Can I keep a cat during pregnancy?

The early stage of pregnancy is about three months before conception. At this time, many expectant mothers begin to rest at home and stop working. Because life at home is relatively lonely, they say they will keep a pet at home to take care of themselves, such as a cat. So, can you keep a kitten during pregnancy?

1. Can I keep a kitten during early pregnancy?

The most common argument for not raising kittens is that cats have bacteria that can easily cause miscarriage. People who know more say that cats have Toxoplasma gondii, which can have serious effects on the fetus. But this term is wrong.

Where does Toxoplasma appear? Toxoplasma gondii is a tiny sparganum. Cats may have this type of sparganosis, but it does not necessarily mean that all cats have this type of sparganosis. The Toxoplasma gondii in cats is also spread from other places, and they do not naturally carry Toxoplasma gondii, such as eating mice. Cats kept indoors are generally less susceptible to infection. Except in the countryside, most kittens in the countryside are free-range, and eating mice is inevitable. In addition, eating uncooked meat, especially raw pork and beef, is also very susceptible to Toxoplasma infection. Like cats, small animals such as pigs and sheep can also be infected with Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma gondii may also remain in some poultry, unclean fruits and vegetables, etc. Toxoplasma gondii can also be found in humans.

Before pregnancy, the pregnant mother or even the pregnant father should do a test. If the pregnant mother's toxoplasma antibody is positive, then she must be infected with Toxoplasma. Take immediate prevention. Although it is not easy for people to be infected with Toxoplasma gondii from each other under normal circumstances, it is not certain. Patients in the subacute infection period carry Toxoplasma gondii pathogens in their excrement, urine, saliva, and sputum, which may cause infection if touched. However, pathogens in feces, urine, saliva and sputum cannot survive in the external environment for a long time. If infected, take preventive measures immediately. If you have a cat at home, have it checked as well. If there is callus on pets such as cats, take precautions.

2. How to prevent Toxoplasma infection

Cats are the only livestock known to produce oocysts, which are major pathogens of humans and animals. Unless serum antibody testing confirms that there has been toxoplasmosis infection, protective measures should be strengthened when in contact with cats during pregnancy:

1. Cats are strictly prohibited from licking human hands, faces or mucous membranes. Cats are strictly prohibited from licking work dishes, vegetable plates and other tableware.

2. Don’t let small pets live in people’s bedrooms or sleep in people’s quilts, and bathe them frequently.

3. When raising kittens, you should set up nests and other equipment, and clean them regularly with boiling water for 5 minutes.

4. Pay attention to the disposal of cat feces. Light it up, eliminate it, flush it into the toilet, and bury it underground every day.

5. Wear gloves when cleaning cat litter or cat feces, or wash your hands with soap immediately after cleaning.

6. There are standards for conducting serological tests on cats. Cats often excrete oocysts before producing antibodies. Cats with antibodies have been infected with Toxoplasma or have a certain degree of immunity. Cats lacking antigens may not be infected and should be prevented.

7. The oocysts stored in the soil may contaminate the surface of vegetables and fruits, so they must be cleaned before consumption.

8. Do not eat eggs or uncooked meat. Keep the chopping boards and fruit knives used to cut raw beef, mutton, fish and internal organs separate from those used to cut cooked meat and fruits and vegetables. Wash your hands frequently.

9. Cats must be kept at home and fed cooked food or ready-made kitten food, and they are not allowed to go out to find food. Because cats are infected by eating infected mice or birds, or by eating food contaminated by cat feces.

10. All pregnant women must be careful not to have too close contact with pets during pregnancy to avoid being scratched or bitten by cats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. They should also pay attention to hygiene, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, they should strictly keep a distance from pets.