Pregnant and kitty litter...?

Question

When should I stop changing/cleaning the kitty litter box??

Answer 1

While pregnant, you should get someone (maybe a husband or boyfriend) to scoop and change the kitty litter. I have 4 cats and litter scooping is now my hubby's job! The scare is that a pregnant woman can contract toxoplasmosis, which can cause neurological defects in an unborn child. If you've lived with cats all your life, more then likely you have already contracted it and built up antibodies against it (which will make you immune)
I have always lived with cats and my mother used to clean the kitty litter while she was pregnant with my brother and I, and we turned out fine. But my suggestion would be, if you can avoid cleaning it if possible, do so, get someone else to do it for you. If you have no one else to do it, wear gloves and make sure you wash your hands very well afterwards.

Answer 2

I have 4 cats. When I was pregnant, my mom always cleaned the litter box. Its not safe for your baby to clean it. Its called toxoplasmosis. Its something in the cats poop. However, if u have had cats for a long time, most likely u have already been exposed to it and should have no problems. But just be on the safe side and take it out of your room, and have someone else clean it. You could also talk to your doctor and he/she could test you to see if you have it or not. Hope this helps and good luck with your pregnancy! I have a 2 month old, and its the best!

Answer 3

There is a bacteria that is common in the fecal matter of cats that can be harmful to your baby should it get inside of your body. Basically, unless you develop the unnatural desire to eat kitty litter, the likelihood of this bacteria getting into your system is next to none. When I was living alone and pregnant, I was the only one available to clean the litter box. I bought a box of surgical gloves from the drug store, and made sure to wear a long sleeved shirt when changing the litter.

My little one was born healthy with no problems.

Answer 4

It's toxoplasmosis in the feces that can cause a problem to the baby. You should have a husband/bf/friend change it for you. It that isn't an option becuase you live alone, then only change the litter with disposable gloves on (can be purchased at any medical supply store or sometimes at craft stores) and really wash your hand w/ soap & hot water afterwards. Toxoplasmosis can also be found in soil so make sure to avoid gardening during pregnancy and REALLY wash fresh vegetables before you eat them. Also, don't eat raw/under-cooked meat.

Congrats on your pregnancy. If you have a boy, please don't circumcise him. It's not medically necessary & it's very painful for the baby.

Answer 5

It's not the litter it's the poop that has a lot of different things that can damage the baby. My niece was born with CMV because her mother got it in the begining of her pregnance from changing the cat litter box. My niece is severly brain damaged, she is 3, she will never walk or talk, she has a lot of problems with her lungs and is on a feeding tube for the rest of her life. Have someone else do it or ask someone to keep the cat until the baby comes.

Answer 6

As soon as you know that you are pregnant. Toxoplasmosis has different effects on a fetus at different stages of pregnancy so just have someone else do it. It's not the litter itself that is harmful...it's that cats can carry toxoplasmosis in thier feces which is damaging to a fetus.

Answer 7

I cleaned the kitty litter box throughout my whole pregnancy. My husband wouldn't do it so I had to. As long as you don't touch the kitty poop, there is no danger. Make sure you wash your hands well after you clean it. No reason not to clean it. I have two beautiful babies. They are healthy and very energetic.

Answer 8

I would stop right away. Never mind the dust from the kitty litter... the ammonia in the urine is harmful to be around. Not only can it lead to asthma... it's very irritating to your lungs.

Answer 9

ok you can clean it still if you use gloves - but to be sure its better to have somebody else clean it
the risk is from TOXOPLASMOSIS, a parasite that cats can shed - IF they have caught it from a mouse who was infected at the time.. so all in all its VERY RARE that a cat would have it unless its a new cat who goes outside.. most cats would have been exposed already and therefore - so would you - and the cat wouldnt shed the parasite again...you can also get it from other sources, like raw meat...
but for caution sake have somebody else clean the box,
kids raised in homes with pets develope fewer allergies

best advice - stop at one kid - the world is over populated with humans and its getting worse....

Answer 10

I've asked my doctor this question and his answer was it is NOT the cat litter that makes you sick it is touching the feces so when you change your litter box make sure you don't touch it wear gloves.