Pregnancy & Kitty Litter?

Question

What is the connection between pregnant woman not being able to be near kitty litter?

Answer 1

Its not the litter itself.. Its the cat poo in it. There is a bacteria in cat poo that is deadly to unborn babies... so pregnant women are not supposed change cat litter.

Answer 2

Pregnant women need to be aware that toxoplasmosis (TOX-so-plaz-MO-sis) can cause problems with pregnancy, including abortion. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is carried by cats and is passed in their feces (stool). However, people are more likely to get toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat or gardening than from contact with pet cats. By following simple safety tips, pregnant women can reduce the risk of getting toxoplasmosis from cats.

If you own a cat, have a non-pregnant person change the litter box every day. If there is no one else to change the litter box, wear gloves and wash hands with soap and running water after changing the litter.
Risk may be reduced if the litter box is changed every day.
Keep cats indoors.
Avoid adopting or handling stray cats.
Feed cats only canned or dried commercial cat food, never undercooked or raw meat.
Do not bring a new cat into your house that might have been an outdoor cat or might have been fed raw meat.

Answer 3

From the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/ToxoWomen.pdf

The bottom line is: Toxoplasmosis is dangerous to the unborn baby only if it is the first time you are exposed to it. Chances are you already have been exposed and have antibodies. You can be exposed from cat feces, undercooked meats, and even fruits and veggies. Also from gardening if the neighbourhood cats leave you a little surprise.

Cats are only contagious the FIRST time the become infected. So if you have an outdoor cat chances are they already have had it. If you have an indoor cat, keep them indoors. It is best not to acquire new cats during pregnancy. It is best not to change litter or eat undercooked meat, but hey a gals gotta do, what she's gotta do.

You can get a screening test done before you get pregnant to see if you have been exposed, then you have no worries. Otherwise a test during pregnancy can only show that you have been exposed, not when.

(PS if you have someone else who can do it, act like you can't do it at all. ;-) Pregnancy should have a few perks)

Answer 4

There is a bacteria in their "poo" that can make you and the baby very sick. This condition is called Toxoplasmosis. If you have had cats for along time chances are you have probably already been exposed to this and will be fine. Since, it is hard to tell then you should still avoid kittly litter, but if you have to change it is important to wear gloves and wash very well when finished. BTW eating meats that are medium and below can cause the same thing.

Answer 5

It is due to toxoplasmosis which can cause serious complications in your baby. If you have had your cats for years, chances are that you already have antibodies to this bacteria. There is a blood test available--but you would need to take it before you conceive and it tests you for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. If you have antibodies, you are immune to toxoplasmosis and can safely change the kitty liter. It is estimated that 40% of Americans have already developed the antibody. To avoid infection, you should avoid changing cat litter, wear gloves during gardening--as cats can soil in the soil, wash fruits and veggies, don't eat raw or undercooked meat or unpasterized milk, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meats. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

The danger is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection carried by cats, transmitted in cat feces, and found in gardens where cats poop. If you get toxoplasmosis for the first time when you're pregnant, the baby can get it, too, in utero, and that can cause significant neurological damage. So if you know you've never had toxoplasmosis and have cats, you shouldn't change the litter box and you'll want to be careful about gardening. (Use gloves and a mask if you have to do these things.) If you're not sure whether you've had toxoplasmosis, you can get your blood tested to see whether you've been exposed. If you have been, you don't need to worry about

Answer 7

Ok I just asked my doctor this yesterday day and this was her response. If its an inside cat that doesnt go outside you should be ok because the chances are very slim. Because the Toxoplasmosis the bacteria comes from raw meat. This meaning that your cat had to eat a bird or rat etc etc to get infected. If your cat is an outside cat it would be better if you do not change the litterbox or with gloves and wash your hands with and antibacterial soap afterwards....And they say the bacteria is in their feces so thats why they say its not good to change a litetrbox while your pregnant, but if you take good measures all should be ok!!!

Answer 8

The PH levels in the cat litter can be very harmful to pregnancy. It's almost like a type of ammonia smell which is not good for the baby, just have someone else take car of it during the pregnancy.

Even the best kitty litter can't completly mask the smells!

Answer 9

It's not the kitty litter its the kitty feces and urine you need to stay away from cats have stuff in their systems that can make you sick and if you get sick while pregnant it can carry to the baby and cause complications. But if you have had a cat for a long time chances are you were already exposed to the problem and it wont cause any trouble for your pregnancy but still safe to stay away

Answer 10

Cats can often carry toxoplasmosis. A pregnant woman who is infected with this can miscarry from it. The trick is to treat kittys poop like toxic waste until you give birth, dont touch it or breathe it...this includes putting anything that kitty might touch with his paws up when not in use (as in pillows). Dont worry, petting kitty is ok.

Answer 11

It's the cat's feces that needs to be avoided in the kitty litter because of bacteria that can infect humans.