Unlike the popular belief, there is no reason to give up your cat simply because you are expecting a child. Though most people contract toxoplasmosis via ingestion of uncooked meat, people can also become infected by eating infected materials (such as your cat’s poop).
Why toxoplasmosis is not a reason pregnant women should give up their cats:
• In order for you to contract toxoplasmosis from your cat, you would have to eat some portion of its feces.
• The only cats harboring toxoplasmosis are those that are outdoors and hunting infected rodents or those that are fed raw, infected meat. The likelihood of your cat even harboring the disease is very low, especially if he is kept indoors.
• If your cat is exposed to toxoplasmosis, he will only be able to spread it for two weeks.
• The infected material in your cat’s fecal matter require one to fi ve days to even become infectious. Thus, if the litter is changed daily, exposure to the disease is unlikely. What you can do to lower your risk of exposure to toxoplasmosis:
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently
• Avoid eating raw meat and unwashed vegetables
• Keep cats indoors only
• Wear gloves while changing the litter box or have someone else do it
• Change the litter daily
• Feed your cat only prepackaged food
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