Catbox question ...?

Question

My husband hurt his back so he cant lift the litter.... and im about 8 weeks pg... what can I do to help but still be safe?

is it ok for me to handle the box once the litter is changed?
that is mostly what I do

Answer 1

Get some disposable gloves, and wash your hands very well afterwards even if you've had gloves on.

Answer 2

Pregnant, small children and the elderly are prone to contracting toxoplamosis which takes several days to develop in an unchange litter box, but in these things better safe than sorry. one the litter is inside have your husband use a scoop to refill the cat box. until you are done with pregnancy and you newborn is old enough its best to stay away from the cat box and used litter. I use cat liners and scubbing bubbles to keep everything tidy and stoptrax to keep used litter from all over the house.

Answer 3

My daughter is 26 and i had cats when I was preg. don't let myths scare you. Scoop! no lifting Wal-Mart also make disposable litter pans if you're really nervous about it. You could put a bag opened up underneath and when it's time to toss just pull the bag up and close. you'll never have to touch the pan. they run about 5$ for 2-3

Answer 4

Here's what I do to avoid having to lift a huge pail of litter (I use the scoopable kind): Get one of those big dog food scoops sold in the pet food aisle and leave it in the pail of litter. When it's time to add more to the pan, just use the scoop instead of lifting the pail. I add a few scoops of litter at a time, which is fast and lightweight, and it's easy to remember how many scoops I need each time.

Answer 5

Wal-Mart makes this new litter that looks like white ground up packing peanuts for cat boxs & it is light as a feather. It super absorbant and smells good also. I can't rember the name of it but it is fantastic stuff! It is in the ilewhere they sell the kitty litter.

Answer 6

Wear those heavy gloves used for washing dishes, a long sleeved shirt and long pants.

As soon as you're done with litter chores, wash your hands with soap.

Get one of those automatic litterboxes. Still use gloves when you empty the catch tray.

Toxoplasmosis really isn't the danger cat haters would have you believe. Simple precautions and hand washing is all you need to be safe.
Look here:
http://www.petworldradio.net/toxoplasmosiscolumn.html
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1228.asp

Answer 7

You won't catch anything from the box. A cat has to be a carrier of toxo to pass it on, and they can ONLY pass it on for two weeks after initial exposure, after that they're not passing it and are immune to any further exposures to it.

People catch toxo mostly from handling raw meats (cutting up the supper steak to cook, deboning a chicken, etc.). That or digging in the garden is another likely exposure way. Thing is, most people have already been exposed to this and are now immune.

If your cat is indoors all the time, it's not going to be exposed to toxo during this time and it certainly won't have the 2 week window to spread it to you. Only 2% of house cats carry it anyway.

You can check the CDC site they have a good writeup on this.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

You're safe. If you have ANY concerns you can use rubber gloves or just wash your hands with soap and water after you clean th box. That stops toxo in it's tracks. Besids, you'd have to be touching the poop, that's the part that holds it.

But you're most likely already immune.

Answer 8

Wear gloves and wash your hands....talk to your Doctor as well. I work at a animal hospital and a few years ago one of the Tech's was pregnant and her Doc told her to wear gloves and wash her hands thoroughly and she should be fine.