Pregnancy and kittens?

Question

is it a real issue to have a kitten when you are pregnant. what are the odds tha tyou will get infected?

Answer 1

the kitten is fine, just never touch the litter box, and dont pet the kitty while eating.. always wash your hands.

You'll be fine.

Answer 2

Avoid touching or being near the litter box, toxoplasmosis is hard to catch (a cut on your hand coming into contact w/ feces for example) but the amonia in cat urine can be harmful-this is why your not supposed to use such chemicals for cleaning during pregnancy. Also if the claws scratch you be sure to wash them thoroughly-possible bacteria. The kitty will not cause any other problems than these. Also cats do not suffocate the baby (it's happened only a few times over all and it was from the cat laying on the baby not covering it's mouth) just be sure when the little one sleeps kitty is not in the room. Odds are the cat wont like the screaming and will avoid the baby anyway

Answer 3

When I became pregnant I took my 2 cats to the vet for a check up and asked the vet about toxoplasmosis. He said to have someone else change the litter box and if I had to change the litter box to wear gloves and wash my hands immediately after. He also told me that every time I pet my cats I need to wash my hands afterwards to reduce the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

Answer 4

There's an issue with toxoplasmosis (cats carry the virus) when you're pregnant. I probably would wait until after the baby is born to get a cat if you don't have one already.

Plus, who needs the stress of a new pet while you're pregnant anyway?

Answer 5

I know what you're saying, even if some of the others don't. Relax. You most likely won't catch the disease, which is called toxoplasmosis, is memory serves me correctly. You have to be really careful not to change the litter box, and wash your hands after handling kitty OR raw meats of any kind. Just be careful, and if you're concerned, talk to your doctor.

Answer 6

Just don't clean the litter box, and when someone else cleans it make them disinfect anything they touch while cleaning like the front door if they take it outside to the garbage or whatever. My doctor also said not to be in the same room where you can breathe it in while someone is cleaning the litter box.

Answer 7

well.. it's just super important that whenever you pet the cat, you wash your hands-- and try never EVER to handle the kitty-litter, because cats do carry a certain bacteria/virus thing that is harmful to a human baby, especially if you've not been exposed to that bacteria before (and thereby immune)..
it's always better to be safe than sorry.

my bf has a cat, and i was washing my hands each and every time after petting him, and i never let the cat's mouth touch my face, and stuff like that.. it's just important

Answer 8

I'm not sure what the odds are but I wouldn't take a risk. My baby is more important than a kitty. And infection from a cat can really end up nasty - dangerous for you AND the baby.

Answer 9

You can't get infected by kittens when you're pregnant. What sort of weird stuff have you been hearing/reading? Cats love you when you're pregnant because you put off a lot more body heat. Also, your maternal instincts will kick in and it will be nicer to have something already to take care of.

Answer 10

As long as someone else cleans the litter box, you're fine. If you don't have someone to clean the litter box, make sure you wear rubber gloves every time you clean it. If you own a cat, you'll have to be tested for toxoplastemia anyway.