Pregnancy and cat litter?

Question

I have a cat and live alone so I have no one to change my litter box for me. I am 22 weeks pregnant now and normally when I change it I simply hold my breath so I don't breathe it in directly. I hear people all the time saying "don't change it yourself" and how it's bad for the baby, but what exactly does it cause? Remember, I live alone so not changing it is not an option.

Just to add some details. This is my second pregnancy and in my first I changed cat litter for numerous cats on nearly a nightly basis for the first 5 1/2 months, then after that I stopped because I was warned about it. I have been around lots and lots of cats my entire life.

Answer 1

Hi - the disease you are talking about is called Toxoplasmosis, and if you become infected with it while pregnant, it could cause some nasty birth defects in your growing fetus. Is your cat an inside-only pet? If so, the chances that she/he has Toxoplasmosis are low since the way cats contract the parasite is by eating other animals that have the parasite.

Also, since you have a cat you have probably been infected with Toxoplasmosis at some point, which means you are immune now and have no worries.

The other thing to know is that you are more likely to contract the parasite from eating raw or undercooked meat than from cleaning your cat's litter.

So, take some simple precautions - use a low dust cat litter, wash your hands thoroughly after changing the litter and/or wear rubber gloves during the process, and only eat well cooked meat - and you should be fine.

Below are some good sources of information. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and good luck!

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

From what I understand, if it's an indoor cat you have nothing to worry about. It's when they eat live animals that they can pass on something to your baby.

" The caution pregnant women hear regarding contact with cat litter reflects concern over a disease called toxoplasmosis. More than 60 million people in the United States have been infected with the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, but very few become ill. However, if you contract the infection for the first time while you are pregnant, it can reach your baby, possibly causing miscarriage, brain damage, or other serious illness.

One common source of the infection is cat feces, either in litter boxes or in soil contaminated by infected cats who wander outdoors. The parasite is also present in some raw or partially cooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison. (Rare beef is not typically a source of this infection.) Cats pick up the infection from eating raw meat, typically from animals they catch outdoors. You can become infected when you ingest the parasite -- by eating undercooked meat or by putting your hands to your mouth after gardening or handling cat litter. "

Answer 4

I believe it doesn't matter if you hold your breath because it is the cat fesces that can cause a toxicity to your baby. So use rubber gloves and wash your hands thouroughly when finished. Don't keep the litter box around your tooth brush either cause your t. brush can contract germs as well. Good luck with the baby!

Answer 5

Touching cat litter may transmit a viral infection (toxoplasmosis) that is completely harmless to you, but may cause defects in unborn babies, including physical handicaps and mental retardation. If you've lived around cats for several years, chances are you are already immune to the virus, and could possibly give your baby antibodies through the umbilical cord. But, to eliminate all risks, you should ask a friend to change your litter box for you until you give birth :-) Good luck to you!

Answer 6

some cats carry toxoplasmosis, which is passed through the stools. it can cause birth defects if you contract it while pregnant. you can wear a mask and gloves...still wash your hands well after cleaning the litter box. you can take your cat in for testing to be sure it's not infected. it's a parasite, and you can get it from things other than cat feces also...here's a link you can get more indepth info from.
http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm#spread
hope this was helpful.

Answer 7

i have an indoor cat to i do have a partner who changes it most of the time but i have to do it every now and then just make sure u always wear gloves and wash your hands right away plus i have heard that 70% of people who have had there cat for a while has or have had the infection.

Answer 8

I have 2 cats that used to use litter boxes but now they just go outside whenever they need to take care of their business. I set up cat doors so that i don't have to open the door for them.

Answer 9

it can cause txoplasmosis- a desease that can cause misscarriages, still births, mental illness, growth problems, early delivery, ect...
its more harmful to the baby then it is you. thats why they tell you that. try letting your cat go outside. get a leash if your worried he will run away.