its excrement so that predators cannot find it (or them!). It's instinctual and it makes the cat feel safe.

If a cat urinates inappropriately, especially in its owner's bed, there has to be a problem. The main culprits usually involve:

Medical conditions such as Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or kidney infection
Stress or anxiety
Problems with the litter box itself

Medical Concerns: Consider These First!
The first issue to consider if a cat has begun to urinate inappropriately and/or on the bed, is the possibility of illness or injury. Cats usually want to use their litter boxes and feel most comfortable using them, so it is not a good sign if a cat stops using theirs.

A complete check-up with a veterinarian is the best first step. Oftentimes a cat with a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection will urinate while sleeping, and our beds are a common place for cats to sleep.

Elderly cats may have difficulty getting in and out of the litter box, and may need some adjustments to help with this.

Medical issues can be complicated, so it is best to check for these first in order to be sure that the problem is not a physical one.

To read more on this story, click here: Why Does My Cat Pee on My Bed?

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Are You Choosing The Right Cat Litter, And Litter Box For Your Cat?

The best way to avoid litter box issues is to find the right cat litter box and cat litter that will keep your cat happy and comfortable.

There are many types of cat litter from which to choose, including those made of clay, corn, coconut husks, wheat, wood, walnuts, recycled newspaper or silica gel crystals. Each variety has its own benefits, so you can choose one based on your preference and your cat’s preference. A finicky cat will quickly let you know if they do not like their litter; take note, as cats will quickly develop bad habits (ie. not using their litter box) if their demands are not answered.

There are also many types of litter boxes, including open litter pans in a variety of shapes and sizes; covered litter boxes in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs; automatic and self-cleaning litter boxes; high tech litter systems; toilet training systems and decorative furniture options that hide the litter box.

Your Litter Options
The texture you select matters to your cat, as she will be stepping on it. Litter also comes in scented and unscented formulas, as well as varied degrees of absorbency and odor control. Litter products also offer different degrees of clumping, resulting in how scoop-friendly the product is to use.

Odor elimination is extremely important to pet parents, and litter products vary in their ability to eliminate odors. Scented litters are designed to mask odors from the litter box. Some cats can be deterred by strong scents and may prefer unscented litters. There are many scent-free brands that rely on ingredients such as carbon and natural plant extracts that work to absorb odors from urine and feces to reduce litter box smells, keeping both you and your kitty happy.

Some litters are also more earth-conscious, made from recycled or sustainable products and can be repurposed as mulch. Some are flushable.

Ultimately, the right litter for your cat is not only one that she is happy to use but also one that will effectively deal with odor issues. Here are the main types of litter and their characteristics:

Clay: This is the original cat litter and still the most popular type on the market. Clay clumps hard and quickly. Many brands rely on materials such as carbon and plant extracts to remove odors. Clay is not biodegradable. If anyone in your family has respiratory issues, this may not be the best option, as not all clay brands are dust-free.

Corn: Litter made from corn contains natural clumping and odor-absorbing materials. It is dust-free, biodegradable and earth-conscious. It’s available in natural and scented formulas.

Coconut husks: Litter made from coconut husks is dust-free, biodegradable, earth-conscious and made from a renewable resource. It clumps lightly, but is scoopable and can be recycled in garden compost with the clumps and fecal solids removed.

Wheat: Wheat contains starch inside the kernels, which makes the product clump and exposes natural enzymes that neutralize odors. Wheat litter is dust-free, biodegradable, earth-conscious and made from a renewable resource.

Wood: This type of litter comes in pellet form and is a natural pine wood by-product. The pine scent is a natural deodorizer. Pine litter doesn’t clump. Wood litter is dust-free, environmentally safe, biodegradable and can be used for landscape mulch and compost with the soiled product and fecal matter removed.

Walnut-based: Made from walnut shells, this litter is absorbent, biodegradable, earth-conscious and made from a renewable resource. It’s available in quick-clumping and non-clumping formulas.

Recycled newspaper: This litter is made from recycled newspapers and thus is eco-friendly. It is available in pellet form and absorbs urine. It does not clump. Works well with deodorizer additives.

