Im pregnant what about my cats?!

robyn_fresh

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I have 4 cats who spend most of their time inside. I just found out that I'm pregnant! Now I cnnot change the litter and their is nobody else here to do it.
Will my cats have to go?
 

lotsocats

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I am so glad you are writing for answers instead of taking your cat to the shelter! Please click here to read about pregnancy and cats. The first article is all about pregnancy and toxoplasmosis.

Congratulations on the pregnancy, by the way!
 

trouts mom

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Wooohoo, you can keep your fur family
Congrats on the pregnancy too, that will be an exciting addition
 

buzbyjlc10

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Aw! Congrats on the soon-to-be new addition! You totally don't have to get rid of your kitty! Sounds like you just found out about your pregnancy, so a little research should calm your nerves about keeping your kitty while being pregnant. Also ask your vet... I've got a female vet that has children and I'm sure I'll be callin her up the first time I get pregnant to ask her all about animals and pregnancy/babies, hahaha
 

goldenkitty45

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No you don't have to get rid of your cats. Don't believe ANY one that tells you different.

All you need to do is observe a little extra cleanliness in dealing with the litter pan. Get some plastic disposable gloves (they come in boxes of 100) and use them to scoop or clean the pans. Then wash your hands thoroughly after you do this.

You'll have greater risk of the toxiplasmosis in eating/handling raw meat then cleaning pans. And you risk it more if your cats are eating raw meat - otherwise you have no worries.

As far as after the baby is here, again, just use common sense. A cat is gonna be curious but don't allow them to sleep in the crib with the baby. You can get a screen door on the room the baby's in to keep the cats more/less out for the first few months.
 

prncss89

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Hi I just wanted you to know I have 3 children and I have had cats and kittens during all my pregnancys. I was the only one changing their boxes. As long as you wash your hands you will be fine. Also instead of scooping I changed the boxes every 2 to 3 days. CONGRATS on the pregnancy!
 

icklemiss21

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Most doctors recommend that you just change the litter instead of scooping and scoop more regularly if you are scooping as the bacteria needs a certain amount of time to become dangerous to people.

Congrats!
 

semiferal

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Of course you can! You just need to avoid eating cat poop that's more than 48 hours old. Seriously. You literally have to eat the poop for there to be any risk at all. And even then, the poop has to have been sitting out for 48 hours or more.

And really, if you're snacking on cat poop then you need help that's well beyond the scope of this board!


Seriously, for extra piece of mind you can take your cats to the vet and have them tested for toxo. If they come back negative then you know you have nothing to worry about. If they're positive, then the old advice about not eating their poop still holds.

The major risk factor for toxoplasmosis is actually eating undercooked meat. That's what you need to be most fearful of. Cats get a bum rap for toxo but actually, studies have shown that women who don't have cats are just as likely to get toxo as women who do have cats.
 

starryeyedtiger

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Congradulations on your pregnancy!!! You and your furbabies should get along just fine during your pregnancy....just practice a little extra caution like wearing gloves and disposable surgical masks when you "scoop the poop." Other than that, you should be good to go.
 

kluchetta

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Originally Posted by semiferal

Of course you can! You just need to avoid eating cat poop that's more than 48 hours old. Seriously. You literally have to eat the poop for there to be any risk at all. And even then, the poop has to have been sitting out for 48 hours or more.

And really, if you're snacking on cat poop then you need help that's well beyond the scope of this board!


Seriously, for extra piece of mind you can take your cats to the vet and have them tested for toxo. If they come back negative then you know you have nothing to worry about. If they're positive, then the old advice about not eating their poop still holds.

The major risk factor for toxoplasmosis is actually eating undercooked meat. That's what you need to be most fearful of. Cats get a bum rap for toxo but actually, studies have shown that women who don't have cats are just as likely to get toxo as women who do have cats.
You know, that's a good idea getting them tested. Conversely, I remember reading that most people have already HAD toxoplasmosis by the time they are adults. Maybe you could look into being tested yourself.
 

dara678

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congrats on the baby! i agree with everyone on this board that you should keep your cats
if your cats have toxo, then you might have been infected already and you won't pass that on to the fetus (only new infections can cross the placenta). also -- if you are infected with toxo it's not anythng to worry about UNLESS you get another disease that messes with your immune system like HIV. if your cats don't have toxo, you should keep them inside to PREVENT them from getting toxo (most often from pooping in the soil outside, and from meeting other cats). and like the other ppl said, be careful while cleaning the litter.


ppl always associate toxo with cat litter, but i personally think it's somewhat rare -- you're most likely to get the cysts with eating undercooked meat (toxo is protozoa, not a bacteria).

i personally think having animals around children are a great idea, because they can teach kids how to be gentle and loving, even more than they already are
so congrats on the new addition to your family!
 

kittylova

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Originally Posted by Robyn_Fresh

I have 4 cats who spend most of their time inside. I just found out that I'm pregnant! Now I cnnot change the litter and their is nobody else here to do it.
Will my cats have to go?
KEEP YOUR FUR BALLS!!! dont get rid of them.

cats are better with kids. How many months are you to deliver? Now I cant wait.LOL
 
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