Introduction from Michael (Admin): I feel that I have to introduce this article by Jo because it is a very complicated area and scientists write in a language which is not easily interpreted by non-scientists. In addition, studies are often a collation of information harvested from other studies and therefore they can compound inaccuracies or create confusion. In my opinion this whole area has become very confused and possibly misleading.
This study essentially is stating that there is an association between cat scratches and depression in the people who look after the cats. The association could be because depressed people are more likely to be scratched rather than the cat scratch causing the depression. That point is very important and needs to be made at the outset. The reason why a depressed person may be more likely to be scratched is because they might be more careless or perhaps have substance abuse problems causing careless handling of their cat(s).
Another interesting aspect of this study is that they appear to have debunked an association between toxoplasmosis and depression which has previously been written about quite a lot. To reiterate: they could not find an association between toxoplasmosis and depression. Also in multi-cat households the owner was less likely to be depressed.
What follows is Jo Singer’s article, to which I have added a few words:
A recent study (not the one I am writing about) performed on 1.3 million patients had showed a strong association between being bitten by a cat and the probability of being diagnosed with depression. The
authors had suggested that infection with cat parasite Toxoplasma could be a likely reason for this association.
The new study revealed that only the group that received cat scratches had a positive effect on depression. Cat biting and toxoplasmosis had no effect on the depression and the number of cats had a negative effect on depression.
The study found an absence of association between toxoplasmosis and depression and a five times stronger association with cat scratching than with cat biting which suggested that the pathogen responsible for mood disorders in animals-injured subjects is probably not the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii, but possibly another organism; the bacteria Bartonella henselae, the agent of cat-scratched disease.
Caveat: As stated an association between depressed people and cat scratches does not automatically mean scratches cause depression.
Bartonella henselae is another infectious zoonotic disease. It is caused by the gram-negative bacterial Bartonella henselae. This disease is commonly referred to as “cat scratch fever“, and is transmitted in cats through contact with flea feces. This bacterium is excreted through the fleas into the feces and is then deposited on the cat’s skin. As the cat grooms itself, he ingests the bacterium which then causes the infection in the cat.
Caveat: dogs can also cause cat scratch fever. This seriously complicates this discussion.
Bartonella symptoms in cats are generally muscle aches, swollen glands and a possible fever. Humans can contract the disease through a scratch or possibly a bite from a cat who is infected. The disease in humans is usually mild; however in some cases a Bartonella infection can become sufficiently serious to warrant a short hospitalization. It is children who are at a higher risk of contracting the disease since they are more likely to play with infected kittens who tend to scratch and bite.
Kitty guardians can reduce the risk of their cats becoming infected with Bartonella through the prudent use of a regular, safe flea prevention program that is recommended by veterinarians. With an easy and simple flea prevention program, you will not only help prevent your cats from contracting Bartonella, but, based on the conclusion that the study reached this may also serve to prevent depression which may be caused through contracting Bartonella.
It will be interesting to learn more about what further studies may reveal about the cause of mental illness. I sincerely hope there are no further associations between cats and mental illness since we all know that having a deep and loving bond with a kitty and our interactions with them often are more effective than psychotropic drugs and there are no negative side effects that are caused by the human-feline bond.
What are your reactions to the study? Tell us in a comment.
I agree with you. Declawing depresses me. It is horrific and it has to stop. Thanks Kat.
I am delighted my cats scratch it keeps me on my toes. I’m depressed by people who justify mutilating a cats life by amputation it’s toes for ANY reason. They simply are not your toes.
30 years, thousands upon thousands of cats, ferals, fosters, biters, scratches and never EVER had Cat Scratch Fever, or Toxoplasmosis (keep them indoors).
The reason for rubbish articles like this is to give you an excuse to amputate the toes of your magnificent beast to the tune of hundreds of thousands a year. Fear mongering that you will have deformed babies, you will get a fever and die, you might get an infection from a scratch!!!
Cats and babies are perfect.
Cats with claws are perfect. Alias, we aren’t dying emass from claw related disasters.
If we hurry America can be the 45 th country to see the unnecessary amputation of healthy toes a crime.
#NeverDeclaw #PawProject #Citythekitty #ScreamingMemeeesAgainstDeclaw
Very well said, Saralaya. You make an excellent point. Most often cat companions improve the mental health of those who care for them. In fact they improve our lives in many ways.
I have suffered from depression since age 12 and never had a pet of any kind until I was in my late 20s. My cats have ONLY had a POSITIVE effect on my depression. Now I don’t know that I’ve ever had cat scratch fever but I’ve had my share of scratches since I am really bad at claw clipping! Publishing something like this can only have a negative effect on people and negative outcomes for cats. If people are afraid to live with a cat or decide to give up their cats…I can’t even imagine the damage to all. There have been so many legitimate studies over the years proving what many of us know- that living with a pet improves mental and even physical health, especially cats. Mental illness already carries a tremendous unfounded stigma, this certainly will not advance the erasure of that stigma, which many of us work towards.
This actually sounds to me like a group of scientists totally conned someone for grant money to study a non-association that’s a bit of a stretch. The only reason I would be depressed by scratches or bites–and moreso when I was a kid–is that I would interpret them as meaning, “The kitty doesn’t like me! BWAAA!” Of course, as an adult companion of two affectionate felines I know that’s not true. Otherwise I might be a bit depressed because it hurts, especially if anything gets infected. Mostly I think cats help depression–I know a lot of people who probably would not have made it as far in life as they have without their cats.