Does anyone know why if your pregnant you have to stay away from cat liter?

Question

Its a kitten

Answer 1

Yes yes yes! There is a toxin in cat litter that can effect the pregnancy. I will look it up and put the edit on here. Have your hubby change the kitty box from here on out!

It is called toxoplasmosis and what it does is itr can possibly resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe complications such as blindness and mental retardation.

Answer 2

Cat poop may contain a microbe from which you can contract toxiplasmosis, which causes miscarriages. However, as long as you wear rubber gloves when handling the litter, there should be no problems. Women who have been around cats a lot often build up a resistance to it though. I have had 4 children, and have always had cats, so had no problems during my pregnancies. All my sisters and friends who have had children and cats have also not had any problems. If you are still concerned about it, just get someone else to change the litter.

Answer 3

Cat feces potentially contains a kind of parasite called toxoplasmosis. Cats most likely can have this type of parasite in them from eating raw meat or small animals caught in the yard. If a pregant woman comes in contact with this bacteria, it can potentially cause a lot of harm to her baby's growth and development. Although an outdoor cat is much more likely to harbor this kind of bacteria, it is recommended that a pregnant woman not come in contact with any cat's litter box, and if she must, she should use gloves and wash her hands well afterwards. Regular contact such as petting a cat does not put a woman at risk for getting the parasite. More info:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf

Answer 4

While everyone's answers were correct. It also helps to note that women who've been around cats all their lives have probably already contracted the disease and now have an immunity to it. It has very mild flu like symptoms and poses no threat to a non pregnant woman.
Statisticaly you are more likely to contract toxoplasmosis from eating meat than from cat waste.
It's just a couple of good facts to have handy for any old fashioned relatives you may "freak out" over a cat. Because they are out there!
Like everyone says wear gloves, wash hands, or pass the chore along and keep enjoying kitty.

Answer 5

Cat's feces can contain toxoplasmosis, a deadly parasite that can harm your baby's development, while most prevalent in outdoor cats, indoor cats can harbor this also, it is very important that you do not change the cat litter during your pregnancy

Answer 6

when pregnant get sumone else to change the cats litter box. apparently there is some kind of bacteria in a cats feces that can cause harm. what exactly it is i not sure, but when i was pregnant my roommates had no choice but to have a regular afternnon date with the cat box.

Answer 7

Cats can have an infection called toxoplasmosis. The cat won't be sick and it is usually harmless to most people, HOWEVER if can cause serious problems to the fetus.

Answer 8

cat feces can carry a bacteria that can cause miscarrage. If you have a cat that has always been an indoor cat then you are probably safe, but use gloves and a mask when you scoop to be sure.

Answer 9

Toxoplasmosis. It can affect you and your baby. If you don't have anyone else to change the litter, take your cat to the vet and they can test it for the disease.

Answer 10

you can get toxoplasmosis from the cat poop; its also not only in litter; you have chance if theres outside cats and a sandbox or garden as well.