Pregnancy and your cat (eating, litter, house, kitty)

[amy_sk]

How did you handle your cat when you/wife or somebody else in the household was pregnant?
I have been reading online on many sites and some say only precaution is not to touch the cat litter because of toxoplasmosis. and then some say, to get rid of the cat.
I am SO confused now.

If you can post your experience or somebody else's experience, that would be really helpful.

thanks

[tiffela74]

Someone who is NOT pregnant needs to change the litter. I dont think theres any need to get rid of your kitty. Ive never actually heard of anyone getting ill from the cat feces, I think its pretty darn rare. And ive known plenty of women who had cats while preggers.
Use common sense, and get used to changing the litter for the next several months. Besides the toxic stuff, do you have any idea how difficult it would be to bend over and scoop through litter everyday while hugely pregnant? ugh.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

I think you'll be fine. Cats are independent creatures. If you're worried, have someone else change the litter and wash your hands more often.

[Hesster]

It's a good idea to have a pump of hand sanitizer around the litterbox anyway.

[amy_sk]

thanks for the responses . it surely calms me !!

[kansas sky]

Toxoplasmosis is a real concern. It can cause birth defects or even miscarriage. However, it is not infectious if the litter box is cleaned within 24 hours. To be on the safe side, I would have a non-pregnant person clean the litter box, or if that's not possible, wear gloves and a face mask. That's probably overkill, but better to be safe than sorry, right? Actually, a person is far more likely to contract Toxo from eating unwashed vegetables than from their housecat.

[JanuaryGirl]

Isn't it possible to just have the cat tested for Toxoplasmosis? Sure you'd have to pay for it, but that may alleviate 9 months of worrying and precaution.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by DNaomi

Isn't it possible to just have the cat tested for Toxoplasmosis? Sure you'd have to pay for it, but that may alleviate 9 months of worrying and precaution.

Serlogic tests will show whether a cat has been exposed...A healthy cat that shows positive signifies he, as some humans have acquired an immunity,and that cat would not be a source for human contamination...A cat that shows negative really doesn't mean too much.......because he doesn't have today, does not mean it won't have it tomorrow. Cats are likely to acquire the infection from consuming infected birds or rodents. Cats and people can also get the disease from eating raw or undercooked pork,beef mutton or veal that contains toxoplasma organisms. The feces of infected cats just presents yet another source of infection. Pregnant women should avoid contact with all cat feces. If you must, wear disposable gloves....cook all fresh meat, both yours and the cats thourghly, and wash your hands with soap after handling raw meat. Make sure to also clean all kitchen counters that have made contact with raw meats.

[regarese]

Aaaahhhh-the good ole days of being pregnant and "excused" from litterbox duty!!!! My husband bans me from the litter boxes (3 cats) as soon as I get a positive pregnancy test. I've heard that if you have strictly indoor cats, and you have had them for a while, and they are up to date on their shots and vet visits, you don't really need to be as concerned. But, it's one of those things, that if somebody else can change it, they may as well do it so the pregnant one can relax and not have the added stress of "OMG is my cat going to poison me".