Anyone know enough about cats to help me?

Question

I currently live with my mom and youner sister, who both love cats. We have two old cats and many young ones. I know being around litter boxes with being prego is bad, it's just trying to convice my mom to get rid of most of them. She yells at me b/c I tell her that there's **** on the floor. Since I can't do nothing about it really, I have to tell her. Just how bad is it really to be around litter boxes?
Salem, my cat who stays upstairs with me, likes to lay on my stomach when I sleep on my back and lay by it whenever she can. Does anyone think this may be a bad or good sing that she'll be good with the baby?


By the way, I'm 13 1/2 weeks. Due late Nov

Answer 1

Firstly, toxoplasmosis is rare in indoor cats unless they eat prey or have come into contact with the parasite from soil that has the parasite in it. (or if he/she comes into contact with another infected cat and gets the parasite that way).
The poop on the floor is no big deal, you can put on a rubber glove or use a bag over your hand and pick it up and flush it (put it in the toilet, close the lid and THEN flush so you're not throwing the poo into the air). Wash your hands afterwards and have someone else scrub that area of the carpet or wear a mask and scrub it yourself. Make sure the litter boxes stay clean, keep up on your mom and sister to have that done a lot, because when a cat uses a full litterbox, they're just stepping on the old poop and tracking it along the floor. It's always good when you have multiple cats to have multiple litter boxes and also to give your carpets a good shampooing regularly.
Put your baby stuff out once you get it (crib, cradle, swing, whatever) and let your cat get used to it. Let your cat smell it and be familiar with it. If you have a friend with a baby invite them over so the cats can get used to the sound of a baby, smell of a baby, etc. Before baby comes, wash anything the cat came into contact with (preventing the spread of parasites, bacterias, dander, and irritants) and buy a crib net. You can find them at babies r us, baby depot, any baby boutique will have them. It's a netting that's a dome shape that Velcros into the baby's crib and zips in the center. It keeps the cats out and once baby starts to climb it will keep baby in! You may want to get your cat used to sleeping elsewhere if you think she will be into things or if you're concerned. Cats love babies sweet milky smell and will want to be where the baby has been (especially considering anything that baby has been in will be snugly for a cat since it's small and soft). Go with your own instinct and tell your Dr. at your next visit about your house and how many cats there are and the issues you are having and they will tell you what risks you're facing. And speak to a vet and they will explain to you how to help the cats and what is best (if giving some of them away is even best) for the cats and you/baby.

Answer 2

I have 2 cats, that are indoor cats and i had them before i was pregnant with my daughter and she is now 4 years old. There is no reason to move, get rid of the cats, avod them you can even wear gloves and do the cats litter. Once the baby is born the only real thing you have to be concerned about is making sure when the baby sleeps that the cats are not in the same room as the baby (babys faces are warm and cat like to lay on them, which can suffocate the baby).

The risk of Toxoplasmosis is the main reason why some people do not like cats near/around them while they are pregnant. This is a infection caused by parasites, these parasite live in raw meat and when cats eat raw meat it can be passed to them. I have put a link down the bottom for you to read more about it.

This is why it is suggested to 'well cook' your own meat when you are pregnant.

You can still do the cats litter you just have to wear gloves and wash your hands after you have done it. Because the paracite in the cats poo takes 24 hours to develope and can only infect you after the 24 hours time. So make sure the litters are changed twice a day (on the safe side) The link i have provided has great info which will help to put your mind at rest.

but the bottom line is you can still keap your cat, if anything your cat would be good for theraputic reasons, to help calm you down and feel relaxed (much like they take animals to retirement villages). There is no nead to get rid of the cats

Answer 3

If you have already had toxoplasmosis, you don't need to worry. Ask your doctor to do a blood test. It's like chicken pox; you should only be able to get it once, and it only causes birth defects if you have an active infection while pregnant. That's why you are advised not to change litter boxes or dig in the garden, and you should wipe down counters that cats might have walked on with dirty feet.

My cat used to lie across my belly, too. Maybe they can hear or feel or sense the baby? They like the extra heat? We had lots of quality time while I was pregnant. It probably doesn't indicate anything in particular about the cat's future relationship with the baby. They will have to get used to each other once the baby is born. Regardless of how loving the cat is toward your belly, don't be fooled. My cat is not nearly as gentle with my kids as I'd like.

Answer 4

Here's things about cats and newborns if you have a crib for the baby cats love to cuddle up in a baby cribs so when the baby is sleeping keep the door shut so the cat can't get in so it would be good to get a baby monitor. And another thing is before baby is born set up the nursery so the cat can explore the room or where ever you plan having the baby sleep so the cat can be discourage to sleep in the crib. Interdouce the new smell to your cat like powder,lotion,etc. And before you bring the baby home have someone bring a piece of clothing home so the cat can smell scent of the baby. And get your cat use to sounds and sights of the baby and try to keep your cat routine as close to normal.

Answer 5

I have a cat, who is strictly in doors. When I got pregnant I asked my OB and she said Toxoplasmosis is really rare and that most cats do not carry it. She said to stay away from the cat liter because of amonia, unless i bought the all natural stuff, which he would not use!

One day at about 14 week my lymphnode swelled up on my neck and i had this rash and all these symptoms that pointed to Toxoplasmosis, and swore my cat had given it to me and yelled at my husband because he did not clean the cat liter every time the cat used it. My best friend is a Vet, so I called her and she said that the only way the cat can get it is to go outside and eat grass or be around another infected cat. Since my cat was in side, I had nothing to worry about. It ended up, I had the shingles. So, if you have cats that go outside, stay away from the liter box and the room it is in because it can be inhaled. Also, cats usually are carriers of ringworm, but it does not affect them. Although, with being pregnant you are likely to get it. You can have your cat tested, but sometimes it is expensive.

Answer 6

changing litter boxes is bad well pregnant as is being too near tham. however having cats around you is perfectly fine. and dont fret about your cat on your belly. while pregnant with my daughters my cat would lay on top of my belly and purr like mad. to this day my girls who are 7 months still love the cats purrs. so do i . it calms them right down when they are fussing. too bad i dont have a cat right now. Whiskars passed about 2 months ago. but i am going to be getting a new kitten. can't wait.

Answer 7

Pregnant women should not be handling
1] cat litter
2] cat s**t
3] cat pee
The p**p carries a disease called toxoplasmosis, which can seriously harm your baby.
It is OK to feed, play with, and cuddle your cats.
They will probably ignore the baby, unless you leave it with an empty bottle. They will sniff it and be only a little curious. When baby gets old enough to interact, make sure he/she learns 'gentle' touch [ petting ]. Most normal animals will not hurt a tiny baby on purpose, but will let them have it when they get bigger and hurt or injure them.

Answer 8

I have cats too. I was told by the doctor to stay away from cat poo and don't eat rare steaks because both can give you toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii.[1] The parasite infects most warm-blooded animals, including humans, but the primary host is the felid (cat) family. Animals are infected by eating infected meat, by contact with cat feces, or by transmission from mother to fetus. The most common means of transmission to humans is raw or undercooked meat

Answer 9

cleaning litter boxes is a big no-no but having cats.... of course i love cats myself and have a kitten at the moment going to the doctor for a pt today and if its positive i wont get rid of my cat. actually cats love little ones and that ive seen myself..... (that's why i got a hubby to clean the box)!!!!!

Answer 10

It's not good to be around the liter boxes, from what my wife has told me. So, I have to change it all the time. She is 35 weeks pregnant. The ammonia can hurt the baby. Not sure how, but it can.