I have cats and i'm pregnant?

Question

i heard there is something bad with having cats while being pregnant?

Do i have to get rid of them?

and what could happen?

Answer 1

my mom was pregnant with me when she had a cat, he's gone now, but the doctors just told her to have my dad clean out the litter box, so have your husband clean it out and go in another room when he does and you should be fine.

and no you don't have to get rid of them, you should actually keep them, because having a pet can add years onto your life and it teaches people (and kids) responsibility, and animals don't judge others so they're always something that loves you.

Answer 2

women aren't supposed to be on litter box cleaning duty because of the risk of toxoplasmosis. Unfortunately, when pregnant women live alone they have to do this chore for themselves. Since getting rid of a beloved pet isn't an option for most, here are a few easy things you can do to keep your litter box clean, as well as keeping you and your baby safe.

Step1  Put on rubber dish-washing gloves. They will help you to avoid getting the litter on yourself or into any possible cuts on the hands.

Step2  Put on a medical face mask or, if you don't have one, wrap a bandanna or other cloth around your nose and mouth. (Think bank-robbing cowboy.) This will help prevent inhalation of the litter and parasitic particles.

Step3  Scoop litter clumps and fecal waste into a plastic bag.

Step4  Throw the bag of litter away. It's best to toss it out in an outside trashcan or dumpster.

Step5  Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Answer 3

I read that outdoor cats that hunt and eat raw meat are more likely to be carriers of toxoplasmosis.   Anyhow just be careful when you clean the litter.  Its not like you would scoop and rub your eyes or eat without washing your hands anyhow.  I have two cats and just wash up really good after I clean thier box.  

Answer 4

just dont clean the litter box or comeinto contact with their p**p and you all should be fine... the danger is the possibility of getting toxoplasmosis which a fetus is in danger of getting where a normal person/child would be able to fight off

Answer 5

Well if you already had the cats chances are you already have toxoplasmosis which is the thing that causes birth defects and can harm the baby during pregnancy. I would get tested to see if you have it or not. If you already have it then no harm done. If you don't have it already then just don't touch the litter box have someone else do it.  

Answer 6

No, you don't have to get rid of your cat. For now just have your bf or husband change the cat litter, if you have to do it, wear rubber gloves and a white dust mask.  

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that only about 15 percent of women of childbearing age are immune to toxoplasmosis. So unless you know for sure that you're immune, you should take steps to avoid becoming infected. Fortunately, the number of women who contract the disease during pregnancy is still relatively small and not all of them transmit the infection to their babies.

If you get infected with toxoplasmosis in the first trimester, the risk that your baby will also be infected is about 15 percent. The risk rises to about 30 percent if you get infected in the second trimester and to 60 percent in the third trimester. Somewhere between 1 and 10 in 10,000 babies in the United States contract the infection in utero each year.

There's also a very small risk of infecting your baby if you contract the infection within three months before you conceive. To be on the safe side, some experts recommend that infected women wait six months before trying to conceive.

Answer 7

No, the cats aren't bad but they can carry Toxoplasma in their p**p.  Indoor cats are very rarely affected by this bacteria, and usually there is nothing to worry about at all.. but if the kitties do wonder outside you are probably fine too, if you where raised with cats an have ben around them often you have probably already been exposed to the toxoplasma bacteria and your body has built an immunity.  People who have never been around cats are usually the ones at risk.. but have you ever heard of anyone catching this?? I'm guessing no, its very uncommon... but when we are pregnant we take all procautions necessary.. so just in case dint clean the cat box boo hoo I'm sure your very disappointed right?  lol   just make others do it :)   But as far as your kitties, you can still cuddle them and pet them an hug an kiss them all you want! :)  GL

Answer 8

you don't have to get rid of your cat, but i would suggest not changing the litter box im havingg the same prob with my mice as they carry diseasease called lcmv it is rare to catch it but as with cats they say do not to change the trays if you are that worried you could speak to your doc and ask if thay could do blood test for the disease  

Answer 9

I have 2 cats and have had 2 pregnancies and perfectly healthy babies,the only thing u r not allowed to do is do the cat litter tray if u have a partner get him to do it.

Why you should stay away from cat litter:

Reason Number One:

It has harmful pollutants mixed in with the clay. Many people do not realize that like cigarettes, cat litter has tons of harmful pollutants mixed right in with the clay that absorbs odor. When you go out to your local pet store it usually is not the number one question you think to ask the person behind the desk. What's in my cat litter? It is also not something you think to do when you look at the bag of act litter you are about to buy. It never crosses one's mind that cat litter can and is so dangerous for a woman who is pregnant to breathe in. Not only is the clay type full of harmful pollutants but the other types that are usually bought at the pet store. The feline pine is about the safest type of cat litter that one can buy because it says it contains no bi products that can make anyone sick.

Answer 10

sorry hun. but alot of it is because of superstistion,and folk lore,the only thing you have to worry about is urinary track infetion. and maybe a few bad scratches that could get antiseptic.

Answer 11

No..you don't have to get rid of them.  They suggest not to change the litter box though.  If you do..just wear gloves and wash your hands