Cats babies litter trays and toxoplasmosis risk, advice please

[minxofmancunia]

I'm desperate to get some pets, have decided cats are probably the best way forward aftre debating the relative merits of them, plus dogs and rabbits.

Have a 3.6 year old dd and ds 5 months. Will he be hugely at toxoplasmosis risk from litter tray excrement. Obviously we'd keep in clean and not let the cats in his room etc. but would he be at risk from being on furniture they'd climbed on?

If it's a all a risk I'll hold off for a couple of years but so want to get some furry friends! Have kept cats before btw so know what the acore is with them.

I'd say there was a risk if you plan on letting either DS change the litter tray bare handed.

at spiced gherkin, it will be me who's doing all the cat care.

They would only be needing it for 6 weeks anyway after that will install a cat flap and they could go outside.

There are things to think of if you ant to get a cat/s things like making sure they can't get into babies bedroom, never leaving them alone etc.

I can't see a reason not to get one/two if that's what you want and can look after them, plenty people have cats then kids and no one bats an eye.

The toxoplasmosis risk is greatest to pregnant women and unborn children.
However, the greater risk to young child is toxocarisis the cat roundworm this risk can be greatly reduced by worming kittens monthly till they are 6 months old and then worming them every 3 months after that for life.
Personally with a 5 month old I would do two things firstly use a covered litter tray and secondly lift it off the ground, my cats have used a litter tray on top of the washing machine in the past.
I think cats are a great pet to have with very young children particularly if you get kittens. Cats can easily get away from children if they don't want attention unlike dogs. They are more independent do if your day is going wrong they can take themselves out unlike a dog.
I have had cats since before my DD was born and all my cats actively seek DD and her friends out to spend time with them. My beautiful girl cat has slept with DD since she was 6months old, an accident, but as DD could roll and commando crawl I figured the cat was more at risk than DD.
I wish you much joy and maybe you too will be come a mad cat lady.

sorry broken finger so typing a bit dodgy!!!