Pregnant cat lady

[VintageCherry26]

I'm 5 and a half weeks pregnant, and we have a pet kitten. I know they recommend passing on cleaning the the kitty litter altogether when pregnant. Does anyone have any experience whether wearing gloves and thoroughly washing hands after will be okay? I'm sure DP will take on the responsibility but I thought I'd ask advice from any other pregnant cat ladies just in case!!

You'll be fine, just wash your hands after each clean, as I'm sure you already do! My partner does most of the cleaning but like hell am I leaving it to smell during the day when he's at work - I don't wear gloves, I simply use a scoop and some good antibacterial soap each and every time.

My partner has been doing it no questions asked but same as above ill do it if he isnt around. Just avoid as much as poss. Also you should prob post a pic of the kitten so we can check its not dangerous

Haha woodwaj good thinking!!

I reccomend the Argos cat loo, with the flap on it, no smells escape. It wouldn't be a bad idea getting your fur baby used to it asap. I think cat poop would have made my morning sickness ten times as bad! X

I am 14 weeks pregnant and we have 3 cats. Since we found my DH has been cleaning the litter and occasionally I do too I just wash my hands afterwards. Relax you'll be fine :)

Thank you for the advice! I'm on the mums net app and can't see if I can upload a photo here, but I will see if I can soon on the original site :) I think a covered litter tray will be a necessity! My nausea started a few days ago and our kitten decided to do a massive poo behind the sofa I was sitting on. The smell was so strong I was ill instantly and have felt deathly sick all day!! Another good excuse for DP do deal with it

Toxoplasma eggs are only infective after several days, so if the tray is cleaned daily it's not a problem. V basic hand hygiene is protective. Most people who have been exposed to toxoplasma get it from (cat faeces in) soil when gardening or unwashed vegetables.
I'm a vet, I've worked with sick cats for over 15 years,I have been tested in each pregnancy and I still haven't caught toxoplasma. Take precautions but don't lose sleep over it.
however if it gets you out of doing the tray don't mention the above to DH

Amazing, thank you bakingtins! Haha, I'll share information with him on a need to know basis

I second using the litter box- keeps smells at bay (i have 2 house cats, it can get very smelly) also means when baby is crawling, the litter tray is covered and they won't be grabbing it!!

I use a scoop and old pair of marigold, kept separate just for litter. I think as long as you wash your hands, use antibacterial soap/gel, you wil be fine!!

I bought some disposable gloves. They're cheap and I
Just chuck them away with the litter. I still wash my hands, but a lot easier and less messy than washing rubber gloves!

We have an indoor cat and an outdoor cat so have a litter tray in the house. As a general rule DH does the litter tray while I'm pregnant but I have done is occasionally when he's been away. Disposable gloves are good as is LOTS of soap!!!
We've also changed the litter to a brilliant clumping litter that doesn't smell at all (Oko Plus I think it is - available at Pets at Home etc) so that helps as well!

I clean the litter trays in my house because my cats don't ever go outside unsupervised so have no opportunity to hunt so can't have toxoplasmosis. Due to the low risk as they are indoor cats I don't wear gloves and just wash my hands with ordinary soap afterwards.

If they were outside cats I think I would still have to do it as my husband isn't always around and my sense of smell is very sensitive at the moment so no way I'd be able to wait for him to come home. I've heard that gloves and a plastic apron are recommended along with hand-washing with antibacterial soap afterwards.

Thank you so much for the advice, it's really appreciated! I physically can't do it myself at the moment anyway now since my morning (all day) sickness has hit with a vengeance. I have no problem with doing it myself if needed, I wash my hands thoroughly afterwards, but will invest in disposable gloves and new litter and a covered litter tray to make it a little more bearable!!