There is a degree of risk of disease transmission from any contact with an animal, just as there is from any contact with another person.  Some of the diseases involved are minor or even insignificant, while others are potentially devastating.  And the risk can change in certain situations, such as pregnancy. A developing fetus is more susceptible to some diseases that may typically have little to no effect on an adult.  Toxoplasmosis is one disease that gets a lot of attention from pregnant women.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoal parasite Toxoplasma gondii.  Infection of a pregnant woman with Toxoplasma can cause birth defects or even miscarriage. But the real risk occurs when a woman who has not been previously exposed to Toxoplasma becomes infected during pregnancy. Pregnant women who were exposed to Toxoplamsa before they became pregnant, and therefore already have antibodies against the parasite, are not at risk.

Cats are the only animal species that can spread Toxoplasma in their stool. Only a very small percentage of cats are shedding Toxoplasma at any one time, but the proportion can be higher among cats that go outside, hunt or are fed raw meat. It takes 24 hours or more for Toxoplasma in cat stool to become infectious – a person cannot be infected with Toxoplasma from fresh stool. This key point can greatly reduce the risk of transmission from a cat, if the cat’s litter box is cleaned out on a daily basis.

Any infection that can potentially have devastating effects on a fetus needs to be taken seriously. While it appears to be rare these days, some women are still advised to get rid of their cats if they are pregnant. Pregnant women do not need to give up their cats!  A few basic measures can greatly reduce the risk of transmission of Toxoplasma from cats to pregnant women:

• Pregnant women should not have contact with litter boxes (or any cat feces) if possible – preferably another person should do the litter box cleaning.
  • If a pregnant woman must clean the litter box, it should be done daily so that Toxoplasma does not have enough time to become infectious.
• Litter boxes should be regularly scrubbed and cleaned with scalding water (see the Worms & Germs Resources page for more information on Litter Boxes).
• Keep your cat’s fur free of stool contamination.  This is especially  important in longhaired cats that might get stool on the fur around their hind end, or sick/old/obese cats that have difficulty grooming themselves properly.
• Keep your cat indoors. Outdoor cats are more likely to be exposed to Toxoplasma and spread the infection.
• Do not feed your cat raw meat.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the litter box, handling raw fruit and vegetables, and working with soil (for example, in the garden).
• Cook all meat completely to recommended temperatures, and practice safe meat handling to prevent spread of contamination from raw meat to kitchen surfaces and other food.

More information about Toxoplasma and zoonotic diesases associated with Cats can be found on the Woms & Germs Resources page.