Silica-based gel crystals: Silica is a natural mineral that is highly absorbent and can be re-used by one cat over a period of one month. The crystals absorb all moisture and appear dry again. They’re also trackless and dust-free.

Should you decide to switch to a new litter, the best way to transition is to do it slowly over a period of seven to 10 days by adding small amounts of the new litter to the old until you have transitioned over completely. This way, most cats will adapt to the new brand without incident.

If your kitty is avoiding her litter box, try giving her a simultaneous selection of different litter types to choose from by putting down three or four boxes with different litters in each one and see if she prefers one over another. This could be a quick fix for a litter box problem.

Note: If your cat starts to suddenly go to the bathroom outside of her litter box, your first call should always be to your veterinarian. Many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat’s litter box habits.

Because felines are finicky and possessive when it comes to litter boxes, a good rule of thumb is to provide one box per cat in the household, plus one extra, if possible.

Different Types of Litter Boxes
There is also a huge selection of litter boxes to choose from and it’s important to choose one that your cat is comfortable using. Whether you have a large adult cat or a tiny kitten, your litter box can never be too big. The way to gauge the correct size is to ensure that your cat can turn round comfortably inside without touching the edges. This is extremely important for adult cats because some breeds such as Maine Coons are bigger than others.

Rectangular open litter boxes are available in a variety of fun colors to match your home décor. Some styles have low entry points and high sides to contain litter inside the box when your cat digs and scratches. There are also designs that fit comfortably into a corner.

Covered litter boxes also come in a variety of styles and colors. Many are manufactured from materials that contain antibacterial properties to further control odors. Others have special carbon filters. Check the actual size of the elimination area inside a closed box to ensure it’s large enough for a big cat to circle around.

There is a growing selection of self-cleaning litter boxes that can be set to clean approximately 20 minutes after the cat has exited the box. These self-cleaning solutions rake the litter to remove the waste into a special cartridge that can be emptied on a weekly basis rather than daily. Timid cats may be scared by the noise of the cleaning mechanism even if they are in another part of the room when it starts raking. Consequently, such boxes are only ideal for very secure kitties.

High tech litter systems flush waste material and wash re-useable litter granules, meaning that feline pet parents never have to scoop. Such systems have to be attached to the plumbing system in your home. Again, it’s important to ensure that it’s positioned in an area where your cat is comfortable using it, such as a family bathroom.

Avoid placing litter boxes near noisy appliances such as a washing machine or dryer, which could spook your cat and cause her to avoid her litter box. Taking the time to select and maintain a litter box based on your needs and your cat’s preferences will go a long way toward avoiding negative litter box behaviors in the future and result in a happier, healthier life together.

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Why Does My Cat Kick Litter Out of Her Box?

Does your cat sometimes fling litter out of her box like party confetti? If so, there are usually some very simple reasons why.

Let’s consider normal feline elimination behavior. When cats eliminate in the litterbox, they typically follow a certain behavior pattern. First, they may inspect the litter material. Next, they may dig a shallow depression. Then, they eliminate. Afterward, some cats may try tocover their deposits. This is when they tend to get enthusiastic about the job and throw litter all around the box — and sometimes even outside the box.

If the sides of the litterbox are low, it is common sense that litter material may get “kicked” out of the container. The standard litterboxes we provide for our cats do not always take into account the full extent of a cat’s behavior when eliminating. 

Think Outside the Box

Wild cats exhibit the same behaviors as pet cats, but they do not have to deal with the constraints of alitterbox. I used to study feral cat behavior and observed numerous cats as they went about their business eliminating on a dairy farm. On the farm, where the cats were exposed to many “litter” substrates, they tended to dig in the finer substrates, such as sand and dirt, but they did not do this in grass or gravel. They were also able to fully extend their legs to rake the desired substrate, which they are usually unable to do in commercial litterboxes. Cats tend to spend more time manipulating the substrate they prefer. 

Size and Height Matters

If your cat always kicks litter out of his litterbox, consider getting one with higher sides. Or you can make your cat a larger litterbox by using a large plastic storage box with high sides (the ones I use are about 12 inches high) and cutting an opening in one side to allow easy access. This is also a good option for a cat who has  joint problems or other mobility issues — just make sure there are no sharp cut edges that could cause injury.

