Introduction
There are many common myths and misconceptions surrounding cats and pregnancy. Some popular beliefs include that cats can sense when a woman is pregnant, that a cat’s litter box is dangerous for pregnant women, and that cats will suck away the breath from babies. However, most of these myths are unfounded and not backed by scientific evidence. This article will examine some of the most prevalent myths about cats and pregnancy and dispel any inaccuracies with facts and research. We will look at topics like toxoplasmosis risks, litter box hazards, cat scratches, stress levels, miscarriage concerns, birth defects, and more. The goal is to provide expectant mothers with a trustworthy resource to better understand cat-related pregnancy risks and make informed choices about cat care during pregnancy.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the definitive host for T. gondii and can become infected by ingesting infected rodents, birds or other small animals. Cats shed T. gondii oocysts in their feces after initial infection, which can then spread to humans (1). The CDC estimates that more than 40 million people in the United States may be infected with T. gondii (2).
Pregnant women are at risk of infection if they handle cat litter or come into contact with cat feces. If a woman becomes infected with toxoplasmosis for the first time during pregnancy or just before pregnancy, the parasite can be transmitted to the developing fetus (3). Congenital toxoplasmosis infection may result in eye damage, developmental delays and other problems in the newborn. However, the risk of transmission is low if proper precautions are taken.
To prevent toxoplasmosis infection, pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter. Cat feces should be scooped out of litter boxes daily, since the parasite does not become infectious until 1-5 days after shedding. Keep cats indoors and feed them commercial food or well-cooked leftovers to avoid hunting behaviors. Always wash hands thoroughly after contact with cats and avoid ingestion of unwashed fruits and vegetables that outdoor cats could contaminate (4). With proper precautions, pregnant women can safely own cats without increased risk of toxoplasmosis.
Sources:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6021893/
(2) https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/epi.html
(3) https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/toxoplasmosis-cats
(4) https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/prevent.html
Litter Box Dangers
One of the biggest concerns around cats and pregnancy is the risk of toxoplasmosis from cleaning litter boxes. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through contact with infected cat feces.
Cats get toxoplasmosis from eating infected rodents, birds or other small animals. The parasite is then shed in the cat’s feces where it can survive and remain infectious for 1-3 weeks. According to the CDC, pregnant women who clean litter boxes are at risk of infection if they inhale or accidentally ingest any of the infected feces [1].
To avoid exposure, pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes. It’s safest if someone else scoops the litter daily, since the parasite needs over 24 hours after being passed to become infectious. Wearing gloves and a mask while cleaning can also lower risks. Properly washing hands afterwards is also essential.
Switching to litter that is finer and less likely to generate dust may further reduce risks. However, the only way to completely eliminate the risk is to avoid cleaning litter boxes altogether while pregnant.
Avoiding Cat Feces
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It is primarily spread through contact with infected cat feces. While toxoplasmosis rarely causes symptoms in healthy adults, it can cause serious complications for a developing fetus if the mother is infected during pregnancy.
According to the CDC, pregnant women can take the following precautions to avoid exposure to toxoplasmosis from cat litter boxes (1):
- Avoid changing litter boxes yourself. Have someone else change the litter box daily.
- If you must clean the litter box, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
- Consider switching your cat to pine pellet litter or other types that are less dusty.
- Keep cats indoors and supervise them when outside to prevent hunting behaviors.
- Avoid feeding cats raw meat, which may contain the toxoplasma parasite.
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after contact with raw meat.
Properly disposing of cat feces daily and avoiding exposure to potential sources of infection are the best ways for pregnant women to prevent toxoplasmosis.
Cat Scratches
It’s a common myth that cat scratches can directly cause harm to a developing fetus. While cat scratches can pose some health risks like infection, they do not pose a risk of direct injury to the fetus itself. According to a case study published in the Green Journal, cat scratches and bites are very unlikely to affect fetal development or lead to birth defects.
The main concern with cat scratches during pregnancy is the potential for infection. Cats’ claws can harbor bacteria that in rare cases can lead to cat scratch disease. However, this infection is generally mild and treatable with antibiotics. According to an analysis in PubMed, cat scratch disease very rarely causes serious complications during pregnancy when treated properly. The infection is not transmitted from mother to fetus.
