Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats has welfare implications for infected animals while raising public health concerns due to environmental oocyst shedding.
Severe toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised cats causes multisystemic disease including pneumonia, encephalitis, uveitis, and hepatitis, all of which cause significant suffering. Young kittens infected congenitally may suffer severe neurological disease. For the majority of cats, infection is subclinical, but reactivation of latent infection during immunosuppressive disease or treatment can cause acute welfare crises. Managing toxoplasmosis risk through limiting hunting, prompt litter box hygiene, and veterinary monitoring in immunocompromised cats protects both cat welfare and public health.