? about cat litter and pregnancy?

Question

I have heard from 2 different people that pregnant women cannot be around cat litter is this true? I am pregnant and have 3 cats so the litter needs cleaned out everyday. My fiance works full time and my daughter is to young to clean it. so I am the only one who can clean it, I can't let it go because the smell is nausiating if I do. I'm not getting rid of my cats what can I do?

Thanks to everyone for your help. I appreciate it. I have never heard of this until yesterday and I have been cleaning the litter box. I am in my first trimester of pregnancy. Is there a chance that there could be something wrong with my baby? I am so upset right now I'm worried that there is something wrong with my baby.

Answer 1

You have to be very very careful handling cat litter that is USED. Cats carry a bacteria in their feces called toxoplasmosis that in harmless for people to come incontact with but can make preg women catch. There are high risks of birth defects to the baby. If there is absolutely no one who can change litter for you just take simple precaustions like you would any other toxic substance...wear gloves, and wash your hands THOROUGHLY afterwards!!

Answer 2

Information about Toxoplasmosis

Single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.

How do people get toxoplasmosis?
A Toxoplasma infection occurs by:

**Accidentally swallowing cat feces from a Toxoplasma-infected cat that is shedding the organism in its feces. This might happen if you were to accidentally touch your hands to your mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, or touching anything that has come into contact with cat feces. Eating contaminated raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison; by touching your hands to your mouth after handling undercooked meat.
**Contaminating food with knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw meat.
**Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma.
**Receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion, though this is rare.

----

This is why we're not supposed to change the cat litter, if you absolutely HAVE to, head to the hospital and ask if you can have some masks. They will help you not breath in the bad stuff. Also, because cats can carry this stuff around the house, be sure to wash your hands frequently.

Answer 3

Cats carry an organism called toxoplasmosis, which can be a pernicious infection. It can be acquired by handling the cat litter.
It is NOT safe for you to be handling the cat litter while you are pregnant- you are at risk of getting this infection and transmitting it to baby. The baby will be at risk for vision and neurological problems. Here is some info from PubMed- I will attach the link to the pdf:
-Change litter boxes daily. Toxoplasma takes
more than one day to become infectious.
-If you are pregnant or have a weakened
immune system, ask someone else to change
the litter box. If this is not possible, wear
disposable gloves and wash your hands
thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
• Cover any outdoor sandboxes when not in use.
Toxoplasmosis can cause severe illness in infants infected
before birth (when their mothers are newly
infected during pregnancy), or in persons with a
weakened immune system.

Your fiance should be handling the litter at this time. Just because he works does not mean you should be doing every household chore. He should be ignoring the fact that he is a member of the household- you are carrying his child and you need his help to keep you and the baby safe. Even if the cats are not his pets- you are his partner, and he should be caring enough to help you in this regard. Remind him that you can take over this job once the baby is safely here.
Good luck!

Answer 4

it is true that you are not supposed to change the litter for risk of getting toxoplasmosis which can make a baby very sick. However i have read that if you must continue to change the litter than it is best to wear gloves and then wash your hands immiediatly. Also since you have 3 cats chances are you probably have already been exposed to toxoplasmosis and not even known it and form what ive read that means you arent at risk at getting it again from the same cats. Best of luck!

Answer 5

Don't get rid of your kittys!! It is HIGHLY recommended you do not change the cat litter on your own. Cat poop may contain toxoplasmosis. This is bacteria that could be VERY harmful for your baby! Let your fiance know about this. He can't set aside 5 min of his day to make sure y'alls baby is a lovely happy healthy baby? Come on. My bf let out some grunts and moans when I told him he had to take over the duties, but hey. It's all for the well being of your precious baby. And if you absolutely must do it, the previous post hit the nail on the head. Wear very thick reliable gloves and immediately wash your hands with antibacterial soap. Don't risk it! Good luck:)

Answer 6

You dont have to get rid of you cats.
My vet (who had 2 kids with 3 cats told me) to wear gloves, and a mask if not you could get toxoplasmosis. Which is a parasite. You should not let your cats outside to even get parasites if you can help it. Plus you might already be amune to it if you have had your cats for a while. You can get tested and get them tested for toxoplasmosis.
Yeah I know what you mean about the smell and letting it sit all day until your husband gets home but that might be something you want to do a few days out of the week.
here is a website you can read up on
Good luck and take care

Answer 7

first are your cats indoor or outdoor cats? The biggest risk for toxoplasmosis is from outdoor cats. My OB told me last week, as i have 4 cats, that in his 30 years of practice he has never ever seen a case of toxoplasmosis, and that it would be time better spent to talk about seat belt safety. He did say that if i take my older kids to the park to not sit in or play in an outdoor sandbox, as outdoor cats use them as litterboxes, and outdoor cats are the ones that carry toxoplasmosis. Also that since you have had cats you have probably already had the toxoplasmosis and have built an immunity to it, but that if I felt uncomfortable cleaning the cat box, to pick up a few face masks from the front desk at his office and wear them while changing the boxes, and washing hands well afterwards.

Answer 8

you should not clean the cat litter your partner needs to do it before or after work, if you must go out and buy a face mask where gloves and wash your hands cat litter can have a bacteria in it that can cause your fetus to go blind,as well as other things. you can also get blood work done for your cats to see if they carry the bacteria if they dont your inthe clear it usually gets carried by outdoor cats but indoor cats may have it as well

Answer 9

You are not supposed to clean cat litter when pregnant. Have your fiance do it after work. If that is absolutely not an option, change it very carefully - where gloves and a mask and scrub your hands thoroughly.

Answer 10

If you have had your cats for a long time as I have, (over 5 years) then chances are your body has already become immune to toxoplasmosis. Simply ask your doc to run a test for it. I was devestated at the thought of parting with my kitty, but my doctor insured that I wouldn't have to. GOOD LUCK!!