Cats and Pregnancy

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi Nurse Friends,

I plan to get pregnant soon. I have two cats. Do I need to find them another home? I am the only one who will be cleaning the litter box. What about wearing gloves?

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I don't think you would have to get rid of them but, I would definately suggest to wear a mask and gloves if you have to clean the litter box. They also have those litter boxes now that clean themselves but, I don't know much about them.. My doctor told me to wear a mask and gloves to clean the litter box out.. I talked my husband into cleaning the litter box while I was pregnant and actually moved the litter box to another part of the house so I wouldn't be anywhere near it.. Hope this helps..

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Specializes in Starting in Labor and Delivery!!.

tips from a website I found.....

How can I avoid toxoplasma during pregnancy?

Here are some tips to help you avoid exposure to toxoplasma during your pregnancy:

  • Do not allow your cat to go outside your home where it may come into contact with toxoplasma. If possible, have someone else take care of your cat while you are pregnant.
  • Have another family member change the cat litter box and then disinfect it with boiling water for 5 minutes.
  • If you must handle the chore of changing the litter box, wear rubber gloves to avoid contact with the litter and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
  • Use work gloves when gardening and wash your hands afterwards. Cover children's sandboxes when not in use (cats like to use them as litter boxes).
  • Control flies and cockroaches as much as possible. They can spread contaminated soil or cat feces onto food.
  • Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat (or poultry) and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before you eat and after handling raw meat, soil, sand or cats.
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes or face when preparing food, and wipe the counter clean afterwards.
  • Avoid eating raw eggs and drinking unpasteurized milk.

the website is http://familydoctor.org/180.xml#4 it might answer more of your questions.....

hope this helps!....

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These are definitely questions you should ask your OB about! We can't give medical advice here, so your OB would be the best person to answer your questions. I believe they can actually test you for prenatally to see if you have already been exposed and would therefore be unlikely to pass it on to your baby when you become pregnant.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

ask your OB please. Good luck getting pregnant!

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No medical advice in this post, but I will tell you that I've used two pregnancies as excuses to not clean the litter box!:wink2:

Amanda

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Both the CDC and March of Dimes have good info on toxoplasmosis (cats are only one potential source).

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1228.asp

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

As others have stated, talk to your OB about it.

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