Rumor has it that it is very dangerous to change cat litter box during pregnancy.
Changing cat litter box while pregnant.
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.
Plus if you live with cats the likelihood is even higher that you ve already contracted the disease and developed an immunity to it.
The toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat s feces.
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.
Ensure that the cat litter box is changed daily.
Read our article on toxoplasmosis for more information.
Do not get a new cat while you are pregnant.
Pass to and harm your unborn baby.
Ideally another household member should change the cat litter box.
You can change the litter box safely while you re pregnant but it s better to have someone else do this chore if possible.
Why changing cat litter while pregnant isn t recommended the danger associated with cat litter is toxoplasma gondii a parasite that can cause a rare but potentially serious infection called.
Your vet can test for it but better still follow some simple advice from the cdc when you re pregnant.
Experts recommend that pregnant women should avoid emptying the cat litter tray.
Cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
The cat litter box should be cleaned on a daily basis.
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.
You may be wondering why.
Ideally it should be cleared every day by someone else.
How to reduce your risk of toxoplasmosis.
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.
So let s figure out if it s true and what the real reasons for this point of view are.
If you had toxoplasmosis in the past you re generally considered immune which can protect your unborn.
Actually the contact with cats doesn t represent any risk but the parasites in the animal s organism do.
One of the most feared germs present in some cat litter boxes is toxoplasmosis.
Cat litter and cat poo can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection.
Avoid stray cats especially kittens.
Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food not raw or undercooked meats.
Toxoplasmosis cysts in the litter box require 48 hours to become infective.
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.
