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Is it safe to have a cat during pregnancy? Is cat fur dangerous?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Burmese | Male | 2 lbs

Hello.Is it safe to have a cat during pregnancy(i'm 7months pregnant)?People are saying that cat fur is dangerous for the baby ,is this true?I love my cat so much and my baby is coming out soon in few month .What should i do? Is cat really dangerous for the baby?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jeffrey Milner

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on September 20th, 2018

In my opinion, with the proper precautions it can be perfectly safe. The most common time for the baby to be at risk for transmission is during the women's final trimester, so right now would be your home stretch. However, all information that I have ever learned indicates toxoplasmosis is passed only through the feces (maybe the urine too, I'd have to check on that!) and has nothing to do with the hair, saliva, or blood. Keeping that in mind, the only way you are likely to get in contact with the microorganism is by coming in contact with the cat's poop. Best ways to avoid this are the following:

-If you must handle cat litter. always wear protective gear around your face and hands.
-Always wash your face and hands after handling soiled litter.
-Always wash your face and hands after any extensive handling of your kitty.
-Avoid sleeping in the same bed as your kitty.
-Don't let your cat rub his butt on you!

Hope this helps. Don't get rid of your cat. While the risk is there, I think it is blown completely out of proportion. Then again, I am a male veterinarian. Perhaps a female might answer your differently. I am just giving you the facts. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 16th, 2020

    Hi, the risk is low if your wife does not clean the litter tray and handles cat feaces. It is also important to always cook meat completely and wash carefully all instruments that have been in touch with raw meat. Nowadays it is rare for people to grow their own vegetables, however if this was your case and your cat/other cats were going to the toilet on to the veggies, it is important to wash vegetables well before eating. If you are taking all these measures, the risk of getting toxo is pretty low. Hope this helps !

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 18th, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using PetCoach!

    I think people are just misinformed. When I was pregnant my Ob told me to stop seeing cats. Not sure how a Vet could just stop seeing cats. But I couldn't get Toxoplasma by touching a cat. If the cat was EVER outdoors and hunted then it could be carrying toxoplasmosis. They shed it in their feces. The issue with women is that if they contract toxoplasma while pregnant and the baby gets infected it can cause severe health problems later in life for the baby. I've attached a handout about toxoplasma. Other than this one thing cats are safe.

    I hope this helps!

    http://www.aavmc.org/data/files/case-study/sp%20info%20toxo.pdf

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
Is it safe to have my cat around the house while I'm pregnant?
There really is very little risk having a cat around during a normal, healthy pregnancy. Just wash your hands after petting her, & if you can have anyone else clean the litter box, this would be a reasonable precaution. Otherwise, good, common sense is all that is needed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Pregnant: Can I catch toxoplasmosis from a cat's fur or clothes?
Toxoplasmosis can be diagnosed by blood work or a fecal examination. However toxoplasma takes 24 hours after a bowel movement to become infectious. So if your sister cleans the box daily, and showers daily, and wears clean clothes daily then the likelihood of contamination approaches zero. I am a veterinarian, and touch cats daily, and had my antibodies tested before pregnancy and I have never been exposed. I hope this helps explain this for you. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
How dangerous is toxoplasmosis from cats for humans and pregnancy?
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Your Doctor can test you. If you are negative then you should avoid gardening or doing things with the soil as toxoplasma lives there as well. Then I would have your husband clean Cecile's litter box or you do it wearing gloves and wash your hands. I would also keep your cats indoors. As a Vet, I have been exposed, who knows when or how, and I had a normal pregnancy. Below is a link to the CDC's page on toxoplasma. It should answer all of your questions! I hope this helps and I wish you the best! https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/index.html
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
I'm pregnant and my cat has diarrhea. Is it safe if it gets on me?
Nothing can happen through the skin please don' t worry. However, you always need to wash your hands and wear gloves when you handle his litter tray or your clothes which have diarrhoea on it. Make sure the house is clean etc normal hygiene rules. I would recommend to have him checked over so his diarrhoea can be treated, and he can be neutered, wormed so that everything is in order for when the baby arrives.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat tested positive for toxoplasmosis. Is my pregnant wife safe?
It is a bit complicated as positive toxoplasmosis titer does not mean that your cat has toxoplasmosis. It means that she was in contact with the virus at some point during her life and that she developed some immunity. Repeating the blood test and confirming rise in toxoplasma titer is consistent with ongoing toxoplasma infection. However, if Susan does have toxoplasmosis (which is not that common disease in cats) your wife should not be in contact with her during pregancy. Please, note that the source of infection for us are cats' stools, particicularily not the fresh ones but a few days old or older. I would suggest your wife to discuss this situation with her GP or obstetrician and see what they would recommend.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
New Pet
I'm pregnant. Can I adopt a kitten? What safety precautions needed?
Wash your hands before and after handling Minu. Have someone else manage the litterbox. If you have to do it, wear gloves and wash hands afterwards. Make sure she is current on all vaccines and is on monthly preventatives against intestinal and external parasites.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Can my cat cause infertility or other health issues during pregnancy?
No, this isn't true at all. I have three cats and have had two kids. Now cat poop can carry toxoplasmosis, which causes miscarriage in humans, but that is why pregnant women should not scoop or change the litter box.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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