The truth of cats and pregnant women?

Question

Is it true that pregnant women should stay away from cats because feline might carry a certain kind of worm which can be transferred to the baby? I've got 2 cats at home, and my husband and I are planning to have a baby in the coming 1 year or so. I surely do not want to give up on my cats. I am in Australia and also wondering if there are tests available to be able to check if my cats have those worms?

Answer 1

you can be around your cats just make sure that your husband cleans the litter box not you

Answer 2

You can be around cats but you can not scratch them, like if they have a cut dont touch it, and you will need to stay away from the litter box, there is something in it that is really bad for babies while in utero.  

Answer 3

Oh no cats are fine! I have 1 and my hubby just does the job of cleaning the cat box out.

Answer 4

Cats and pregnant women are perfectly fine so don't worry.

I'm in Australia too and as far as I know there is no worm that will transfer to your baby and if there was I'd say I'd know because I have 3 cats and 2 dogs and had them through my first pregnancy and still have them now during this pregnancy and I smooch with them all the time and I love them dearly and the vet and my doctor know and they've only ever mentioned toxoplasmosis, which you're probably immune to if you have cats anyway, and in any case you would still be careful around animal poo and wear gloves if you have to clean it.

Regarding worming, worm you and your husband with combantrim or something before you try to get pregnant and worm the cats too. I'm not sure if you can be wormed during pregnancy which is what I've been meaning to find out the last few days. My cats are indoor outdoor cats but if they are indoors all the time I don't think worms is a problem.

I give my cats revolution every month and it's one vile on the back of the neck and it protects them from fleas, ear mites, worms and even heartworm, which no other brand does. My cats don't like tablets so worming tablets and paste is out of the question for me and this is so much simpler. There's also a 3 monthly cat allwormer like dogs have, it's called profender, and it's one vile on the back of the neck too, and that protects for 3 months from the other worms that the other brands don't include in their worming. I think it costs about $30 for a pack of 3 of the revolution and depending on the weight of your cat, around $20 for a 2 pack of the profender. So to keep your cats totally worm,flea, ear mite and heartworm free it would cost you about $25 a month for 2 cats. You get it from pet shops or vets.

Answer 5

There is a problem with cleaning the cat litter box while pregnant but that is it and actually most humans are exposed to it long before becoming pregnant so they form an immunity against it.  If you have had cats prior to pregnancy then you have probably already been exposed.  Cats get it from eating mice, rats, birds and things like that and usually indoor only cats don't have it.  My OBGYN just said not to change the litter box to be safe but that I am probably already immuned because I was raised with cats in the house.  He said there is no other reason to worry and that there is no reason to give up my cats.  

Answer 6

So long as you are staying away from the litterbox chores you will be fine.  Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis in their fecies and pregnant women can be exposed to it by breathing in the dust from changing the litter.  There is a blood test that you can have done to see if you have already been exposed to it, and your cats can get tested as well.  It is the toxoplasmosis that is harmful but most cat owners have already been exposed and are immune.  Just check with your Dr. and get your cats tested as well.

Answer 7

Its a parasite that you can get through cat f***s. Since you are a cat owner you probably have been exposed to it and can't get it again. There is a blood test you can have done to find out. I found this article at baby center very helpful. Good luck!

Answer 8

No, no, Cats are fine.  But you're going to want to give the chore of litter box cleaning to your husband once you're pregnant because it's not safe for you to breathe those chemicals.

Answer 9

The cats are fine.  Just assign someone else to litter box duty, and make sure it is done at least daily.

The parasite you are referring to is toxoplasmosis, which is rare in indoor cats, but it is still possible for them to have it.  The oocytes live in the cat f***s, and you can end up exposing yourself to them when you handle cat litter (or dig in the garden, if cat's like to use your garden as their personal bathroom).

Always wear gloves when gardening outside, and get your husband to clean the litter box frequently.  No reason to give up the cats.