Is it bad to breathe in cat litter while pregnant?
You can change the litter box safely while you’re pregnant, but it’s better to have someone else do this chore if possible. The concern here is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through cat poop (such as in kitty litter or outdoor soil where cats have defecated).
Can you get toxoplasmosis from breathing in cat litter?
As the cat feces dry, the oocysts may become aerosolized. They can thus be inhaled by a person changing cat litter or just walking in an area where cats have defecated. An outbreak of toxoplasmosis among patrons of a riding stable was thought to have occurred in this manner.
How does cat litter affect a fetus?
The myth about cats giving pregnant women toxoplasmosis has been causing misery for a long time. Pregnant women can transmit toxoplasmosis, a rare parasitic disease, to their unborn babies, and a toxoplasmosis infection can lead to miscarriage or cause malformed babies.
Can cat litter make a pregnant woman sick?
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by consuming infected meat, produce, or drinking water, or by handling something contaminated with the parasite (such as soil, cat litter, or meat).
Is breathing in cat litter dust harmful?
Litter Containing Crystalline Silica Dust Over time, crystalline silica can accumulate in your cat’s lungs, resulting in a condition called silicosis, which causes shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity. Humans are also susceptible to silicosis.
Can I kiss my cat while pregnant?
Absolutely! Petting your cat will not result in becoming infected. As a matter of fact, while Toxoplasmosis is a danger to an unborn baby, the chances of actually being infected are very low.
How easy is it to get toxoplasmosis while pregnant?
The chances of getting toxoplasmosis for the first time during pregnancy are thought to be very small. Even if you do become infected, this doesn’t mean your baby will definitely get it. In many cases the infection doesn’t spread to the baby.
Can a human get a cat pregnant?
Probably not. Ethical considerations preclude definitive research on the subject, but it’s safe to say that human DNA has become so different from that of other animals that interbreeding would likely be impossible.
Can you be allergic to cat litter?
Causes of Litter Allergy in Cats Cat litter may contain chemicals, bentonite, silica dust, clay and/or fragrances that can cause your cat to exhibit allergies and begin avoiding the litter box.
Can cat litter affect your lungs?
Crystalline silica dust, the other ingredient in most clumping litters, is a known carcinogen for both humans and household pets when inhaled. The silica dust enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, thus reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen.”