Changing Cat Litter Box While Pregnant

Avoid stray cats especially kittens.

Changing cat litter box while pregnant.

The toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat s feces. Your vet can test for it but better still follow some simple advice from the cdc when you re pregnant. Although it s very rare if you get toxoplasmosis for the first time when you re pregnant or a few months before you get pregnant the infection can. The concern here is toxoplasmosis a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through cat poop such as in kitty litter or outdoor soil where cats have defecated.

Changing cat litter puts you at risk for contracting an infection called toxoplasmosis there are several ways that a pregnant woman could contract toxoplasmosis but cats are known to be common carriers of the infection. Toxoplasmosis cysts in the litter box require 48 hours to become infective. The cat litter box should be cleaned on a daily basis. Rumor has it that it is very dangerous to change cat litter box during pregnancy.

So let s figure out if it s true and what the real reasons for this point of view are. Experts recommend that pregnant women should avoid emptying the cat litter tray. Read our article on toxoplasmosis for more information. Ideally it should be cleared every day by someone else.

One of the most feared germs present in some cat litter boxes is toxoplasmosis. If you had toxoplasmosis in the past you re generally considered immune which can protect your unborn. Cat litter and cat poo can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection. A dirty cat litter box poses a risk to the cat s health and it also causes health issues for family members especially during pregnancy or people with weak immune systems.

Are cats dangerous for you when you re pregnant. You can change the litter box safely while you re pregnant but it s better to have someone else do this chore if possible. Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food not raw or undercooked meats. You may be wondering why.

Do not get a new cat while you are pregnant. Plus if you live with cats the likelihood is even higher that you ve already contracted the disease and developed an immunity to it. If you are pregnant you have probably heard that you should not change cat litter during your pregnancy. Cats can carry a disease called toxoplasmosis that can harm a fetus and lead to birth defects.

Actually the contact with cats doesn t represent any risk but the parasites in the animal s organism do. If a pregnant woman does find it necessary to change a cat litter box she should wear gloves when doing so and wash her hands thoroughly afterward. Ideally another household member should change the cat litter box. Ensure that the cat litter box is changed daily.

How to reduce your risk of toxoplasmosis.