someone told me its not safe to be around cats when your pregnant. something about the litter or feces. does anyone know if theres any truth to this?
2006-09-12 14:23:39 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
It is safe to be around cats, but there are some things you have to be wary of.
Toxoplasmosis is a single-cell protozoan that's life cycle can only be completed in cats. Most cats show no signs of having toxoplasmosis, but it infects most cats. (it usually comes from preying on rodents and birds, so if your cat is an indoor cat, it is safer) Cats have the ability to secrete a oocyst from toxoplasmosis, and this oocyst (or sexual organ) can become infectious to humans. Usually this does not happen, but if humans touch a cats feces there is a chance that the oocyst will get into their skin and cause things such as diarrahea, swollen lymph nodes, swollen eyes, muscle cramps, malaise, fever, among other symptoms. If a woman in the second or third trimester is inficted with Toxoplamosis, it is possible to have a miscarriage. But as long as there is no scooping of the litter box or contact with the cat's fecal matter, the woman will be fine.
Getting scatched by a cat will not harm the baby in most cases. However it is possible to catch Bartonellosis, more commonly known as Cat Scratch fever, from a bite or scratch wound from an outdoor cat. (again if you have an inddor cat your alot safer). It has not been proven to be harmful to a baby in any way.
Toxemia (blood poisoning during pregnancy) can be a fatal disease for mother and child and is contracted almost 10% by pregnant women (usually not fatalic). Though its causes are unknown, it is believed it can be contracted through fecal matter. However, this is ONLY if you touch the fecal matter.
So you can be around the cats, but DO NOT clean the litter box. If you avoid litterbox duty you'll be fine.
2006-09-12 14:46:20 · answer #1 · answered by sondra j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly safe to be around cats and kittens when you are pregnant but you should always wash your hands afterwards. However you should not be around cat feces. That means stay away from the litter box and when you are in the garden always wear gloves. If you accidently ingest cat feces, it is possible, you could get Toxoplasmosis. This is an infection that can cause eye infections, an enlarged liver or spleen, jaundice, or pneumonia in your baby. To avoid getting it do not eat raw or uncooked mean, wash hands with soap after handling raw meat, peel and wash all raw fruits and vegetables before eating, wear gloves while gardening, and keep cats indoors!
2006-09-12 14:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by Annie Oakley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats and kittens are safe to be around. The only thing that you should be aware of and avoid is the danger in changing and/or handling the litter box contents. Cat feces is a carrier of a bacteria that is harmful to both mom and the unborn child.
2006-09-12 14:28:11 · answer #3 · answered by flaminfortune 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HI, i am excited to answer this question, I am 5 months pregnant,thankfully, and have 3 cats. There is a virus called toxoplasmosis if cats eat raw meat and their litter boxes are filthy it can get into a mother's blood and harm the baby, even cause miscarriage. I've read before we got this far that if the mother has been around cats all her life, then she will be ok and the baby too. But if you are concerned, you can take the cat poop to a vet and they can test for toxoplas. or you can be tested too. Get the book, what to expect when expecting...it talks about this...that is if u are expecting...good luck! It would kill me to give my cats away, also if the baby was harmed, but I let someone else clean the litter box now. Its all good...
2006-09-12 14:27:45 · answer #4 · answered by ckalmaoui 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will probably find that the Tom wont hurt the female but it is not uncommon for Tom's to kill the litter especially if the litter is not his. Cat as you know are incredibly territorial and it is not uncommon for this to happen. Even if you are sure the litter is his i would absolutely keep the Tom away from the litter when it is born as you just don't know what he is capable of. Absolute supervision will be required as the Tom is NOT the mothering type and may feel threatened with the kittens around. Watch out for spraying as well from the male cat as anything that upsets his nest could cause him to spray. I would get him desexed ASAP and then one mum has had her kittens totally weaned of her i would have her spayed as well
2016-03-26 22:38:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i was pregnant my doctor told me to stay away from the cat's litter box. theres something in the litter that can harm the baby. being around cats is okay just steer clear of the litter and you shall be fine :)
2006-09-12 14:26:06 · answer #6 · answered by taceysay02@sbcglobal.net 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cat is not the problem, but the litter and feces is! My uncle is actually blind b/c of the chemical made when litter and feces combine...
2006-09-13 04:02:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true. Cat excrement contains toxoplasmosis which can be harnful to a developing fetus. You can keep your cat, you just can't handle the litter box detail. Have someone else do this for you. Even wearing gloves is not sufficient. Kittly litter tends to create dust which you might breath in....
2006-09-12 15:17:43 · answer #8 · answered by Willow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's safe to be around the cat but it's not safe to clean their litter box.
2006-09-12 14:25:59 · answer #9 · answered by kvsmiller 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cats are fine to be around but pregnant women shouldnt change the kitty litter because of gases that come from the feces are bad for pregnant woman..and if your in your early stages of pregnancy too much of the smell could cause you to misscarry...that is what my doctor told me because i asked him that question.
2006-09-12 15:50:32 · answer #10 · answered by lovedove662000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