The Cats

[JillyCooper2015]

Hiya,

Found out I'm pregnant yesterday (hurrah! my partner had a VR last year, so, we are really super happy and excited).

We have 2 cats who will sometimes sleep with us, but definitely wake us up for their breakfast time by jumping on us...

They use the great outside as their litter tray.

I was wondering whether I should lock them out of our room at night now because of this toxyplas thingy.

Thanks :)

[Roseberrry]

I've heard that if you have cats you've probably caught it before but put it down to a bug.

I've had 2 kids and never successfully managed to get my cats off my bed and we're all fine.

[BeardMinge]

No you'll be fine.

We did start shutting our cat downstairs towards the end of my pregnancy to get him used to not sleeping in with us.

I also had a very visceral reaction to him being close to the baby when she was tiny, he looked as threatening as a full size lion or tiger, presumably some kind of hormonal maternal protection thing. They are great friends now she's a toddler (well, she adores him, he spends his life jumping out of tail grabbing range).

[JillyCooper2015]

Thanks - my partner will be happy - he was pretty upset at the lack of cat cuddles when I mentioned it !

Too cute BM - I can picture the same with our 2 !!

[HP07]

You will be absolutely fine. I've lived with cats all my life. I currently have 3 of my own, I am also a vet nurse and a pet sitter so deal with a lot a cat waste and I have been tested for toxo and have not got antibodies. If I haven't been exposed then the chances are you haven't either and aren't likely to by sleeping with the cats. Unless you groom them with your tongue! ;) Just don't do gardening without gloves especially if your cats toilet outside and make sure you wash your hands.

[GoldPlatedBacon]

You'll be fine. If your cats use litter tray then you'll have a good excuse for your DP to deal with it from now on!!

We didn't do anything special re sleeping arrangements for the Cat when I was pregnant. When dd was born he was just locked out of the bedroom, he took it fairly well although would still wake us up at 5 for food. However he is an outdoor cat and will often stay out all night by his own accord.

[KatharinaRosalie]

According to studies, pregnant cat owners do not have a higher risk of catching toxo during pregnancy than non-cat owners. And most people who do get it, have gotten it from undercooked meat, not cats.

[IrisPurple1]

You'll be absolutely fine. You'll probably have a stronger immune system from having been exposed to animals.

I have a cat and I still kiss him and cuddle him despite being paranoid about everything else (even changed my route to walk to work to slightly avoid pollution from busier roads).

I reckon you and your baby will get more benefit from the peace a joy a cat brings. When my mum was pregnant with me her cat used to curl round her bump and purr (still waiting for mine to do the same!).

And if your cats are anything like mine they will miaow all night until you let them back in.