When you have a cat, pregnancy presents some challenges. However, if you have a little forethought and preparation, you can get beyond all of them and still love your pet.
After all, cats, expectant women, and young children have all coexisted peacefully for a very long time. If you’re wondering, it’s not true that cats like to suffocate babies. In actuality, cats like to snuggle up to warm bodies and smell milk on a baby’s breath. More details are provided below to help allay your concerns.
Toxoplasmosis worries with cat litter
The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis could infect your cat. A cat may contract it if it consumes infected prey, raw or undercooked meat, or comes in contact with contaminated soil. Given that toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in children, pregnant women may believe that they should get rid of their cats.
It’s important to understand the illness. You might even already be toxoplasmosis-positive. This is because the parasite can survive on unclean food or in undercooked or raw meat. However, you might naturally already be immune to the parasite.
Limit your number of changes.
As much as you can, maintain your cat’s routine. A pregnant lady won’t transmit it to her unborn child as a result. Your doctor can run a test to check if you fall into this category. If so, you need not worry about contracting it while pregnant.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises these extra precautions to help further protect you against contracting this disease:
- Maintain your kitty inside.
- Maintaining the litter box shouldn’t be done while you are expecting.
- Steer clear of meat that is raw or underdone.
- Every surface and piece of equipment that comes into contact with raw meat should be cleaned.
- If you plan to garden or handle soil, wear gloves (the parasite lives in the dirt) (the parasite lives in the dirt).
If You Have to Replace the Litter
If you must handle the trash, adopt the following safety measures. Each time the litter box is used, clean it. Only one to five days after being shed in the cat’s feces, the parasite becomes contagious. There is less risk if you scoop the litter box right away after your cat uses it. But always use disposable gloves, and wash your hands well after using them.
Get Your Cat Ready for Your New Baby
A baby is an intrusive, noisy, and attention-grabbing object in your cat’s eyes. Cats and babies can get along with some preparation. By implementing the adjustment gradually, you can lessen the impact on your cat.
- Before you even bring your newborn home, get your cat adjusted to baby scents. Allow your cat to sniff you while giving it praise and goodies as you wear child-safe lotions and powders. Your dog’s favorable connections with the novel smells will be facilitated by the approach.
- Play a recording of a baby weeping to your cat. Utilizing constructive reinforcement and prizes, begin at a modest volume and gradually increase the volume and time.
- Invite a friend or family member to visit with their infant at your house. While you pet your cat and allow the infant to sit on your lap, you should also compliment your pet.
- Allow your cat to explore the brand-new nursery. Your cat will benefit from feeling like a member of the family.
Safeguard the infant’s mattress.
Make the bassinet or crib uninviting for your cat by placing items on the mattress that repel your pet before the baby is even born. Instead, enlist the support of family and friends to make your cat feel like a cherished member of the household. Humans with relatively robust immune systems keep the parasites latent, providing lifetime immunity. A cat has less stress and avoids a variety of issues when their schedule is predictable. To ensure that your cat is fed, combed, and entertained as usual, enlist the assistance of others. However, refrain from overdoing it by lavishing your cat with extra, compensatory care before the baby is born. Once your baby comes home, it will be impossible to maintain your high level of focus. Put several coin-filled containers with the nubby side up, add a small rug protector, or use netting to cover the bed. Everyone in your home can contribute to the security, happiness, and harmonious coexistence of your baby and cat.
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