Anyone have Cats?

I was just wondering if we should have my mom "babysit" our cat during the pregnancy.

I thought that indoor cats wouldn't be a problem, but the nurse told me to stay away from the litter box.

Now I'm kind of afraid to pet the little guy.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

we have a cat...just stay away from the litter box...someone else has to clean that out...petting the cat is ok though, ive been petting and cuddling my kitty throughout the whole preg! hes a suck lol

Re: Anyone have Cats?

We have 5 cats. I pet them all the time, sleep with them, etc. When my girlie kitty was in the Vet hospital I'd visit her and kiss her all up.

Cats pose no threat. I stay away from the litter, but DH always did the scooping duties. If I had to scoop I'd wear gloves. Mine are all indoor and I never heard anything from the OB about the toxoplasmosis test I took... I'm sure if there was a problem, they would have called me.

Personally, IMO and I've had both dogs and cats... indoor cats are cleaner than dogs who go outside. JMO

Re: Anyone have Cats?

Re: Anyone have Cats?

As everyone has already said it is the litter that is the problem, get someone else to clean it for you. Nothing wrong with petting, cuddling & loving your kitty, in fact it is a great stress reliever. I think that nurse just didn't like cats!

Re: Anyone have Cats?

I could try to stay away from my cat but that would mean staying away from my house because he's all over me all the time. Case in point:

Re: Anyone have Cats?

I have a cat...DH just does his litter box now. He sleeps with me every night so I couldn't possibly send him off somewhere.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

Nothing wrong with having a cat. My cat layed all over me throughout my pregnancy.
Just have someone change the litter.
If I had to clean it I used rubber gloves

Re: Anyone have Cats?

Like everyone else, I am also not cleaning the litter box BUT I AM holding, petting, snuggling & sleeping with both kitties!

Re: Anyone have Cats?

we have 2 cats. You're not supposed to clean the litter box, that's all. So my husband does it. So feel free to pet your little guy as much as you want!

Re: Anyone have Cats?

We have 2 cats too. My DH takes care of the litter. My vet actually said that indoor cats pose little risk of having toxoplasmosis but I wasn't going to take any chances.
Other than the litter, nothing's different - they're both always all over me!

Re: Anyone have Cats?

I have 3 cats, and when I get pg I have no intention of staying away from them. I already told DH he would have to change the litter. Although in reality, indoor cats pose little risk because toxoplasmosis comes from soil. The way cats get it into their feces is by digging in soil when they go to the bathroom. So really, there is not much of a chance an indoor cat could carry it.
And its only in feces, so even if your cat did carry it you wouldn't be in any danger by petting and cuddling with her.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

thanks for posting , I had no idea I was supposed to stay away from the kitty litter. DH will clean it

Re: Anyone have Cats?

I have 4 cats and when I first found out I was pg we had just gotten our 4th cat. She was a tiny little kitten that we found out was only 4 weeks old. I cuddled with her soooo much because she was so small and helpless. I pet my cats everyday and my husband says when I sit down it's like Noah's ark because 3 of the 4 have to be sitting on or next to me. Just don't touch the litter. My husband pretty much always cleaned out the litter box, but since I've been pg I havent' gone anywhere near it.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

We got my kitty tested for toxoplasmosis and she came up neg. I still use gloves if I have to change scoop her litter. Just be very careful and let DH or your SO clean it when possible.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

Did the nurse explain to you why you should not be cleaning out the litter box or just tell you to stay away

you are allowed to keep your cat and actually clean out the litter box, however should use gloves and a mask due to the dust from litter and the toxins from the cats urine. Unless your cat is an exclusive outdoor cat you should be more careful otherwise it's safe and fine to keep your cat home with you.

I have 2 cats whith each pregnancy and all is well and healthy here.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

My OB GYN just said to NOT change litter box, that is where you can get toxoplosmosis. But you are more than fine feeding, petting and playing with the cat. BTW, you can also get toxo from interacting with soil (like gardening), so it's not just cats. I just had to be careful with my cat, since he has a propensity to lie on my stomach and when I am pregnant, I obviously cannot let him do that:)

Re: Anyone have Cats?

We have 2 cats, DH changes the litter. I could never send them away. You're more likely to get toxo from soil while gardening (as I believe a PP mentioned) or from handling raw meat.

Re: Anyone have Cats?

DH cleans the litter box. As long as you dont go near it, you will be fine

Re: Anyone have Cats?

Its just the litter box that you need to worry about.

Kitty tinkle is mostly ammonia which is why it's hazardous.

Otherwise, indoor cats are fine.

I posted this question a while back and there is a chance of a virus with outdoor cats (the main problem is you have to catch it BEFORE being pregnant to build antibodies.)toxoplasmosis

I have 3 and doc has no problem

JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE LITTER BOX.

if you must must clean it, use gloves AND A MASK.

Message edited 1/11/2008 1:35:56 PM.