Your cat’s poo may be having a big effect on your life and we’re not talking about having to take out the litter tray occasionally.

An organism carried in feline faeces, known as Toxoplasma gondii, could actually help you become a better entrepreneur by increasing your confidence, according to a new study.

It argued the protozoan parasite, which invades the brain, may cause personality changes associated with risk-taking, including a reduced fear of failure.

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Small gray kitten in plastic litter cat on floor (Picture: Shutterstock)

Dr Stefanie Johnson, from the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business in the US, and her fellow authors wrote: ‘Populations with higher T. gondii infection had greater intentions to start a business and higher levels of active entrepreneurship behaviours.



‘Countries with higher T. gondii prevalence generally had a lower fraction of respondents who cited “fear of failure” as a factor preventing them from initiating a business-related enterprise.’

The study looked at information from 1,300 US students and found those exposed to the parasite were 1.7 times more likely to be majoring in business, especially ‘management and entrepreneurship’.

Further analysis from 42 countries showed T. gondii infection was linked to ‘entrepreneurial activity’.

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Toxoplasma gondii parasitic Protozoa in a mouse brain (Picture: Getty Images)

But there are negatives also associated with the organism.

T. gondii infection has been linked to car accidents, neuroticism and suicide.

A study in rats showed the presence of the organism increased their chances of being killed because of their increased risk-taking.

But most of the time you’re most like to suffer from a mild flu rather than be seriously affected in any way.

The study appeared in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

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