Can You Clean Cat Litter While Pregnant?

The short answer: Yes, the risk exists, but it should be manageable with precautions.

Here's the risk: Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that poses serious risks during pregnancy. According to the CDC, it can cause severe complications in unborn babies including brain damage, vision loss, and developmental delays. While infection during pregnancy is uncommon, the potential consequences are what get everyone's knickers in a knot.

How cats transmit toxoplasmosis

Cats become infected by hunting and eating infected rodents or birds. The parasite forms cysts (oocysts) in cat feces that become infectious 1-5 days after the cat poops. You become infected by accidentally ingesting these microscopic cysts – typically through hand-to-mouth contact after handling contaminated litter.

Indoor vs. outdoor cats: Indoor-only cats that don't hunt have minimal risk of carrying toxoplasmosis, especially if they've been indoors their entire lives and eat only commercial cat food.

Your actual risk level

Here's what I've learned about the risk after doing research on it:

• If you owned your cat before pregnancy, you may already have immunity from previous exposure
• The infection requires ingesting the parasite – casual contact with your cat won't transmit it
• Toxoplasmosis is more commonly contracted from eating undercooked meat or unwashed produce than from cat litter

Safe litter box practices during pregnancy

If you handle cat litter yourself:

1. Wear disposable gloves when you are handling anything litter-related
2. Scoop daily before oocysts become infectious
3. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after
4. Avoid touching your face while cleaning
5. Consider a mask to avoid inhaling dust particles
6. Have your cat tested by a vet if you're concerned

Better option: Ask your partner, family member, or friend to handle litter duty throughout your pregnancy. I mean, it's not something I was keen ever doing let alone at 38 weeks pregnant.

Other toxoplasmosis sources to avoid

• Raw or undercooked meat (especially pork, lamb, and venison)
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Contaminated soil when gardening
• Unpasteurized goat milk

Wash your produce thoroughly and wear gloves when gardening. Wash hands before eating, even after activities that seem unrelated. (This feels like good advice, pregnant or not, right?)

The bottom line

Yes, you should avoid cleaning cat litter during pregnancy if possible, but not because it's an automatic disaster. With proper precautions, the risk is low. If you're the only person available to clean the litter box, consistent safety measures make it manageable.

If you're super worried, talk to your healthcare provider about testing for toxoplasmosis antibodies, especially if you have an outdoor cat or frequently handled litter before pregnancy.

Related reading: Top Tips for Introducing Pets to Your Baby