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PETJUNCTION411.COM
he widespread belief that pregnant
women or those with newborn
babies cannot safely keep cats at
home needs some clarification. First
and foremost, the notion that cats
could harm your baby by “stealing
their breath” is unfounded. While it’s
true that cats enjoy snuggling close
to warm bodies, posing a potential
risk to newborns who cannot move
away, there are effective strategies to
mitigate this risk and ensure your cat
stays out of the baby’s crib.
To prevent your cat from entering the
crib, you could apply double-sided
sticky tape to the crib’s interior, which
cats find bothersome. Alternatively,
placing inflated balloons in the crib can
act as a deterrent. However, the most
reliable method might be to install a
light mesh canopy over the crib.
Concerning
the
health
risks
to
pregnant women, the primary concern
involves toxoplasmosis, a condition
caused by a protozoan. Humans can
contract toxoplasmosis by consuming
undercooked
meat,
handling
contaminated soil or unclean cat feces.
However, it’s important to note that cat
feces are not infectious until 24 hours
after excretion.
In reality, most humans and cats have
already been exposed to toxoplasmosis
and are immune to it. The occurrence
of prenatal toxoplasmosis transmission
from cats is exceedingly rare.
To assess your risk, you can have
your doctor perform a toxoplasmosis
antibody titer to determine whether
you’ve been exposed to the infection
previously. A positive result indicates
immunity,
while
a
negative
one
suggests you need to take precautions.
What precautions can be taken? You
can start by having your veterinarian
check your cat for toxoplasmosis.
Keeping your cat indoors can prevent
them from contracting the protozoan
by hunting. Assign the task of cleaning
the litter box to another household
member or use rubber gloves and
clean it daily if you must do it yourself.
When working with soil outdoors,
always wear gloves and wash your
hands thoroughly afterwards. Ensure
meat is cooked to at least 150 degrees
Fahrenheit and always wash your hands
after handling raw meat.
With the right precautions, there’s no
need to part with your beloved cat
during pregnancy or after welcoming a
newborn. By following these guidelines,
you can maintain the health and safety
of your baby, yourself, and your feline
friend.
DISPELLING THE MYTH:
Keeping Cats with Newborns
and During Pregnancy
by Shelly Allen