Is childhood cat ownership a risk factor for schizophrenia later in life?

@article{Torrey2015IsCC,
  title={Is childhood cat ownership a risk factor for schizophrenia later in life?},
  author={E Fuller Torrey and Wendy W Simmons and Robert H. Yolken},
  journal={Schizophrenia Research},
  year={2015},
  volume={165},
  pages={1-2}
}
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24 Citations
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Flawed analyses undermine proposed relationship between childhood cat ownership and schizophrenia
Curiosity killed the cat: no evidence of an association between cat ownership and psychotic symptoms at ages 13 and 18 years in a UK general population cohort
TLDR
This study strongly indicates that cat ownership in pregnancy or early childhood does not confer an increased risk of later adolescent PEs, and pregnant women should continue to avoid handling soiled cat litter.
A contribution to the Torrey et al.'s “cat ownershipinchildhood is a significant risk factor for laterdeveloping schizophrenia” study
Childhood Cat Bites Relate to Increased Adulthood Severity of Schizotypy, Psychotic-Like Experiences, and Social Anhedonia in a Transdiagnostic Psychiatric Sample
TLDR
One theory for these findings is that an unknown infectious agent common in cat saliva interacted with brain development in childhood to increase the likelihood of these symptoms.
Exposure to household pet cats and dogs in childhood and risk of subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
TLDR
Exposure to household pets during infancy and childhood may be associated with altered rates of development of psychiatric disorders in later life, and there were trends towards an increased risk of both disorders at defined periods of exposure.
The association between toxoplasma and the psychosis continuum in a general population setting
Cannabis and Psychosis: a Critical Overview of the Relationship
TLDR
It is concluded that both early use and heavy use of cannabis are more likely in individuals with a vulnerability to psychosis, and the role of early and heavy cannabis use as a prodromal sign merits further examination.
Dog and Cat Ownership Predicts Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study
TLDR
Dog and cat ownership may have different effects on adolescents’ mental well-being, implying that the underlying mechanisms that are activated by these types of ownership may differ.
Specificity and nature of the associations of twenty-four neuropsychiatric disorders with contacts with cats and dogs
Schizophrenia and Infections: The Eyes Have It.
TLDR
Careful ophthalmic assessments, including funduscopy and direct examination of tissues for infectious agents, will clarify the role of such agents in ocular aspects of schizophrenia.
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