Is pregnancy harmful for cats?

It’s a common question for pregnant female cat owners–is it safe for me to have a cat? The answer is yes..with a few precautions. Pregnancies come with many worries and owning a cat shouldn’t be one of them. Cats are one of the most common carriers of a parasitic infection called Toxoplasmosis.

Why should pregnant avoid cats?

Cats play an important role in the spread of toxoplasmosis. Cats play an important role in the spread of toxoplasmosis. They become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals.

Can I pet my cat while pregnant?

Be careful with handling cats during pregnancy. They may carry toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite. Cats who go outside or hunt prey can get toxoplasmosis. Cats pass this parasite in their feces (poop).

How do you take care of a pregnant cat?

During her pregnancy, you will want to keep your cat relatively active in order to ensure she is fit for giving birth. Avoid any excessively rowdy activity towards the end of your cat’s pregnancy, however. You will need to help her stay calm as she nears her due date, as anything too active could cause her stress.

Can I be around cat poop while pregnant?

While some cat feces do have the potential to cause serious or even fatal complications in a developing fetus, the fact remains that women do not need to avoid cats altogether during their pregnancy. Staying clear of the litter box will dramatically lower the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Do house cats have toxoplasmosis?

Indoors-only cats are unlikely to be infected with toxoplasmosis unless they eat raw meat diets or your cat eats a rodent. If your cat is infected with toxoplasmosis, it is a limited disease. It occurs only once in a cat’s life; within a month, your cat will stop shedding oocysts.

Do I need to worry about toxoplasmosis with indoor cats?

Toxoplasmosis is a potentially very serious disease and protective measures should be taken to avoid exposure, but the idea that the indoor house cat is a major risk is not realistic.