Some cats may also need a transition period, so leave the old box next to the new for one to two weeks, until you see the cat using the new box more frequently. Then you can remove the old box. You should also try to pick a box that is at least one and a half times the length of your cat from the tip of her nose to the base of her tail. Most traditional litterboxes are much smaller, so it’s no wonder if your cat is tossing some litter over the side.

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Things to Consider Before Adopting a Cat

Bringing a new pet into your home is an exciting event, but it is important to be prepared for the commitment. Cats have a reputation for independence but still require an investment of time and money. There are several things to consider before making the decision to adopt.

Do you have other pets in the home? Don't assume your pet will accept the newcomer with as much as excitement as the rest of your family. Particularly if the pet is older, a new addition can be stressful for both animals. Unfortunately, this is the exact time many people choose to add to their pet family. As the existing pet ages, he may become less “fun,” and the idea of adding a cute kitten is appealing. The older pet, justifiably, feels territorial, and may express his feelings in a variety of ways, including aggression toward the new pet, changing his toilet habits, refusing to eat or becoming less social with family members. If you have an older pet in the home, carefully consider how he may react before adding a new cat to the family.

Who will take care of the pet? It is easy to say that kids will, but, until they are in their early teens, it is unrealistic to hand over the responsibility of your new cat's care entirely to a child. Encourage children to help and feel free to assign pet care chores, but, unless you or your spouse is willing to assume total responsibility for the cat's care, reconsider adoption.

Is your home cat proof? Before bringing your cat home, take the time to walk through the house and determine how safe the home is for your new addition. Kittens are extremely playful and will make toys out of unlikely household items. Toilet paper, tissue, electric cords and houseplants are all tempting, and are all potentially dangerous.

Gather the necessary supplies before bringing your cat home. Once your cat is home, you'll want to spend time helping him become acclimated and comfortable in his new environment, not running to the nearest pet store. Your cat will need a litter box, litter, food, dishes for food and water, brush, nail clippers, a few toys and a bed or blanket. Arrange your cat's possessions to give him the best chance of success. Place the litter box in a quiet, out-of-the-way location. Place his food and water near the litter box, but not so close that he will be averse to using the box.

By spending some time thinking about what your new cat may need and preparing for his arrival, you increase the chances he will fit into the family with few problems.

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Ferrets Are Fun, Cute and Interactive Animals: But to be a Responsible Owner You Should First Decide if They Really Are the Right Pet for You

Ferrets are fun, cute and interactive animals, often described as perpetual kittens. But to be a responsible owner you should first decide if they really are the right pet for you.

Find out if ferrets are legal where you live. Just because the pet store sells them doesn't mean that they are legal to own in your area. They are currently illegal to own in Hawaii, California, and New York City, just to name a few.

Learn what ferret personalities are like. The word 'ferret' means 'little thief' in Latin. This is an omen to you of things to come. They enjoy selecting household items; not all of which belong to them; and hiding them in bizarre places. It may be your slipper, your keys, your computer mouse, your wallet, or rolled up socks. Giving them their own ferret-safe toys may help but will probably not completely eliminate this behavior. Ferrets are very playful and inquisitive critters when they're awake and need supervision to keep from getting into and/or eating things they shouldn't.

Decide if you will be able to let your ferret out of his cage for at least three hours a day. Ferrets can sleep up to twenty hours a day, but they need to be out of their cage for exercise regularly. They are not like hamsters or gerbils, they're a lot more like little dogs or cats and can become depressed and ill if they don't get out-of-cage time.

Decide if you can afford the expense of owning a ferret. Between the cage, accessories, food, treats, toys, litter, etc. your ferret could cost a huge chunk of change. Make a list of all the things you will need to buy and add up the total cost. If all you do is buy a cage, litter, and food you may be surprised with all of the other things you end up needing to keep your ferret happy and healthy. Initial costs of a single ferret can be up to $275. Similar to cats and dogs, they require regular flea treatment, grooming, vaccinations, and a toy or two.

