Can I Touch Cat Litter?
QUESTION
I'm 3½ months along with my first child. My husband and I just got a new kitten, and I've had seven different relatives tell me that I can't touch cat litter. Is there any truth to this anymore, or was this a problem years ago and the new litter has different effects, or is it just the urine?
Is there anything else I should know about kittens and pregnancy?
ANWER
Hello and congratulations! The concern is about Toxoplasmosis from contact with your cat's stool. Here is a helpful article on this topic.
You can decrease this risk by keeping your cat indoors and following proper sanitary protocol. I have always had cats and I enjoyed allowing my husband to handle that chore during my pregnancies. There were many times that I did clean the boxes and wore gloves and washed my hands following.
All too often people surrender their feline friends out of fear but that is not necessary! So, enjoy your cat and I recommend you visit http://www.pamjohnsonbennett.com/ as she has wonderful information that you might also find helpful!
-- Jen
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Jennifer Shryock
Jennifer Shryock, creator of Dogs & Storks™ CD, is a stay-at-home mom and a certified dog behavior consultant, specializing in safe Kid and K9 interaction. Believing the relationship between dogs and their family is precious, Jennifer created Family Paws to offer opportunities to families that will help enhance their relationship with their dog. She provides positive training techniques to help promote safety and fun between kids and their family dog through Family Paws -- offering a wide variety of services ranging from basic doggie manners to complicated behavioral solutions.
Jennifer is a certified and founding member of IADBC, Inc. and maintains professional memberships with APDT. She is enrolled in a diploma program of Canine Behavior Theory at Cynology College and has been an advisor at Doggie Door forums for three years in the areas of Dogs and Kids and Cat and Dog.
