I've heard cats pose a health risk to pregnant women, Can anyone elaborate on this??

Answer 1

Yep - there is a risk with cats, or more specifically cat litter for pregnant women.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection with the protozoan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the primary vector of this infection. If you're pregnant, there's no need to get rid of your cat, but avoid changing the litter tray if you can get someone else to do it. If you absolutely have to handle cat faeces yourself, use rubber gloves, and ideally mouth and nose protection.

Check this out for more information, including details of the infection in adults and passing to the unborn infant:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000637.htm

Answer 2

Cats poo is dangerous - can cause toxoplasmosis, which in severe cases can cause your baby to be blind or have other problems. If you have an indoor cat that obviously uses a litter tray, always keep it clean. And every few days, empty entire litter out and disinfect tray with cat friendly stuff. Always use disposable clothes and try not to breathe in the dust (I used to use a dust mask), then wash hands thoroughly after disposing of stuff. Or better still, get partner to do it!!!!! Even when gardening, use rubber clothes. Hope this settles your worries

Answer 3

Cat feces can carry toxoplasmosis, a parasite which can cause birth defects and miscarriage. Therefore, a pregnant woman should not change the litter in the litter box.

HOWEVER, not all cats have toxoplasmosis. If you have a 100% inddor cat, it may very well NOT have picked up toxoplasmosis.
Furthermore, if you've been around cats a lot during your life, you might already be immune to toxoplasmosis. 15% of women are immune. You can have a blood test done to see if you are immune.

Answer 4

I've been told by my OBGYN to not clean the cat liter and avoid the cats feet. I would make sure the cat liter box is down in the basement away from a pregnant lady if possible.

Answer 5

Its a bacteria in their poo that you have to be careful of.

Plenty of people that I know have kept their cats and been fine throughout their pregnancy. Just avoid the cat litter like the plague. The risky bit is that if your cat goes in the litter and picks up the bacteria on their lil' paws then tramples all over you, it can be passed on.

Good luck!

Answer 6

its the cat poo thats the prob pregnant women r at risk of toxopasmosis and it can cause miscarriage or birth defects
do not empty litter trays whilst pregnant or use gloves and wash hands thoroughly after or better still if u can make sure puss goes out to do the biz

Answer 7

Cat faeces contain a parasite called toxoplasmosis. This is highly dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause stillbirth and miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid contact with cat litter, and wear gloves when gardening.

Answer 8

You should not change their litter boxes when you are pregnant, because of a certain bacteria in the cat feces. The cats are fine just make hubby deal with the litter boxes!!

Answer 9

It's not just having a cat or being around a cat. Pregnant women just can't clean the litterbox. There is a disease they can get from contact with the feces.

Answer 10

just stay away from there poo,plus they are a risk with sleeping babys they tend to get cozy in the crib and suffercating the baby.
theres a saying its summat like the cat got in the cradel or something.
my aunts 8 day old baby died after the cat slept on its head