Find out if your house or apartment is ferret safe or if you can ferret-proof your home. Ferrets can get into surprising areas. They have insatiable curiosity and will not cease seeking new places to wriggle into. Go on your hands and knees and look for holes in the walls, in the closets, behind your refrigerator, under your cabinets, under your furniture, and anywhere there might be a hidden opening for your ferret to crawl into. The two most common areas are inside the box spring under beds and inside furniture from underneath. Putting a sheet on the bottom of a box spring fixes the bed problem and you can cut a sheet to fit the bottom of furniture and staple it on, or you can take the feet off of furniture so its resting on the ground. If you have a recliner, the safest thing to do is get rid of it. There is no way to ferret proof a recliner and your ferret can get caught in the gears and be squished when someone reclines not knowing he's in there. When you bring your ferret home watch him carefully. He will show you all the places you missed.

Decide if your current pets and children are compatible with a ferret. Most dogs and cats will get along well with ferrets. It is like bringing home another small dog or cat to them. If your dog has a high prey instinct, (e.g. chases cats or squirrels) getting a ferret may not be a good idea. Your ferret will not be friends with hamsters, mice, gerbils, rats, rabbits, or any other small rodent. Your ferret will probably see these creatures and think how nice their new owners are for providing a good dinner. Birds and ferrets are also not a good mix and should not be kept in the same house. Children under twelve should always be supervised with a ferret to make sure it is handled properly.

Know that ferrets are only 'sort of' litter box trainable. In his cage a ferret will generally only 'go' in one corner. This is where you place his litter box. But ferrets also have a strong instinct to spread their scent over their territory, so they may have 'accidents' in other rooms of the house. Also, if a ferret is busy playing in one area of the house and needs to go, he will likely just shrug his shoulders and go in the nearest corner rather than trekking to his litter box and interrupting his playtime. Many ferret owners place multiple litter boxes around their home. Small corner litter boxes can be purchased and placed but realize that to even start to train the ferret it must be watched AT ALL TIMES.

Decide if you have the patience to deal with a ferret. Between stealing your socks, underwear, and keys; eating your hamster; needing a litter box in every room and displaying unending energy it's understandable that a ferret owner needs to be endowed with a bit of patience. If you found your ferret in the bathroom shredding every roll of toilet paper you own would you be more likely to say "Aww, how cute! He destroyed my bathroom!" or would you say "DIE FUR BALL!!!" Ferrets are delicate creatures and only live 5 to 10 years. If you buy a ferret, consider it a commitment. And if you aren't prepared for ferret ownership that is not the ferret's fault.

Research local ferret rescues and shelters. Consider adopting from a shelter rather than buying from a pet store. Most shelter ferrets are healthy, very loving, and have a head start on potty training.

Go to your nearest pet store. In the US, most pet stores are supplied with ferrets from a large-scale breeder in New York called Marshall. If your pet store does not receive their ferrets from there, inquire who the breeder is. For ferrets from Marshall, there will be a tattoo of two dots on the right ear meaning the ferret is de-scented and fixed. If there is no tattoo, you MUST ask if the ferret is de-scented AND fixed. Unless you are breeding, you NEVER want a whole ferret. Females will die if not bred properly and immediately with care. Males will be EXTREMELY aggressive and smell TERRIBLE. This is not a cat or dog, it MUST be fixed. If the ferret is not fixed and you cannot "afford" to have it fixed, you probably cannot afford to own the ferret.

Enjoy your new companion. Average life expectancy of a ferret is 8-11 years (about that of a cat). Always be sure to keep roughly $500 in savings specifically for ferret vet emergencies. Ferrets as they age can develop malignant tumors that must be treated immediately. They can also develop adrenal gland problems which causes hair loss and eventual death.

You may be interested in reading some of my other posts on Ferrets:

The New Rage In New York City:Illegal Ferret Parties

Ferret Adrenal Disease

Frequently Asked Questions About the Legal Status of Ferrets

Tips on What to Look for When Choosing a Pet Ferret

An Owner's Guide to Ferret Health Care

A Veterinarian Who Saves Ferrets He’s Never Met

Ferrets: Man's Other BestFriend

What Every Ferret Owner Should Know about Insulinomas

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Are You Thinking About Adopting a Kitten? - 10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt Two Instead of One!

