Are cats a bad pet to keep around a pregnant women?

Question

Is there any health factors that I should worry about. Im 3 months pregnant and I just received this adorable tiny orange furred kitten that couldnt harm a fly, but I have heard some rumors that cats carry a virus or a certain type of germ that could be very dangerous for my unborn child. if any one has any answers to this kinda weird question please reply

Answer 1

You should not clean out the litter box!!!

Answer 2

Wow, the people that are screaming to ditch your cat really make me angry, lol. I was concearned about this aswell, as we "inherited" a friend's cat shortly before I became pregnant, so I have done a lot of research on the matter. Cats have the possibility to transfer a parasite that causes toxopolasmosis. (Toxopolasmosis is what could harm baby) It is transfered through cat feces, as the parasite lays it's eggs in the cat's intestines. The only way of contracting the parasite is by ingesting it. It is a very good idea to have someone else clean the cat box for you, and if they can't, make sure you wear gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Not all cats have the parasite either. The parasite is generally found outdoors, and the reason that cats are a danger is that they are the only "living" host. If any other animal contracts the parasite, it lays dormant in their bodies indefintely, in the muscle tissue and whatnot and doesn't pose a problem. Cats usually get the parasite by eating small animals that have previously been infected with the parasite, so if your cat is indoor only, the chances of the cat having the parasite are extremely small. The parasite is found naturally in soil, so if you like to garden a lot, you also need to be cautious and use gloves when gardening. Your cat can also get the parasite by eating raw or undercooked meats, as they can be contaminated aswell. Lots of creatures, including a large percentage of humans have the dormant parasite in their bodies. Most people don't know if they have become infected, as most don't get any symptoms, or get cold like symptoms for a few days, and afterwards build up an immunity to toxopolasmosis. Another reassuring thing is, the parasite does not become contagious until about 24 hours after the cat has done his/her business, so as long as the feces is removed in a timely manner there shouldn't be much of a problem. And I also read that after 2-3 weeks after the cat has become infected, the parasite is no longer viable as long as the cat hasn't become re-infected by any source. So pretty much, try and keep kitty inside, be cautious around the litter box (especially if you end up with cleaning duty), don't feed kitty any raw meat and your cat shouldn't pose any harm. I hope you found this helpful, and congrats! :)

Answer 3

I have had two cats during two different pregnancies. Like most others have said, don't change the cat litter, but otherwise the cat is harmless during pregnancy.

I'm particularly writing about this "cat sucking out the breath" crap. That nonsense has been debunked for years. Cats do not suck out anyone's breath. This myth was an early explanation for SIDS. Parents wake up and the baby's dead...Let's blame the cat that was sleeping in the room, crib, etc.

Also, I personally question the probability of a cat suffocating a child by laying across its face. Cats don't like loud noises, and a crying baby is plenty incentive for them to generally avoid the baby. My cats ran for the hills after the first time the baby cried and avoided him without any coaching from me. Later, they would only get close if I was there. However, despite my doubt, this scenario is at least plausible. Just in case, I put a baby gate in the doorway and the cats could not get in.

Bringing home a blanket with the baby's smell is a good idea for the cat to get used to the idea. Also, if you have any friends or family with a baby, get a tape of the baby crying so the cat can get used to the noise. I tried to keep one room in the house that was "baby free" (in my case, the guest bedroom) so the cat had a "safe" place to retreat to. Especially at first don't leave the baby alone with the cat until your sure how they are going to react. The biggest danger is from the cat scratching the baby, and the best way to avoid that is not to let the cat get in a situation where it feels trapped by the baby. Most cats will retreat to safety. After a while, I knew my cats had no interest in going near the baby so I didn't have to worry.

Despite everything, I was surprised at how tolerant my cats where of the baby. They seemed to understand that he was "my kitten". One of my cats always accompanied me for the midnight feedings. If the baby woke up crying, the cats would come to get me to take care of it. Later, as the baby learned to crawl and walk, the cats were amazingly tolerant of being fallen on.

Just remember the kitten is a living creature too. If you decide to get rid of it, try to find it a good home or, if all else fails, take it the pound. Don't do like so many people do and just toss the cat out to fend for herself. Too many wind up run over or starved.

Answer 4

Yes i would be very wary - and if possible get rid of it! You should NEVER EVER clean its litter tray as cats carry toxoplasmosis that can cause all kinds of horrible things when your pregnant! And is often found in cat poo which is then passed onto your and your baby. This is why pregnant women should avoid gardening or wear gloves when doing so to protect themsleves against stray cats poo.

If you really cant or wont get rid of it though make sure someone else always cleans the litter tray and dont get into contact with it!! Ask your self if its worth the risk.

