Pregnancy & Cleaning Cat Boxes

Pregnant women can contract a rare but serious disease from cleaning cat litter

Toxoplasmosis is a rare disease that can have severely damaging effects to an unborn child if a mother contracts it while pregnant. Pregnant women can contract the disease from exposure to infected cat feces. Because of the risk of exposure, pregnant women must take special precaution when cleaning cat boxes.

Disease Transmission

Cats pass the toxoplasma parasite in their feces after eating rodents or other small animals that are infected. Transmission from cat feces can occur when a pregnant woman changes the litter of an infected cat and accidentally touches her mouth or other parts of her body.

Effects

A pregnant woman may not feel any symptoms of the disease, but it can have severe consequences for her unborn child. Risks to the fetus include severe brain damage, blindness or mental disability that may be present at birth or appear later during child development.

Prevention

You do not need to get rid of your cat if you become pregnant. The best way to avoid contact with the disease is to have someone else clean the cat box if at all possible.

Safety Precautions

If you must clean cat litter boxes, clean boxes daily, use disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face or any other part of your body. Keep cats indoors and feed only commercial canned or dry food.

Considerations

Cat boxes are not the only possible place to come in contact with infected cat feces. Stray cats shed feces outdoors in soil or sand. Wear gloves if you may come in contact with soil or sand through gardening or other activities, and wash hands thoroughly when finished.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention