Just found out I am 5 weeks pregnant but I have promised to cat sit for my best fd

[healthywishes]

Hello all, just have confirmed that I am 5 weeks pregnant and excited to join this forum! I have always been reading post on trying to conceive and this time I have to make my first post due to my worries:

I was told that it is best not to take in new cat if you are pregnant. I have a cat of my own for 2 years so its not a problem but I have just promised my best friend to help her look after her two cats by taking them home to stay for a month during her Dec vacation.

I don't know what to do because:

1. She loves her cats and doesn't want to send them to cat hotel (which I understand as she always helped me look after my cat when i am not in the country). she thinks they will feel lonely and neglected if staying in a cat hotel. She is a true cat lover.

2. She has been trying to conceive for years. This time she is on vacation for a month to seek IVF treatment in another country.

I don't really know how to tell her this news cause it means she has to go through all the trouble to look for people who can kindly take in her new cats.

Another alternative is my husband take in her cats to our home but I will go to live in a hotel near by for a month. that would cost a lot of money and hassle i am sure...

What would you do if you are me? Thanks!

 

[susan36]

hey i wouldnt worry abt thhe cats . i have a cat and i asked my gp abt it and he said not to go near the litter tray and wear slippers or socks around the house . he said basicly to get toximaplosis id need to sit and eat it . so just be careful and dont touch the trays and ou will be fine

 

[AngelUK]

I am not sure this is correct but I think that if you have a cat yourself you probably aren't in much danger. The reason why you should be wary of cat (or rather their poop) is cause of toxoplasmosis which they can transmit. I had it when I was a teenager but I most likely got it from raw meat (steak tartar) as we had a cat then since I was small. At least that is what I was told. Maybe you could talk to your doctor and see if there is a scan available to find out if you already had the illness? It is not always apparent while you do have it and it is very seldom dangerous as long as you are not pregnant.

 

[Mindy_mini]

The risk with cats is toxoplasmosis

If you already have a cat the chances are you will have built up immunity so you should be fine. Just get dp to deal with the litter tray

 

[Mid.night]

Hi,

I'm sure you will be fine, I think it's just the risk of toximaplosis with cats rather than how long you have had them. I'm sure you can sweet talk your husband into cleaning all the litter trays for you

 

[bambib]

Hey,

Id asked my midwife about this because not only have i a cat but my mum has 3 and my dad has 2 including a new one, and she said they're absolutely fine as long as you wear gloves when emptying litter trays and wash your hands throughly afterwards (as if you wouldnt do that already!). Also, as everyone else has said, if you've had cats yourself the chances are very good that you have already had toxoplasmosis and are therefore immune.

 

[healthywishes]

Thank you every lovely mum here.

 

[babybaillie]

As long as you wear gloves when dealing with the litter tray and just make sure you wash your hands properly you would be fine

 

[Sew_Sweet]

I bought a bunch of disposable gloves from the dollar store to wear when I am changing the litter box - then I just throw the gloves away with the litter and wash really well afterwards. I'd say the risk would be VERY minimal if you're careful. Also as a precaution maybe keep kitty out of the bedroom so it isn't sleeping on your pillow as mine likes to do ick!

 

[welshgirl21]

I think you'll be ok as you have a cat yourself, but also her cat should be up to date with it's vaccines and everything so it should be ok.

xx

 

[mrsthomas623]

Just echoing everyone else, just make DH clean the litter (or by gloves and do it yourself but... who wants to do that )