Is it true that Cat's can cause miscarriages in Women?

Question

My parents keep telling me to keep my face away from my cat.. apparently cat's aren't good for women and causes miscarriages...or stop women from reproducing...

Answer 1

There are some viruses from cat feces that women can asorb (such as digging in a flower garden tha cats poop in, or litter box) which will harm pregnant women and their babies, so it is true.

Answer 2

Not true!

It is changing the cat litter that can cause miscarriages only.

Nothing with cats keeps women from reproducing.

Answer 3

Cats are one of the hosts that can carry a parasite called toxoplasma gondii and it can be passed to humans through infectious cysts shed in their stool. If a woman in her first trimester handles cat feces and the cat has the parasite, the parasite can affect the fetus but the woman does not miscarry. Some studies (though unproven) suggest a link between congenital toxoplasmosis and a variety of conditions such as schizophrenia later in life.

Indoor cats have virtually no risk of infection and according to Drew Weigner, DVM, a board-certified feline specialist, “A lot of things have to happen [to transfer the parasite]. A cat has to get a recent infection, it has to be shedding the cysts, the stool has to have been in the litter box for more than 24 hours, you'd have to get some of the stool in your mouth or eye, and you'd have to be in your first trimester--all of those things would have to happen."

Obstetricians sometimes tell women to have someone else empty the litter box during their first trimester, or wear rubber gloves whole doing so.

The parasite is not passed along simply by petting a cat or having your face close to a cat.

Answer 4

There is a virus that can cause problems w/ pregnancy. It is found in the litter/feces which is why pregnant women shouldn't change the litterbox. If you've had the cat for a while and it was an outside cat at one point in time, then you were probably exposed for a while and immune, but it is best to be safe and not take chances when it comes to a pregnancy.

Answer 5

I've heard something like this, but I don't believe it. We had an indoor cat throughout my pregnancy. I think this comes from the idea that cats can kill babies. The older people used to say that cats will steal a baby's breath. I think they actually just smothered the baby in the crib. I know that I did have a real problem keeping the cat away from my newborn's bassinet when he was sleeping. Eventually had to get rid of the cat.
Also may come from the fact that pregnant women should never clean out the litter box. A bacteria in cat poopie can infect a pregnant woman and cause her to miscarry.

Answer 6

Yes, because there is bacteria in their fecies. And there are also toxins in their litter box product that can be harmful. What ever you do, don't change the litter box, don't eat raw fish, do not work in gargens, and be very self concious about your diet and sanitary habits. I hope you have a healthy baby.
Good Luck :)

PS...your cat has been everywhere, and has sniffed or licked fecies. He/she may also have ticks or lice or fleas. just try to avoid your cat.

Answer 7

I have not heard that cats themselves do that, however while pregnant do not change the kitty litter. Do not go close to it, I have had doctors tell me that it is dangerous to the unborn fetes

Answer 8

That is an old wives tale.
However- cats carry some illiness that could be bad for newborns.
But it should cause no problem for conception.

Answer 9

That is total nonsense! Why would you even believe something so ridiculous???
And they can't "suck the breath" out of a baby, either.

Have you ever heard of the expression "old wives tale"? That means a myth. What your parents told you is a myth. Not true at all!!

Answer 10

Cat litter/feces has been known to be harmful to pregnant women, but not cats themselves.