https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii
Also because my cat is the cutest
What the hell does toxoplasmosis have to do with liking cats?
It inhibits the fear response in rodents, so they are more likely to cuddle up with cats
The joke being that humans are infected too
In rodents, T. gondii alters behavior in ways that increase the rodents’ chances of being preyed upon by felids. Support for this “manipulation hypothesis” stems from studies showing that T. gondii-infected rats have a decreased aversion to cat urine while infection in mice lowers general anxiety, increases explorative behaviors and increases a loss of aversion to predators in general. Because cats are one of the only hosts within which T. gondii can sexually reproduce, such behavioral manipulations are thought to be evolutionary adaptations that increase the parasite’s reproductive success since rodents that do not avoid cat habitations will more likely become cat prey
Apparently it is a popular American myth.
They can be friendly if you treat them right and they’re mostly low commitment.
Dogs need cuddles and pets daily. Cats can take care of themselves on a day-to-day basis.
With cats it feels like they just deal with you out of convenience. Dogs 100% love you and would die for you.
My cat actually acts a bit like a dog : follows me, wants pets, fiercely protective.
That is only because the cats sense that you don’t like them. If you actually liked them they behave pretty much as you experience dogs does to you.
Cats are independent and dogs are dependent. That’s why I like cats better. I also don’t want to deal with the death of a dog that I’d probably consider my best friend. No thanks.
In short, they’re like our siblings, minus the sibling rivalries.
Toxoplasmosis.
Only if you literally have AIDS or some other near-complete immune dysfunction.
TP is unique in being the only infection able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
