Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect poo to be scooped from little box?

55 replies

Timetotryagain · 01/11/2025 22:28

For context i am pregnant so not something i can do myself.

Cat must have pooped in her litter box at some point this evening, i just spotted it now at around 10pm and got a little bag ready to hand to my husband. He says " I know its there, i will do it in the morning"

AIBU to think that this is disgusting?? Theres a poo in the litter box, she might want to use it and he will "do it in the morning" because he can't be bothered to do it now

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
StrongLikeMamma · 04/11/2025 08:19

Timetotryagain · 01/11/2025 22:44

He has thankfully now done it after me pleading with him 😒

Show quote history

Very dramatic

101Kittens · 04/11/2025 08:11

Timetotryagain · 03/11/2025 09:18

For those commenting that i should do it anyway and that its lazy for me not to, all pregnancy advice says to avoid cleaning litter boxes unless absolutely necessary so no i wont be doing it whilst my partner is in the house haha!

He's shown he won't clean it immediately upon knowing it is soiled so you are at more risk from spores from leaving poop over night than you are from scooping and bagging it yourself.

Is he washing all fruit, veg and salad for you too? More risk from contaminated soil contact on them than your own cat.

Hallywally · 04/11/2025 08:01

@BlueuggbootsNo not every time they’ve used the litter box, I just mean check it regularly & if you know they’ve done a poo (smell it) then clear it.

Gilgogirl · 03/11/2025 20:08

LadyTable · 03/11/2025 19:04

Yes, read the thread.

She's got more chance of catching toxoplasmosis from stroking her cat after it's shat in the garden, than she has from touching a plastic scoop whilst wearing rubber gloves.

Show quote history

I had a friend who got toxoplasmosis so I know about it. Being pregnant I still wouldn’t do it and I’m sure her husband knows that and is just being an obstinate knob. Just do it for your pregnant you twat is what I say.

ShodAndShadySenators · 03/11/2025 19:27

I use the scoop for the balls of wee, and a poo bag pulled over the hand for poos. I thought everyone did something like that?

Our cat scratches at the wall if she's done one that's particularly smelly. Mostly they're not but occasionally there's one that could strip paint, so we want to get that bagged up and out in the wheelie bin pronto. And so does she, it turns out.

Your DH is BU. Poos should be bagged and turfed out ASAP, it's not something you leave until you feel like it. He doesn't leave the lavatory unflushed, does he? (hoping bloody not)

Buffypaws · 03/11/2025 19:11

Bitzee · 02/11/2025 21:03

Get a litter robot!!!

But also yes he should do it, it’s grim AF to leave it and risks the cat protest popping elsewhere. And yes sticking the rubber gloves on might be a needs must if you were on your own but a pregnant woman shouldn’t be touching the litter when there’s another capable adult in the house.

Yes litter robot 4, litter hopper.best money you’ll ever spend.

LadyTable · 03/11/2025 19:04

Gilgogirl · 03/11/2025 19:01

Pregnant woman are specifically told not to touch cat poop when they’re pregnant bc of parasite and other bacteria in the feces.

Show quote history

Yes, read the thread.

She's got more chance of catching toxoplasmosis from stroking her cat after it's shat in the garden, than she has from touching a plastic scoop whilst wearing rubber gloves.

Gilgogirl · 03/11/2025 19:01

LadyTable · 01/11/2025 22:31

I'd just stick a pair of gloves on and scoop it myself.

Gross to leave it until tomorrow.

Pregnant woman are specifically told not to touch cat poop when they’re pregnant bc of parasite and other bacteria in the feces.

Bikergran · 03/11/2025 18:57

Timetotryagain · 01/11/2025 22:28

For context i am pregnant so not something i can do myself.

Cat must have pooped in her litter box at some point this evening, i just spotted it now at around 10pm and got a little bag ready to hand to my husband. He says " I know its there, i will do it in the morning"

AIBU to think that this is disgusting?? Theres a poo in the litter box, she might want to use it and he will "do it in the morning" because he can't be bothered to do it now

Pregnant women SHOULD NOT handle cat faeces at all, due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, dud you not know this? He should be doing it all the time and promptly.

Blueuggboots · 03/11/2025 18:28

@Hallywallyof course I do? Nope. I do check it regularly, but certainly not every single time they use it.

