cats

[butterflyangel]

I have two cats they are mostly indoors,i DON"T change the litter AT ALL ,and iam trying for a baby should i get rid of my two cats .I do pat them and they sleep on my bed

[caz]

I've got four cats and during my pregnancy I made sure I would wash my hands after patting them, I never changed the kitty litter and if one got on my bed, i'd make sure they stayed at the foot of the bed.

As long as you are careful, I can't see there being a problem

[Lilac]

i DON"T change the litter AT ALL

Gosh!!
I read that intially to mean you've never changed the litter....and nobody else has.....:eek:

[Mamaduke]

Get rid of 'em!!!LOL:devil6:

[nemosmum]

LOL Mamaduke your evil:D :laughing: hahahaha

I am not a cat person at all so I say give em the boot!

No seriously my sis had a cat and was very careful while preggie etc and had no problems, it was only after her bub was born that the cat started acting out (urinating and pooing near the bubs toys etc)
So the cat eventually had to stop being an indoor cat and became an outdoor cat.

Good luck

[aggero]

butteryflyangel I am in a similar situation. TTC#1 have two cats, one indoors and one out. My mum is completed stressed about the thought of me having contact with cats while preggers but there is no way I could get rid of them.

Have done some web browsing and most info says if you have cats you more than likely have already had toxoplasmosis and would have the antibodies and should be fine. Main points I found were:

Stay away from cat litter and if you do have it in your house change in every 24hrs and disinfect tray as takes 24hrs for toxoplasmosis germs to become active.

Don't dig in garden where cats relieve themselves

Wash hands

Would be interested in anyone elses experiences :D

[misskittyfantastico]

Howdy fellow cat people:D
Our puss remained an indoor cat during my pregnancy with no dramas.
I just washed my hands thoroughly after handling her etc...
She's now an outdoor (and quite ok about it) because she's a real snuggler and would leap into DD's bassinette when given any opportunity.
I wouldn't worry too much but be aware that the time you have for them changes after bub comes along and they can get a bit put out LOL

[Charlie]

My Monty is an indoor only kitty....I changed his litter tray the whole time I was Pg... Because he is indoors only and up to date with all Vaccinations and worming both My doctor and his Vet said it was near impossible to catch anything from him...in fact your more likely to catch something from another person than a cat!!

He still sleeps on our bed and is actually more scared of Amelia than anything...he's always looking to see where she is cause he thinks she's gonna get him...:laughing:

The worst thing you can do is ingnore your cats when the baby arrives cause they'll get jealous and act up!!! :shame:

[tickle]

I worked with cats through my whole first pregnancy and have cats at home. I am not a carrier and didn't become one in that time. I think if you follow pretty standard hygiene practices you have nothing to worry about. I change heaps of cat litter and did lots of patting. I wouldn't worry too much.:thumbsup:

[SassyMummy]

My father kept telling me to get rid of Chester (my lovely kitty) all through my pregnancy...but I refused to. He was a part of my family and I loved him. I read up on that taxoplasmosis stuff (only a little mind you - some of it was too medical for me to understand), but from what I understood, it's people that don't hang around cats very much who get it and therefore can have problems with their bub. If you've been around cats for a while, you're likely to have gotten it pre-pregnancy and built up immunities. I still didn't change the poo though (it was great to be able to have a reason NOT to do it!:D )

When we first put up the cot, before DD was born, Chester would ALWAYS sleep in it. I think he thought it was HIS little bed. I got angry and would yell at him and pick him and get him out of it. I would also yell at me whenever he went in the room...I wanted him to be scared of going in there.

He's NEVER tried to get into the cot again. He occassionally comes into the room, but only when I'm in there.

As for acting up around DD - he doesn't like her, so he just leaves if she's anywhere near him. Or, if she's sleeping on me, he'll come over and sit next to me so he can get a fuss at the same time.

I'm sure that soon he'll scratch her though, because she keeps pulling on him...but he usually gets out of her way and it's fine.

IMO, it all depends on the individual pet. My Chester is fine with DD...

[Ana Gram]

I don't want to sound rude but why get a pet in the first place if you can just give them the boot like that? I could never imagine giving up my cats and have always looked for other solutions to any problems that have cropped up.

You haven't really giving us a reason as to why you are wondering if you should get rid of them, so if you tell us what is worrying you about having cats and trying for a baby I am sure we could give you much better answers.

[reAllytee]

Chelle - That was what i was thinking also but i guess she does have some worries after all to post.

I basically agree with what Charlie said about ignoring them as thats when problems occur same with dogs.
Also i pretty much went about things like normal as Charlie did as mine also were indoor cats. I even had my girl cat have kittens while i was pg so i had to look after 5 cats & all the kitty litter, toilet training etc.
Another thing with toxoplasmosis is that you can actually get it from your vegies so if you are unlucky to get it then more than likely it comes from that source so just make sure you practice safe hygiene & all will be fine.
My cats also had free range even into bubs room with no dramas only once on a cold nite did my girl try to sleep at his feet but i kicked her out she hasnt even dared since. Nowadays she is too scared of him anyways LOL.
I really hope that you think twice about just parting with your cats as there really is no need unless your looking for an excuse. Remember that most cats are put down in shelters as there are too many needing homes with not enough people willing to give one.

[Ana Gram]

We have three cats who DD absolutely adores, and not one of them have giving her a bite or a scratch. Two of them usually ty to keep out of her way (one decided to after getting trodden on and I mean right in his middle), the youngest one is unbelievably placid and puts up with a lot. DD accidently sat on her in the bean bag yesterday and she didn't even bat an eyelid! DD constantly goes up to her and gives her "huggles" and tells the cat she loves her, very cute.

Having the cats has taught DD alot. When we visit friends who have cats she deals with them well as these cats don't see children usually. She has learnt to be gentle with patting, she doesn't pull tails or fur, she speaks quietly so she doesn't scare them and she approaches them slowly and doesn't chase them if they run away. And when DD gets a bit older, she will take over the task of feeding, giving water and brushing, which will be very good for her to learn.

[Charlie]

[QUOTE=chellegoth]We have three cats who DD absolutely adores, and not one of them have giving her a bite or a scratch. QUOTE]

When I was little....if I came out with a bite or scatch mum would smack me cause she new I must have done something to the cat to get it. :laughing:

[Sarie]

We have had cats through both pregnancies. With my first pregnancy my hubby changed all the litter, but I still bathed them and patted and cuddled them.
We had a pet shop for my second pregnancy and I had to change the litter in the shop, cause hubby worked else where during the day, so I just used gloves and washed my hands really well.
So long as you've got good hygiene you'll be fine.

[lil button]

I have two cats - 1 a kitten and am almost 12weeks pregnant. As Trent is now in Queensland i have to change litter etc, ( they are completely indoor)i wear gloves and always wash hands after. I have also been around cats my whole life and have been tested for toxoplasmosis. Never had it but doc says should be fine. Cats usually sleep on the bed with me and i am sure will be okay when bubs is born.