Bad to keep cats near pregnant women?

Question

Hello, my wife is pregnant and I'm wondering about all this stuff I've heard about 'its bad to keep cats near you whilst pregnant, cos they got germs etc.'

Is this true, cos I have a 6 month (approx) cat who loves going out in my back garden and loitering around the house and I'm worried. Cat-lovers have told me there's no problems involved, but cat-haters have told me to get rid of the cat.

Recently, I've kept the cat in my heated garage but do not feel happy with him being stuck there in the cold with fireworks and other loud noises such as thunder scaring him.

But of course my unborn child is the most important in all of this and I refuse to take any risks at all!

So please advise, all answers will be appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm pregnant and I have two cats. The only thing that could possibly cause her harm is if she changes the litter box, other than that there's no reason you shouldn't keep your cat! I admire you for keeping him in the heated garage, shows you love both your cat and your baby, but let him come in, just keep your wife away from the litter box, that will be your duty for the next nine months!

Answer 2

OK, forget the rumours and everything you've heard...this is the truth, coming from a mother of two children, and an owner of three cats (only one of which was present during my pregnancies). A pregnant woman CANNOT go anywhere near cat's poo. It can contain a substance which can cause toxiplasmosis which is lethal to an unborn baby. So if your cat poo's in the house, YOU must clear it up. And your wife MUST NOT do any gardening or go anywhere near dirt that might contain cat's poo.

The only other risks (which are not lethal in anyway) is worms, which isn't pleasant but not overly harmful...but as long as your cat is wormed regularly (every 3 months), then you have nothing to worry about. Your cat should also be up to date with his vaccines, and then he's a totally happy and healthy cat who can't catch anything or pass anything on.

I honestly think you need to let the cat back in, because if he starts to feel pushed out, then he might not take to the baby very well...after all, he's been the baby up until now, and now he's finding that he's not getting the affection he once was.

Please do not give up your cat...there are enough unwanted animals without people who choose to get cats without even thinking of whether they're going to have children and then not want the cat anymore.

Answer 3

It is perfectly fine to have a cat around a pregnant woman. She is just not allowed to clean out the cat little box or garden where a cat may got to the bathroom. Only the feces is dangerous to her. It can transmit toxoplasmosis. Do a search on that and you will find all the information. I have grown up with cats and had cats throughout my first 2 pregnancy's. Good luck. And bring that poor kitty inside.

Also If you clean the box frequently at least once a day or better yet, twice, there will be very very slim risk. The toxoplasmosis only shows up after 1 or more days after the poo has sat in the litter box.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

Answer 4

It is only harmful to have a cat near a pregnant woman if it is an outdoor animal who also resides inside. Outside cats eat mice, mice contain parasites. When your cat goes to the bathroom in the litter box the parasite eggs go there too. When you clean out he litter box the eggs are in the dust and you inhale them. Both mother and unborn baby are suseptible to parasites. There are very few things that are safe for an unpregnant woman that a pregnant woman cannot do.

PS-I am a cat lover, and would never say get rid of it to do so, but don't let your wife do litterbox duty OR make it either a completely indoor or completely outdoor cat!

Answer 5

Cats are perfectly safe around pregnant women. I have four cats and I had two kids in the last three years. Cats carry a disease called Toxoplasmosis which can be harmful to people with depleted immune systems such as pregnant women, people with HIV or people getting radiotherapy or chemo. The bacteria live in the feaces so all you have to do is make sure someone other than your wife cleans out the litter tray or any little "presents" that cats so love to leave for you!

Answer 6

Actually cats are extremely clean animals. Please don't keep your cat in the garage it is cruel and unnecessary. As well that would be a great way to get the cat to resent the baby. One thing for sure though, do not let your wife change the litter. That is the only risk involved for a pregnant lady where cats are concerned. So you will need to do the deed. This was the only time my husband has ever changed the kitty litter. I loved it!

Answer 7

I have ran into the same problem. Different advice from the cat lover and cat hater, so I had to do my own research.
Seems there is a parasite that is found in the cat's feces that is extremely dangerous to the baby. Most articles will say that the mom should just stay away from the litter box, like not changing it. However, my thoughts are that the cat after it uses it's litter box uses his paw to cover his going ons. So what ever parasite was in the litter is also on his paw.
Sounds simple to me. But you will have to make the decision on rather you want to gamble with it.
We have a cat and I just stayed away from him and kept him out of my bedroom. My children took care of him.

Answer 8

Your wife should be fine with the cat. If it is an inside cat then you need to clean the litter box because cats carry some kind of parasit that could harm the unborn child. I have a cat and I've had it through two pregnancies and I've never had a problem. He stays outside and just wonders around the neighborhood. Good Luck and the cat can stay if you clean the litter box of there is one.

Answer 9

Please let your poor cat inside, I'm sure its very traumatizing and cold for him to live in the garage!! It is not bad for a pregnant women to be near a cat or pet a cat for that matter. The concern is with the litter box. She should not be cleaning it as cat stool (especially if its an outdoor cat, can contain a bacteria which can cause a condtion called toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, which is serious and could result in neurological defects in an unborn child.) But it will not hurt her or the baby to be near the cat itself. If she has lived with cats all her life and cleaned litterboxes, she probably has already been exposed to the bacteria prior to pregnancy, which would make her immune, but you should take precaution anyway and you need to take on the litterbox duty while she is pregnant. I myself have 4 cats which i love to death and my husband changes the litter now. My cats sleep with me and cuddle with me and my doc and ultrasounds say my baby is doing just fine. My mother had cats and used to scoop cat litter even while she was pregnant, and both my brother and I turned out just fine. I would recommend in the future keeping your cats indoors. That way, they tend to be more friendlier, it increases their lifespan considerably and then they won't be susceptible to all the parasites, fleas and germs outside.

Answer 10

The problem is not the cat but kitty litter ie cat poop. :)

She could contract toxoplasmosis from the cat's stool IF it is infected. Being outdoors increases the cat's chances of getting toxoplasmosis. I have just heard that pregnant women should avoid changing litter and digging in the dirt (without gloves) in case a cat has done the deed there...

Here is a Q&A article very similar to your question....
http://www.vetinfo.com/ctoxo.html