Cleaning Cat Litter Box While Pregnant
Toxoplasmosis cysts in the litter box require 48 hours to become infective.
Cleaning cat litter box while pregnant. Pregnant women should wear gloves when gardening or working in soil or sand as it may have been used by neighborhood cats and contain cat feces. You can change the litter box safely while you re pregnant but it s better to have someone else do this chore if possible. It s a popular myth that pregnant women will contract a disease or harm their baby if they continue to clean their pet s litter box but in reality more people contract toxoplasmosis from mishandling and eating raw meat than cleaning kitty s throne. Pregnant women should also avoid handling or ingesting raw meat.
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. If no one can do it don t be afraid. The humane society of the united states offers these suggestions. Cleaning a kitty litter box can lead to toxoplasmosis a condition that can be extremely harmful to pregnant women and unborn babies.
If you do not have somebody to help with this or if a situation occurs where you need to change your cat s litter box use gloves and a mask and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you are done. There you have it you have 48 hours as a pregnant woman to clean out the litter box. But it is better to be on the safe side and to ask other members of your family to clean the cat litter box when you are pregnant. The cat litter box should be cleaned on a daily basis.
Changing cat litter daily may help cut down your chances of being infected. If you must clean the box yourself wear gloves and then thoroughly wash hands. Make sure the litter box is cleaned daily and keep your cat indoors. Ask a partner friend or family member to clean the litter box while you are pregnant.
Feed your cat canned or dry cat food. It is also a good idea to pass the test for toxoplasmosis. They are soft and cuddly creatures. It s always necessary to where gloves and wash your hands after cleaning the litter box because well you re handling poo.
It is best if you can have somebody that is not pregnant change your cat s litter box. But we can just keep telling our men it s not safe. Even with a litter scoop it s gross but we love our cats so we do it.