Is it harmful for a pregnant woman to clean a cat litter box because of the fumes/toxins?



Answers:
Pregnant women need to be aware that toxoplasmosis (TOX-so-plaz-MO-sis) can cause problems with pregnancy, including abortion. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is carried by cats and is passed in their feces (stool). However, people are more likely to get toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat or gardening than from contact with pet cats. By following simple safety tips, pregnant women can reduce the risk of getting toxoplasmosis from cats.

If you own a cat, have a non-pregnant person change the litter box every day. If there is no one else to change the litter box, wear gloves and wash hands with soap and running water after changing the litter.

Yes!
Pregnant women should not change the cat litter box. Cat Litter may contain organisms that can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease that can harm the fetus.
are you afraid of cat poop killing your baby?

you are aware that late term amniotic fluid has a large component of the baby's fecal matter floating freely through it right?

no, don't listen to these people, it's harmless--just wash your hands
Yes
YES! You can pick up microorganisms that can cause a baby to be brain damaged! Come on, you have to know this! Stay away from the kitty box..what is the matter with you?
It is not the fumes but a parasite in Cat feces, while it is safe to have cats you should not do the litter box.
YES IT CAN MAKE YOU VERY SICK AND HARM THE BABY TOO
Yes, it is. There's something in the cat poop that can be toxic to a pregnant woman and fetus. I can't remember what it's called, but it should be easy to research or ask an OB/GYN.
im pregnant 38weeks and its advised not too do any thing like that even cleaning products should not be used. and what ever u do do not let your cat sleep on you belly it is very dangrous for ur baby
The reason it can be harmful to the baby is because some outdoor cats and maybe even indoor ones can carry a parasite called Toxoplamosis. It is well known that pregnant women should not clean litter boxes.
Toxoplasmosis is a rare but serious blood infection that can cause birth defects including blindness, deafness, and mental retardation. The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is rare, but it can be found in the solid waste of cats. If you have a cat, get someone else to clean the litter box, and avoid gardening in places where the cat may have deposited feces. If avoiding these tasks is impossible, wear rubber gloves!
Yes it is bad!
Yes.it is harmful. Don't do it!!

It can transmit toxoplasmosis that can harm your fetus.

Good Luck!
As long as you're careful everything should be fine. Just make sure you wash your hands after and if your concerned get some surgical masks from the drug store. They're inexpensive and will stop you from inhaling some of the toxins.
Cats are the host species for Toxoplasma gondii, a type of protozoa. The protozoa and its eggs are in the cat's feces, so when you clean a litter box, you are potentially exposed to it. It doesn't cause any harm to a normal adult, but it can cause birth defects and mental retardation to the fetus, which is why they tell pregnant women not to clean litter boxes.
Yes, you shouldn't clean the litter box while pregnant. To much bacteria.
That is a good question. Yes it is make your husband do it. I did.Many pregnant women have cats in their household. Why should pregnant women avoid coming in contact with cat litter?

Toxoplasmosis is a common infection found in up to 40% of all cat owners. It´s a minor infection that normally does not cause any side effects at all. However, it can be extremely harmful to a developing fetus. For this reason, pregnant women should turn over cat litter duties to someone else during their pregnancy.

It is only the cat stool that carries this threat, so keep the litter box somewhere away from the regular family areas, and have someone other than the mother care for the box during the pregnancy period. Once the baby is born, the baby and the cats can grow up together.

Pregnancy Page
Toxoplasmosis is the disease that's associated with a parasite you can get from cat feces. But, not all cats have this parasite in their system. The cats that are most at risk for getting this parasite are cats that are allowed outside, eat birds or rodents, or eat raw/undercooked meat. If your cat is an indoor cat that eats only dry or canned food, then the risk to you is minimal, because they probably haven't been exposed to the parasite.

But to be on the safe side, if there is someone else who can clean your cat's box while you're pregnant, it would be a good idea. Your cat's box should also be cleaned on a daily basis to further decrease the risk. If you have to do it, make certain you wear disposable rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly and dispose of the gloves after doing so.

Now here's the kicker. The parasites associated with Toxoplasmosis can also be found in raw meat and outside in the soil. So.if you are preparing or handling raw meat, you might consider wearing gloves. You also don't want to be consuming any raw or undercooked meat either while you're pregnant. Cooking kills the parasite.

You also want to wear rubber gloves if you're going to be doing any gardening so you don't accidently come in contact with any hidden cat feces in the soil (cats love to bury their business in soft soil).

Good luck to you!
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