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Cats and pregnancy

Rachelle • TTC baby number 1 💕

I’ve just started my TTC journey but I’ve recently learned about toxoplasmosis and the risks during pregnancy. Now, I have three cats and am wondering how other ladies dealt with this implication. Re-homing them is absolutely, and shouldn’t have to be, an option. I know that you should get someone else to clean the litter box and wash your hands after touching your cat... But my partner works away from home so it’s not practical for someone else to clean my litter box on a daily basis. I live 3hrs from my parents and 2hrs away from his parents, so asking for parental help isn’t an option. I’m thinking of getting gloves and making sure I’m really strict on hand hygiene. Just looking for some input ☺️

1.4k views • 10 upvotes • 70 comments

COMMENT (70)

Me

Posted at
My OB said if the cats are 100% indoor and there's no chance of them eating birds/mice then there's really no risk of getting infected from cleaning out the litter box.

Gr

Posted at
Toxoplasmosis is not that common. Roughly 30% of households in the US own a cat. Think about that percentage, if it were common, wouldn't you hear about it or get tested for it?It's a parasite, found in the soil. You could get it from veggies or undercooked meat, or cross contamination. It's not even something I would be worried about in a first world country though. If your cat doesn't go outside, there's practically no chance they could ever have it. My OB is thorough, but laid back. He didn't even ask if I had any pets, and most households in the US have some type of pet. Scoop the litter, wash your hands. You're not eating it, you're fine 😜

Ra

Rachelle • Mar 21, 2020
I know right!! Literally everything has instilled fear in me! Like don’t eat this, make sure you eat that, exercise but not too much and not too little... plus everything else. I was literally just trying to prepare myself before TTC and all it’s done is scare the shit out of me because SO MUCH CAN GO WRONG 😱

Gr

Gretl • Mar 17, 2020
Oh good! I hate all the fear mongering with pregnancy. If you research any of the topics that are common like this, you'll find that in first world countries there's practically no risk for any of this. I think a lot of the info out there, is extremely dated too.

Ra

Rachelle • Mar 17, 2020
Thank you!! I’m feeling much better about it all already 😁

Be

Posted at
I have a self cleaning litter box. The tray gets replaced once a month. I usually replace the tray with a new one every month, but my husband will now be doing it while I’m pregnant. It saves so much time! Maybe look into it? I have the PetSafe brand I got on Amazon.

Am

Am • May 4, 2020
Oh yes

Ka

Posted at
Do your cats stay indoors only?? If so then you don’t have to worry. You also don’t have to wash your hands after touching/petting your cats. I clean my cat’s litter box with a gloved hand and then wash my hands afterwards. I’ve done it for both pregnancies and had NO problems whatsoever. You have a higher chance of getting toxoplasmosis from not washing produce and from gardening than you do from your housecat. Please read the book “Expecting Better” for more detailed information and statistics.

Ch

Posted at
You literally have to grab their shot and eat it to catch the bacteria...Just wear gloves and change the litter daily.toxoplasma takes a day to grow so if you wear gloves and clean it daily you will be fine

Ju

Posted at
You have more of a chance of getting toxoplasmosis from raw meat then you do from cat poop if your cats are strictly indoor and they don’t eat animals outside then they shouldn’t have this just wash your hands after you scoop their litter This all came directly from my doctor

Iv

Posted at
I’ve got 2 cats. TTC. cats aren’t going anywhere. I may or may not continue to change the litter once I have conceived.

Je

Posted at
Buy a litter robot!! It's an automatic litterbox.. you'll only have to clean once a week and you won't touch the litter at all because it goes into a bag!

💕

💕 • Jul 28, 2020
That’s a good idea!

Tr

Posted at
I’ve read that really only applies to outdoor cats, as much as possible have someone else do the litter box but don’t worry about when you touch the cat! My whole family have had cats while pregnant and never a single issue!

Fa

Posted at
If nobody said it already ,many of us cat folks that were raised w cats have some immunity to the disease.My girlfriend is married to a vet n the health world says that if your cat stays indoors n has worm meds...no worries..if they go outside just keep their shots n flea meds updated n doctor usual cleaning .If I change litter I'll wear a mask n gloves 💜
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