Cat Litter and Pregnancy: Risks, and How to Change It Safely

Pregnancy can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time for many women. Expectant mothers often want to take every precaution necessary to ensure the health and safety of their unborn child. One concern that arises during pregnancy is the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis from cleaning a cat litter box.

In this blog, we will explore the risks of cleaning cat litter boxes while pregnant, what toxoplasmosis is, and how to safely change cat litter while pregnant.

Can Pregnant Women Clean Litter Boxes?

It is not recommended for pregnant women to clean litter boxes due to the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause serious health problems for the developing fetus. Pregnant women should avoid contact with cat feces and delegate the task of cleaning the litter box to someone else in the household.

Risks of Cleaning Cat Litter Box While Pregnant

The primary concern when it comes to cleaning cat litter boxes while pregnant is the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. The parasite is commonly found in cat feces and can be transmitted to humans who come into contact with infected feces. The Toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat’s feces [*].

While toxoplasmosis is typically a mild infection for healthy individuals, it can be dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. If a pregnant woman contracts toxoplasmosis, the infection can be passed to the fetus and cause serious health problems. In some cases, it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and eye or brain damage at birth [*].

What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. The parasite can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, but it only reproduces sexually in cats. When a cat becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii, it sheds the parasite in its feces for up to two weeks. The parasite can then be transmitted to humans who come into contact with infected feces [*].

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis can vary depending on the individual, but they may include flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. In healthy individuals, the infection usually resolves on its own without treatment. However, in people with weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women, the infection can cause serious health problems [*]. While infection in early pregnancy poses only a small risk of fetal transmission (less than 6%), rates of transmission can range between 60% and 81% in the third trimester [*].

How to Safely Change Cat Litter While Pregnant

While pregnant women should avoid cleaning cat litter boxes whenever possible, there are precautions they can take if they must do so. Here are some tips for safely changing cat litter while pregnant:

• Wear gloves and a mask. Pregnant women should wear disposable gloves and a mask while cleaning the litter box. This can help prevent them from coming into contact with infected feces or inhaling dust particles that may contain the parasite.
• Use a litter box with a cover. A litter box with a cover can help contain the litter and reduce the risk of coming into contact with infected feces.
• Have a household member clean the litter box at least once a day. The litter box should be emptied completely and washed with hot, soapy water.
• Avoid cleaning the litter box. If possible, pregnant women should avoid cleaning the litter box altogether and have someone else do it for them.
• Keep cats indoors. Cats should stay indoors to prevent them from hunting and reduce the chances they will become infected with Toxoplasma.
• Don’t be a cat collector. Do not adopt or handle stray cats, especially kittens. Do not get a new cat while you are pregnant.
• Stay clean. Always wash your hands after handling used cat litter.

Pregnancy and Cat Litter FAQ

Can you get toxoplasmosis from breathing in cat litter?

When cat feces dry, the oocysts may become aerosolized. They can then be inhaled by a person changing cat litter or just walking in an area where cats have defecated [*]. While it is possible to contract toxoplasmosis from inhaling dust particles that may contain the parasite, it is less common than contracting the infection through contact with infected feces. Pregnant women should still take precautions to avoid inhaling dust particles by wearing a mask while cleaning the litter box.

What are the odds of getting toxoplasmosis while pregnant?

The odds of getting toxoplasmosis while pregnant vary depending on a variety of factors, including the prevalence of the infection in the population, the woman's lifestyle and behavior, and the level of exposure to the parasite. Studies have found that the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is relatively low, with some estimates suggesting that only 1-10% of pregnant women in the United States become infected with the parasite.

How common is toxoplasmosis in pregnancy from cats?

Although it is very rare for pregnant women in the United States to become infected with the parasite, cats are the primary host for the parasite, and pregnant women who come into contact with infected cat feces are at risk of contracting the infection.

Can I clean the litter box while pregnant if I wear a mask?

While wearing a mask can reduce the risk of inhaling dust particles that may contain the parasite, it is still recommended that pregnant women avoid cleaning the litter box whenever possible. If they must clean the litter box, they should take additional precautions such as wearing gloves and washing their hands thoroughly afterward.

What percentage of house cats have toxoplasmosis?

It is estimated that up to 30% of cats in the United States are infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite at some point in their lives. However, cats only shed the parasite in their feces for a limited period, usually for a few weeks after becoming infected. Therefore, the risk of exposure to the parasite from cat feces depends on the cat's history of infection [*].

During which trimester is toxoplasmosis most severe to the fetus?

Toxoplasmosis can be harmful to the developing fetus at any stage of pregnancy. However, the risk of severe complications is highest in the first trimester, when the fetus's organs are developing. If a pregnant woman contracts toxoplasmosis during the first trimester, there is a higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe birth defects.

Should I get tested for toxoplasmosis while pregnant?

Routine testing for toxoplasmosis is not recommended for all pregnant women in the United States. However, pregnant women who are at high risk of contracting the infection, such as those who have been exposed to infected cat feces or who have consumed undercooked meat, may be offered testing. If the test is positive, treatment with antibiotics can reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus.

Can you have a litter box in your bedroom while pregnant?

While it is generally safe to have a litter box in the home while pregnant, it is generally not recommended to have a litter box in your bedroom while pregnant.

The Bottom Line

Pregnant women should take precautions to avoid contracting toxoplasmosis from cat litter boxes. While the risk of contracting the infection is relatively low, the consequences can be severe for the developing fetus.
Pregnant women should avoid cleaning the litter box whenever possible and take precautions such as wearing gloves and a mask and washing their hands thoroughly after handling cat litter.

By taking these simple precautions, pregnant women can reduce the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis and protect the health and safety of their unborn child.

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