Are you thinking about adopting a kitten? Here are 10 Reasons why you should adopt two instead of one!

1.  You're saving two lives instead of one.

If it's kitten season, that's one more kitten that will get a home instead of growing into an adult which will decrease its chance of getting adopted." It is entirely true that kittens are much easier to place than adult cats, and the 15-month-old cat you see in the shelter today is very likely a holdover from last year's crop of kittens. Another way of looking at it is that it's better to get all the kittens adopted out right away, to give the older cats a better chance at finding homes.

2.  One kitten can become lonely

A kitten left alone during the day can become lonely and bored, which sometimes can lead to mischief. Two kittens will never be lonely, especially if they are siblings. In fact, you'll often find situations in shelters and rescue group adoption where a cage will contain two kittens with a sign, "These kittens may be adopted only as a pair." Shelter volunteers recognize that siblings really need to stay together. And since shelters are often frightening, unfriendly places to small creatures, unrelated cats often form close bonds that should be respected when adoption time comes.

3.  One kitten can just drive an older cat nuts.

Although it might sound contrary, an older, established cat will probably accept two kittens better than one. One kitten will seek out the older cat as a playmate, or worse, tease and pester the senior cat which can cause stress to an older cat. The kitten in return, will be "rewarded" for his playful efforts with hisses and swats. Two kittens will expend their energy in play with each other, leaving their older "uncle" to relax in peace.

4.  Two kittens will "self-train."

Kittens learn by copying. If one kitten is quick to learn appropriate litter box use, the other will be likely to copy. They also help each other with grooming; washup after meals soon becomes a ritual with two kittens.

5.  They help each other burn off energy.

Even the most devoted human caregiver can quickly become exhausted by trying to keep up with the energy of a single kitten. Two kittens will play until they wear each other out, leaving their human parent free to just enjoy watching them. The downside to this, of course, sometimes you have double trouble, too!

6.  Fewer behavior problems with two kittens.

Many people who experience behavior problems with kittens find that some of them go away when they adopt another playmate. What may be perceived as mischief is often just the result of boredom. Much like their human counterparts, kittens sometimes misbehave because "negative attention is better than no attention."

7.  Curiosity overcomes "food finickyness."

If one kitten is finicky about food, the distaste is often overcome by curiosity at what its sibling is eating. (Feed one cat Same Old, the other cat New Stuff, and they both end up tasting the new stuff.)

8.  They act as pillows for one another.

Kittens will often play so hard that they simply flop where they are, and more likely than not, they will flop next to (or on top of) each other. There is no sight so endearing as two kittens curled up together for a nap. Their peaceful innocence can soften the heart of even the grumpiest curmudgeon, and the sight of that blissful moment will wash clean the slate of their previous misdoings.

9.  Having two kittens is insanely fun.

They're just so much darn fun to watch!

10. They will each have a friend for life.

Two kittens who grow up together will almost always be lifelong friends. Although they will sometimes have their little squabbles (what friends don't?) you will more often see them engaging in mutual grooming, playing together, and sleeping with their best pal.

If you are considering adopting a kitten, think about your best friend and consider whether you would deprive your kitten of the enrichment a friend brings to life.

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Study Suggests That Cat Poop Parasites May Pose Public Health Hazard

Here’s a sobering thought for every cat owner in charge of emptying the litter box: Felines deposit about 1.2 million metric tons of feces into the U.S. environment every year, a new study finds, and all that poop may pose an under-recognized public health hazard.

No one's saying to get rid of the kitties, but scientists who study an infectious parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii say they've found that the eggs of the bug are more widespread than believed, and that cat owners should take precautions when it comes to kids' sandboxes and backyard gardens.

That's even though there's evidence that fewer are becoming infected by the parasite and veterinarians say that responsible pet owners are actually at lower risk than others.

It’s long been known that some cat feces harbor the parasite known as T. gondii, which can cause human illness. Pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems have been warned for decades to avoid cat box duty because the resulting infections can cause congenital problems and serious illness.