Also cats are sometimes dangerous around babies as they have been known to go to sleep on top of babies in there cribs and smother them as they like the heat they produce. Not to mention having to worry about laying your baby on the floor and your cat going to swipe its face!

Obviously if this was an old family pet you would know its temperament properly but lets face it all kittens are cute at that age! I would think hard!

Answer 5

W e have a cat and we got him as a child subsitute, however i now have a healthy 19mth old and a cat. the problem is the litter . if u have to change it use gloves and be meticulous about washing ur hands. you only toxoplasmosis if it is an outside cat inside cats have very little chance of carrying the disease. however ask your midwife and if u can ask another member of the family to change the litter. i am preg (35wks) again and have no prob with emptying the tray so long as i have disposable latex gloves and wash my hands after. as for getting rid of the cat there is no raeson to get rid o f the cat when we took our son home from hospital we introduced the cat to the baby and that was the end of it he never went near him and to this day runs in the opposite direction fro our son. the best thing to do is buy a litter called beauty cat , it is wood based and can be flushed down the toilet so eliminating the need to put it in a bin bag. hope this has helped and your baby and ***** can live in harmony you can get a leaflet about cats and babies from your health visitor

Answer 6

You dont have to lose the cat... I have had cats during my first pregnancy and have some even now during my second. just make sure they are clean and healthy at all times. Do not clean out the littler box or garden while pregnant. Cat fecies in the littler box and often in your garden can carry diseases that can cause toxoplasima, a nasty thing you dont want to deal with during pregnancy, it can harm you and your child. So keeping the kitten clean and healthy and making sure someone else cleans the little box is a green light to keep your ball of fluff. WARNING!!! Little balls of fluff are cute now, and cats are nice but when your baby comes it will be dificult to manage a baby and a cat, cats love to sleep with babies, and often suffocate the child. Please be careful when you have a cat and teach it to stay away from the crib, even before the baby is born.... also dont let your cat smell the baby itself, let daddy or a friend bring a blanket home early with the babies scent so that the cat can become familiar with it. If you were to just introduce your baby first time face to face with cat, the cat may suddenly startle and scratch the baby. Good luck.

Answer 7

Just don'tclean out the litter box. Ammonia or something like that.

Other than that there is no reason not to be around cats when you are pregnant. We have 2 cats and my wife has been pregnant twice whilst they have been around with no problems and all she ever said was that she couldnt clean the litter. So because I was too lazy to clean it out myself I basically got rid of it and they go do their business in the next door neighbours garden now. This has the added bonus' of meaning that my utility room doesn't smell of cat's piss, I don't have to clean out a grim litter box and the neighbour is well hacked off which is good as I hate the miserable old ****.

Answer 8

No they are perfectly safe. Most of what you read about cats and babies is old wives tales.

The only precaution you need to take is to wear gloves when you have to clear out the littler tray as cat faeces carries a risk of Toxoplasmosis which could harm your baby.
Or get someone else to do litter tray duty!

I'm 35 weeks pregnant - we have two dogs and a cat and I have treated them no differently to normal throughout my pregnancy. My cat loves to sleep on my bump and purr and little one loves the vibrations. My mum has a little of kittens at the house and I regularly play with them. Me and baby are fine.

Don't let cat-haters scare you into giving up your pet!

Answer 9

I cannot believe some of the so called advice you have been given ! I have always had cats and they have been no problem while I was pregnant or after baby was born. wear gloves, wash hands and follow good hygene when handling litter trays. Take your cat to the vets for a health check before baby is due. make sure it is wormed with a wormer recomended by the vet and relax.

Answer 10

The danger to pregnant women with cats all rests in the litter box (This came directly from my OBGYN!) Just don't clean out the litter box. If you decide to keep your cat, do make sure that it cannot get to the baby while the baby is asleep. Cats do not intentionally kill babies, but it is possible for the cat to take the baby's breath, and suffocate him/her. I had a cat the whole time I was pregnant, and still do, no harm to me or my baby. Consult with your OBGYN, but in the end, if you're careful, and keep an eye on them, you should be able to keep both babies!

Answer 11

No worry. Unless one is allergic to cats, there is nothing scientifically to worry about any more than with a dog, a pot-bellied pig or a hamster. Kittens do need to be trained not to do mock attacks on legs and not to use claws; other than that they sleep a lot, play wonderfully and are adorable. Our cat Sir William Whytefoote, for instance, used to carry socks around, but he enjoyed attention and loved being played with and spending time with his humans. I hope your orange kitty will be half as much fun and company as he has been for fifteen years.