Can You Have a Cat During Pregnancy?
Toxoplasmosis: real risks and how to prevent it
You can live with your cat during pregnancy. The risk of toxoplasmosis is easily prevented by avoiding contact with the litter box and following basic hygiene measures. There is no need to rehome or abandon your cat.
🐱 What Is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the definitive hosts and can shed oocysts in their feces. If a pregnant woman is infected for the first time during pregnancy, the parasite can be transmitted to the fetus and cause:
- Eye problems: chorioretinitis, which can cause vision loss.
- Hydrocephalus: accumulation of fluid in the brain.
- Brain calcifications: damage to the central nervous system.
- Miscarriage or stillbirth: in severe early infections.
📋 Prevention Measures
| Measure | Importance |
|---|---|
| Have someone else clean the litter box | ⭐ Essential |
| Clean the litter box daily | ⭐ Oocysts take 1-5 days to become infectious |
| Wash your hands after touching the cat | ⭐ Always with soap |
| Keep the cat indoors | Reduces exposure to infected prey |
| Do not feed the cat raw meat | Main source of feline infection |
| Wear gloves for gardening | Soil may contain oocysts |
🔬 Toxoplasmosis Test
A blood test (serology) is performed to detect IgG and IgM antibodies:
- IgG positive + IgM negative: past infection, immune. No risk.
- IgG negative + IgM negative: never infected, susceptible. Continue precautions.
- IgG positive + IgM positive: possible recent infection. Further testing required.
In many countries, this test is included in routine prenatal screening.
✅ Other Sources of Toxoplasmosis (More Common Than Cats)
- Raw or undercooked meat: the most common source of infection in humans.
- Poorly washed vegetables and fruits: contaminated with soil.
- Unsafe drinking water: in rural areas or during travel.
- Gardening without gloves: soil may contain oocysts.
❓ FAQ
Do I have to get rid of my cat if I am pregnant?
No, absolutely not. You can live with your cat by following simple hygiene measures: have someone else clean the litter box, wash your hands after petting the cat, and keep it indoors.
Can I pet my cat during pregnancy?
Yes, petting your cat is safe. The parasite is transmitted through feces, not through contact with fur. Wash your hands afterward as a general precaution.
How do I know if I am immune to toxoplasmosis?
Through a blood test. If you have positive IgG antibodies, you have already had the infection and are immune, so there is no risk of transmission to the fetus.
Can an indoor cat transmit toxoplasmosis?
A cat that never goes outside and only eats commercial cat food has a very low risk of being infected. Even so, it is recommended that someone else clean the litter box.
Sources
- CDC — Toxoplasmosis: Prevention during pregnancy
- ACOG — Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
- NHS — Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy
- RCOG — Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy guidance