But a new analysis by Dr. E. Fuller Torrey and Dr. Robert H. Yolken, scientists at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, finds that the parasite eggs, known as oocysts, may be more common than previously known – perhaps between three and 434 oocysts per square foot of soil, according to samples taken from places as diverse as California, China, Brazil, Panama and Poland.

In addition, it may take just a single oocyst to cause infection, an alarming thought when one estimate shows that the dirt under a gardener’s fingernails could harbor 100 oocysts, reported Torrey, the lead author of the study in the journal Trends in Parasitology.

“It may be a much bigger problem than we realize,” said Torrey, a psychiatrist who heads the Stanley Medical Research Institute in Chevy Chase, Md.

There have been outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in healthy people, not just pregnant or immune-compromised patients, he said. And recent studies have suggested -- although not proven -- that there may be a link between high levels of T. gondii antibodies and development of conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD.

“Some of us suspect that some of the important transmission may occur in childhood,” Torrey told NBC News.

Cats acquire the parasite when they eat infected prey, such as mice or birds, and then shed the oocysts in their poop. Children may ingest oocysts present in sandboxes and backyard dirt, said Torrey, who wants better control of the cat population, including feral cats, and better covering and monitoring of kids’ play areas.

“It should give you pause before you put your child in a public sandbox,” he said.

Still, even Torrey’s paper notes that there’s little evidence that owning a cat actually increases risk of T. gondii infection. And he acknowledges that the incidence of human toxoplasmosis, as measured through antibody levels, has decreased steadily in the U.S. and Northern Europe during the past two decades. A 2007 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in U.S.-born people ages 12 to 49 dropped from about 14.1 percent to 9 percent between 1999 and 2004.

That decline could be driven in part by increased freezing of meat, so fewer people are becoming infected with T. gondii tissue cysts from raw beef, for instance, he explained. The CDC says that toxoplasmosis caused by eating infected meat is a leading cause of deaths form foodborne illness in the U.S.

Overall, however, the CDC estimates that although 60 million men, women and children in the U.S. may be infected with the T. gondii parasite, very few have symptoms because the human immune system typically keeps illness at bay.

“This is not considered a big problem,” Torrey admitted.

Indeed, responsible cat owners are likely at lower risk than others, said Kimberly May, a veterinarian and spokeswoman for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Those owners empty litter boxes frequently, wash their hands and keep kids away from cat feces, she said. The bigger risk for T. gondii comes from gardening without gloves or failing to follow those precautions.

"We are concerned that cats are being the scapegoats for this," she said.

No question, the number of cats in U.S. homes is on the rise. Between 1989 and 2006, cat ownership increased about 50 percent, from 54.6 million to 81.7 million pets. During the same time, dog ownership rose by 38 percent, from 52.4 million to 72.1 million dogs. In 2012, 86.4 million cats were owned in the U.S, compared with 78.2 million dogs, according to statistics from the Humane Society of the United States.

The number of feral cats in the U.S. has been estimated at at least 25 million, but could be much higher, Torrey noted.

With about 1 percent of cats shedding oocysts at any given time, perhaps 55 million oocysts per day, it could be a more serious problem than is now recognized, Torrey contends. Oocysts can survive up to 18 months and perhaps longer, he noted.

“This should raise the public health concerns about the number of T. gondii oocysts being distributed in the environment, especially as we do not know the limits of oocyst viability or the true relationship between these oocysts and the human diseases with which they have recently been associated.”

That’s a view downplayed by infectious disease experts, including Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

He said that the recognized risks of toxoplasmosis infection are well known – and well communicated to the people who may be most affected, including pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

But the links between the infection and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are tenuous, he said.

“The association has been discussed, but it has not been completely accepted by everyone,” he said. “If people were convinced of that, we would have acted on it.”

Still, Torrey said he worries about what future research will confirm and wants pet owners to be proactive now.

Cats are nice pets, said Torrey, who emphasized that his intent was not to anger feline fans. But when his young granddaughter wanted a kitten, he advised her mom to say no.

“I don’t think that they are ideal pets for children,” he said. “I don’t think we know enough.”

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