Cuddling a cat can be good for the soul, but there's new evidence that handling its feces calls for care. A long-known parasite toxoplasmosis, found in the feces of cats, undercooked meat, or contaminated water, is associated with explosive emotions in some people, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Chicago found that the toxoplasma gondii parasite may be associated with intermittent explosive disorder, that is, impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior, or angry verbal outbursts in which your reaction is out of proportion to the situation.

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry on March 23.

Veterinarians have long warned pregnant women against the dangers of taxoplasmosis. While this research found no direct causal link, the findings reinforce the need to teach all clients, particularly those who have never cared for cats before, how to properly clean the litterbox.

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