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 03/11/2025 18:26

I have two cats, they each have a litter box. I am 21 weeks pregnant with my first. I put a mask on to scoop the poop and pee clumps up into the nappy bag slowly and carefully. Nappy bag is then tied up and chucked in the bin, I then wash my hands, remove the mask and put fresh water into the water bowl. All fine so far. I had my 20 week scan last week and my little boy is healthy as can be. It's fine to clean out litter boxes as long as you mask up and wash your hands immediately after. I agree with PP, you're far more likely to catch toxoplasmosis after a cat has pooped. Just make sure you wash and clean more.

Hallywally · 03/11/2025 18:20

@Blueuggbootsof course you do if you know they’ve done one and it should be checked regularly. Would you leave your toilet unflushed?

Hallywally · 03/11/2025 18:17

I always check litters when I get up/before I go to bed and will scoop poo any time of day if I smell it. Leaving it overnight is 🤮

Lastfroginthebox · 03/11/2025 18:15

CalzoneOnLegs · 01/11/2025 23:48

@LadyTable OP is Pregnant so there is a risk of toxoplasmosis from the cats poo.

If you're using the bag to pick it up and then washing your hands, I don't see any risk.

Lastfroginthebox · 03/11/2025 18:13

Why can't you do it? I don't understand what being pregnant has to do with it.

Blueuggboots · 03/11/2025 18:01

I have two cats, who quite happily do their business in their litter trays when there is already stuff in them. Good grief, I’d never go out of the house if they didn’t!

QuenchedSquirrel · 03/11/2025 17:55

JohnTheRevelator · 01/11/2025 23:48

My cat is the same. She will not poo in the litter box if it already has a poo in it. And she sometimes won't poo in it if there's a wee in it. If I've been out for a few hours and this has happened,I come home to find the poo on the floor next to the litter box.

Edited
Show quote history

I leave my cat two trays when I'm out in case he needs both a wee and a poo.

I've also taken to putting two down at night as if he has an early poo, he just runs over me in bed when he needs his morning wee until I sort it.

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 03/11/2025 17:49

Blueuggboots · 03/11/2025 15:27

You don’t need to scoop every single poo out every time they do one?? That’s ridiculous.

Why is it ridiculous? If you have a cat who will not use a soiled box, not scooping means they will poo elsewhere.

Blueuggboots · 03/11/2025 15:27

You don’t need to scoop every single poo out every time they do one?? That’s ridiculous.

FuzzyWolf · 03/11/2025 15:15

BelatrixLestrange · 03/11/2025 14:49

What on earth do you think pregnant women with nobody else to do it do?

Ah that's right we wear gloves and wash our hands afterwards 🙄

Honestly

Show quote history

I think many pregnant women hire pet sitters to come in and do a litter change. It’s around £6 per visit here.

CalzoneOnLegs · 03/11/2025 15:14

BelatrixLestrange · 03/11/2025 14:49

What on earth do you think pregnant women with nobody else to do it do?

Ah that's right we wear gloves and wash our hands afterwards 🙄

Honestly

Show quote history

according to health guidelines this is as a last resort, OP has someone else that can do it and that’s recommended.

BelatrixLestrange · 03/11/2025 14:49

CalzoneOnLegs · 02/11/2025 19:53

@Timetotryagain

yep despite the NHS advice to avoid cat poo when pregnant there’s always the armchair bacteriologist who will disagree isn’t there. Good luck with your baby OP and yeah avoid the shitter tray -you know it makes sense ❤️

What on earth do you think pregnant women with nobody else to do it do?

Ah that's right we wear gloves and wash our hands afterwards 🙄

Honestly

LadyTable · 03/11/2025 14:45

Timetotryagain · 03/11/2025 09:18

For those commenting that i should do it anyway and that its lazy for me not to, all pregnancy advice says to avoid cleaning litter boxes unless absolutely necessary so no i wont be doing it whilst my partner is in the house haha!

Oh, ok.

Well the first line of your OP says you can't, not that you just don't want to.

I guess you'll just have to accept him doing it his way then.

dontmalbeconme · 03/11/2025 14:29

Timetotryagain · 03/11/2025 09:18

For those commenting that i should do it anyway and that its lazy for me not to, all pregnancy advice says to avoid cleaning litter boxes unless absolutely necessary so no i wont be doing it whilst my partner is in the house haha!

Well if you're expecting someone else to do it, you need to accept they will be doing it to their own standards and timescales.

Original poster
Timetotryagain · 03/11/2025 09:18

For those commenting that i should do it anyway and that its lazy for me not to, all pregnancy advice says to avoid cleaning litter boxes unless absolutely necessary so no i wont be doing it whilst my partner is in the house haha!

OP posts: