There are still many people (including health professionals) who claim that cats cannot live with pregnant women. They claim they can transmit diseases to babies, that they can harm them, or that they are very dirty animals.
To what extent is that true? In Noti Gatos we are going to review the Myths told about cats and pregnancy with the sole purpose of helping to disprove them and prevent any more cats from being seen on the street due to human ignorance.
The cat transmits diseases to the fetus
This myth arose from the toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The cat can become infected when hunting infected rodents or other animals, or by eating contaminated raw meat. In most cases, it shows no symptoms, although in more severe cases there may be loss of appetite or lethargy.
You should know something essential: You could only get infected if your cat was infected. and if the ingestion of oocysts present in contaminated feces. Transmission is exclusively oral, not for petting the cat, nor for its fur, nor for sharing a home.
Furthermore, the cat is not the only source of infection (or, more specifically, its feces). Evidence indicates that the main routes in humans are the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, insufficiently cured sausages, poorly washed fruits and vegetables, contaminated water and contact with earth or sand dirty (gardening) without subsequent hygiene.
- Freshly eliminated feces do not infect: Oocysts take between 24 hours and 5 days to become infective.
- Short elimination period: After a first infection, the cat sheds oocysts for only 1-3 weeks.
- If you have had toxoplasmosis before pregnancy, your immunity protects the fetus against new infections.
- The risk of transmission to the fetus decreases in late stages of gestation, although it does not disappear.
For a cat to transmit the parasite to a pregnant woman, several conditions must be aligned: 1) that the cat becomes infected during your pregnancy; 2) that is in the short elimination period; 3) that the feces remain exposed and mature for 24-48 hours; and 4) that there is accidental ingestion. With basic hygiene and daily cleaning of the litter box, the risk scenario is extraordinarily unlikely.
The cat is dangerous
It depends on the education and the environmentIf you give a cat affection, stability, and security, and make it feel like it's part of the family, it won't be dangerous. It will only defend itself if it perceives a threat, something any living being would do. A well-socialized cat provides peace and company in a stage of change and stress.
Let's not forget that a cat is a living being, that feels and suffers. Recognizes caregivers and responds to respectful treatment. Include predictable routines, quiet resting places, environmental enrichment, and soft play helps reduce feline stress before and after the baby arrives.
- Introduces new smells and sounds of the baby gradually to avoid scares.
- Keep safe areas for the cat (high shelters and scratching posts) and avoid sudden changes.
- Supervises the first meetings and reinforces calm behaviors with prizes.
Far from being a problem, many cats enjoy sleeping near the belly and their purring can convey tranquilityTreat him with respect so you can enjoy his friendship for all the years he lives.
The cat is a dirty animal
This isn't true. The cat is one of the cleanest animals there is. He spends much of the day grooming himself., so it makes no sense to say that it is dirty. Like every animal, it does its business; our responsibility is clean the tray daily to avoid unpleasant odors and minimize risks.
Regarding the hairs that it loosens, brush it daily to reduce hair loss and prevent hairballs. Keep your routine deworming and vaccinations daily and a safe commercial diet (no raw meat) further reduces any possibility of pathogen transmission.
If you are pregnant, it is ideal to have someone else clean the litter box. If this is not possible, use disposable gloves and mask, and wash your hands thoroughly. Collect feces daily to prevent oocysts from maturing and disinfect the litter box with boiling water or steam, since sporulated oocysts are resistant to many disinfectants.
Other effective measures: cook the meat well (or freeze it at -20ºC for two days if you will consume it rare), wash fruits and vegetables, use gloves to JardinerÃa, avoid drinking water from dubious sources and discourage your cat from hunting. There is no contagion by pet the cat nor for its fur.
When we decide to have a cat, we make a commitment that must last until the end of its days. Pregnancy should not be a reason to get rid of it. With reliable information and simple hygiene habits, coexistence between cats and pregnant women is safe and very beneficial for the emotional well-being of the entire family.