Kitten and pregnancy

[pinkgin8]

My partner thought it would be a good idea to surprise me and my daughter with a kitten (8 weeks old)
I'm 26 weeks pregnant and have just read about cat litter in pregnancy.
Is it dangerous for me to be anywhere near the kitten in general ? He is litter trained so it's only a matter of emptying it when he goes. But I don't want to put my baby at danger if it's something that can endanger the baby really quickly and easily? Has anyone had a kitten whilst pregnant?
If I wore a mask and gloves would it be ok changing litter? Within an hour? If dp wasn't in to do it one time in the day?

I don't think my partner really thought into it properly but it's done now!

I know you can get the same illness from cat litter in unwashed fruit veg and meat, but wasn't sure in thinking how easily it is to get it from cat litter. If I was even in the same room as it and didn't touch it can that cause harm? Sorry if I sound ridiculous!

I have a cat that had a cat litter tray - she's now trained - but up until I was 20 weeks she was still using the tray.

My midwife said ideally get someone else to clean the litter - but if I had to do it then use gloves, wash hands and wear a mask and if possible leave the cat litter tray somewhere that I wouldn't be often; by the back door & have a covered tray if possible

Thank you for your response @PandaBabyJuly

If a cat is litter trained, what is the next step to just get them to go outside? Can I take him out every now and then? I am aware he isn't a dog 😅and probably won't adjust to that very well?

He can't go out until he's neutered.

Has he had a vet check? 8 weeks is a bit too early to leave mum and siblings, plus no decent 'breeder' would allow a kitten to go as a gift, so you need him checked out and properly wormed and de-flead.

Using gloves when you do the tray is fine.

@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn
He has been wormed and de flead up to date
Okay I won't allow him out, incase he runs off. I was thinking more like place him on the grass then bring him straight back in but that itself probably is a stupid idea.

I think he is 8 weeks 6 days to be exact, but even that I guess doesn't make a difference

I was just googling about it more and it does say cats contaminate it IF they eat something that has it eg a bird or mouse
And it can only be transmitted orally, if I touched the litter then my mouth and wasn't using gloves etc. It can't be "inhaled" through the air as such
But the fact he hasn't been outside I can't see him having it anyway?
I've booked him in for the vet next week, and put him on a health plan so his vaccinations and flea treatment will be covered all year round when needs be x

@pinkgin8

I can't remember how old they need to be to be let outside; but they need to be neutered.
Once mine was done with the vets etc I moved the cat litter tray outside and left our back door open all day; sat in the garden and she followed me for the first few days then she went out on her own; she soon realised to go outside ... then overnight left a puppy training pad on the floor where the litter tray use to be; she now goes outside all day and doesn't go indoors overnight.

I am nearly 30 weeks pregnant and Leo is an inside cat.

I empty litter trays with gloves on and a mask (my sense of smell is through the roof at the moment) and i'm fine.

I always wash my hands afterwards as well just as another precaution (even with gloves on).

Cats don't generally wee on the grass . They dig a hole in the soil and pee into it, then cover it.
They won't use the outside for toileting until they're independently going outside. This won't be until about 5-6 months, after you've had them neutered. Before then they're a bit small to be outside (can get chased / attacked by bigger cats or dogs and can also get stuck in small gaps etc.).

You can't take them out to go to the toilet like you would a dog. Once they're going out, they'll start using your neighbours' flowerbeds the garden for the toilet on their own. You don't have to train them to do so.

In terms of the pregnancy risks. Get your partner to change and clean (with pet safe disinfectant) the litter tray. The risk is from faeces so the cat itself isn't a risk unless it's ill. Make sure the litter tray is emptied very regularly (as soon as possible after the kitten has pooped) and cleaned thoroughly daily. This means it's less likely that the cat will step in its own poop. If you have to clean the tray or clear up an accident, wear disposable gloves.

He brought the kitten home, he changes the tray, surely?

Other than that, rubber gloves and normal hygiene - it'll be fine.

Read expecting better by Emily ostler for a great explaination of toxiplasmosis and the risk from cat litter.

If your cat hasn't gone outside and started catching birds and mice, then they don't have toxiplasmosis. The danger will be when they start getting out.

I only ever changed my cat's litter tray once a day and happily let DH do it while pregnant. If that really isn't an option, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.