Overall, while cat scratches should be cleaned and monitored for infection, they do not pose a direct threat to fetal health or development. Pregnant women can continue gently interacting with cats without worrying that a scratch will harm the pregnancy.
Stress and Pregnancy
While some women worry that their cat may be a source of stress and negatively impact their pregnancy, research does not support this concern. In fact, one study found that cat ownership during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of psychological distress in mothers (Matsumura et al., 2022).
It’s true that severe or chronic stress is linked to pregnancy complications like preterm birth. However, there is no evidence that the normal stressors of pet care lead to such serious effects. As long as the pregnant woman is not overwhelmed by caretaking duties, having a cat is unlikely to cause unhealthy stress levels.
Instead, for many pregnant women, their cat is a source of comfort and companionship. Gentle activities like petting or playing with a cat can actually lower cortisol and relieve anxiety. As long as litter duties are shared with other family members, spending time with a furry friend is a healthy part of pregnancy.
Miscarriage Myths
There is a persistent myth that cats can cause miscarriages in pregnant women, but this is not supported by scientific evidence. Multiple studies have found no link between cat ownership and increased risk of miscarriage or other adverse pregnancy outcomes in women.
For example, a large 2021 study published in PLOS One analyzed data on over 1 million pregnant women and found no association between cat ownership and miscarriage risk (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8546983/). The study concluded that cat ownership, exposure to cat litter, and infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii carried by cats were not significant risk factors.
Another 2022 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology examined pet ownership and pregnancy loss in over 700,000 women. The researchers found no evidence that early pregnancy loss was associated with living with either cats or dogs (https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/191/3/348/6325733).
While there are legitimate concerns regarding toxoplasmosis exposure from cleaning litter boxes, there is no scientific evidence that simply owning a cat or being around cats will directly increase miscarriage risk in an otherwise healthy pregnancy. The miscarriage myths surrounding cats appear to stem from unproven theories and cultural superstitions rather than actual data.
Birth Defects
One common myth about cats and pregnancy is that cats can cause birth defects in humans. However, there is no scientific evidence that cats or their feces can directly cause birth defects in human babies. Some research has shown that birth defects in pets, such as cleft palates, limb deformities, and hernias, can be caused by genetics, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, or diseases. But these factors do not apply to human pregnancies. The only concern regarding birth defects relates to the mother contracting toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, which is covered in the toxoplasmosis section.
While additional precautions should be taken to avoid toxoplasmosis exposure when pregnant, having a pet cat in the home does not directly correlate with higher rates of birth defects in humans. As long as proper hygiene is practiced, especially avoiding all contact with cat feces, there is no evidence that simply owning a cat will increase the risk of birth defects. Pregnant women do not need to fear that their pet cat will directly cause malformations or defects in their developing baby.
Allergy Concerns
Some pregnant women develop allergies or experience worsening symptoms if they already have allergies. Common allergy symptoms during pregnancy include itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, and sinus congestion https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/allergies/pregnancy-allergies/. Many pregnant women are allergic to cats, but there are precautions they can take.
Keeping cats out of the bedroom can help reduce allergen exposure. Using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in the home and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can also help. Taking antihistamines and using nasal corticosteroid sprays may alleviate allergy symptoms under a doctor’s supervision. Immunotherapy or allergy shots are generally not initiated during pregnancy but can be continued if already ongoing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3744168/. While allergies can be bothersome, they do not pose dangers to the pregnancy when properly controlled.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence, there are some common myths concerning cats and pregnancy that turn out to be unfounded. Cats do not inherently cause complications like miscarriage, birth defects, or allergies. The main concern with cats is potential toxoplasmosis infection from ingesting infected feces. However, this risk is minimal with indoor cats who cannot access intermediate hosts that spread the parasite. Basic precautions like avoiding litter boxes, wearing gloves when gardening, washing hands frequently, and having someone else handle litter box duties can essentially eliminate any toxoplasmosis risk. While every pregnancy is different, the evidence shows that cats pose little danger to most healthy pregnancies. With some common sense precautions, pregnant women can safely keep their feline companions without undue stress or complications.