Is it harmful for a pregnant woman to clean a cat litter box because of the fumes/toxins?

Answer 1

Pregnant women need to be aware that toxoplasmosis (TOX-so-plaz-MO-sis) can cause problems with pregnancy, including abortion. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is carried by cats and is passed in their feces (stool). However, people are more likely to get toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat or gardening than from contact with pet cats. By following simple safety tips, pregnant women can reduce the risk of getting toxoplasmosis from cats.

If you own a cat, have a non-pregnant person change the litter box every day. If there is no one else to change the litter box, wear gloves and wash hands with soap and running water after changing the litter.

Answer 2

That is a good question. Yes it is make your husband do it. I did.Many pregnant women have cats in their household. Why should pregnant women avoid coming in contact with cat litter?

Toxoplasmosis is a common infection found in up to 40% of all cat owners. It´s a minor infection that normally does not cause any side effects at all. However, it can be extremely harmful to a developing fetus. For this reason, pregnant women should turn over cat litter duties to someone else during their pregnancy.

It is only the cat stool that carries this threat, so keep the litter box somewhere away from the regular family areas, and have someone other than the mother care for the box during the pregnancy period. Once the baby is born, the baby and the cats can grow up together.

Pregnancy Page

Answer 3

Toxoplasmosis is the disease that's associated with a parasite you can get from cat feces. But, not all cats have this parasite in their system. The cats that are most at risk for getting this parasite are cats that are allowed outside, eat birds or rodents, or eat raw/undercooked meat. If your cat is an indoor cat that eats only dry or canned food, then the risk to you is minimal, because they probably haven't been exposed to the parasite.

But to be on the safe side, if there is someone else who can clean your cat's box while you're pregnant, it would be a good idea. Your cat's box should also be cleaned on a daily basis to further decrease the risk. If you have to do it, make certain you wear disposable rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly and dispose of the gloves after doing so.

Now here's the kicker. The parasites associated with Toxoplasmosis can also be found in raw meat and outside in the soil. So...if you are preparing or handling raw meat, you might consider wearing gloves. You also don't want to be consuming any raw or undercooked meat either while you're pregnant. Cooking kills the parasite.

You also want to wear rubber gloves if you're going to be doing any gardening so you don't accidently come in contact with any hidden cat feces in the soil (cats love to bury their business in soft soil).

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

The reason it can be harmful to the baby is because some outdoor cats and maybe even indoor ones can carry a parasite called Toxoplamosis. It is well known that pregnant women should not clean litter boxes.

Answer 5

I think as long as you are wearing glove and a mask and do it outside you should be ok. It isn't safe otherwise, there are misformed babies that prove that. Is there someone else living with you that can do it? However, I thought, in the back of my head, that the most dangerous time was in the first trimester. You might check that out, but certainly need to continue all your safety precautions. By the way, what did your doctor say when you asked? Is the doctor aware that you have been changing cat litter all this time? How far were you into your pregnancy before you started wearing your gloves? Also, them having their shots has nothing to do with the dangers presented. You cannot be too careful, sweetie! Take care of you and your precious one!

Answer 6

Toxoplasmosis is a rare but serious blood infection that can cause birth defects including blindness, deafness, and mental retardation. The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is rare, but it can be found in the solid waste of cats. If you have a cat, get someone else to clean the litter box, and avoid gardening in places where the cat may have deposited feces. If avoiding these tasks is impossible, wear rubber gloves!

Answer 7

Cats are the host species for Toxoplasma gondii, a type of protozoa. The protozoa and its eggs are in the cat's feces, so when you clean a litter box, you are potentially exposed to it. It doesn't cause any harm to a normal adult, but it can cause birth defects and mental retardation to the fetus, which is why they tell pregnant women not to clean litter boxes.

Answer 8

Yes!
Pregnant women should not change the cat litter box. Cat Litter may contain organisms that can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease that can harm the fetus.

Answer 9

It is not the fumes but a parasite in Cat feces, while it is safe to have cats you should not do the litter box.

Answer 10

Yes, you shouldn't clean the litter box while pregnant. To much bacteria.