Can I keep my cat while I am pregnant?
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
Yes. You do not need to give up your cat. The risk is toxoplasmosis, a parasite that cats can pass in their poo, and the NHS says you cannot catch it from stroking or owning a cat. Ask someone else to clean the litter tray daily, feed your cat cooked or commercial food, and avoid raw meat yourself.
CDC also advises pregnant women not to adopt or handle stray cats, especially kittens, and not to get a new cat during pregnancy. If you are worried, have symptoms, or have been in contact with cat poo, talk to your doctor or midwife: testing and any treatment are their decision.
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Why do pregnant women worry about cats?
Because of toxoplasmosis, a parasite infection that can harm an unborn baby.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. CDC says most people with healthy immune systems who are infected have no symptoms, and some have flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. The concern in pregnancy is the baby: CDC lists infants born to mothers newly infected during or just before pregnancy among those at risk of severe disease, and the NHS says infection in pregnancy can cause miscarriage and serious problems if it passes to the baby.
Cats are the parasite's main host. Cornell Feline Health Center explains that a cat is infected by eating infected prey or raw meat, then sheds the parasite's eggs in its poo for around 10 to 14 days. The eggs take one to five days, depending on conditions, to become infectious, so fresh poo is not yet a risk. That is why cleaning the litter tray every day matters.
Do I have to give my cat away?
You may have read
Doctors say pregnant women must give up their cats.
Myth
What the sources say
Cornell notes that pregnant women were once advised to avoid cats, but CDC now advises that this is not necessary. Cornell Feline Health Center
You may have read
You can catch it by stroking or cuddling a cat.
Myth
What the sources say
The NHS says you cannot catch toxoplasmosis from stroking a cat or owning one as a pet. NHS
You may have read
Cats are the main way people get infected.
Myth
What the sources say
Cornell says people are much more likely to be infected by eating raw meat than by handling cat poo, and CDC calls contaminated food a common route. Cornell Feline Health Center
You may have read
An indoor cat on home food can still bring it in daily.
Myth
What the sources say
A cat infected through prey or raw meat sheds the eggs for around 10 to 14 days. An indoor cat fed cooked or commercial food has little chance to pick it up. Cornell Feline Health Center
What precautions should I take with my cat?
From CDC's advice for pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, and the NHS.
- If possible, have someone else change the cat litter. If no one else can, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Change the litter every day, because the parasite is not infectious until one to five days after it is shed. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Feed your cat commercially prepared dry or wet food, or well-cooked home food, never raw or undercooked meat. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Keep your cat indoors so it does not hunt other animals. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Do not adopt or handle stray cats, especially kittens, and do not get a new cat while you are pregnant. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Wear gloves when gardening or touching soil or sand that cats may have used, including balcony pots, and wash your hands afterwards. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What about food, which matters even more?
CDC calls contaminated food a common route. These steps protect you whether or not you have a cat.
Do
- Cook meat thoroughly, especially lamb, pork and venison, and avoid cured meats such as salami. NHS
- Wash fruit and vegetables under running water, including sabzi from the market and anything from a kitchen garden. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Wash knives, chopping boards and counters with hot soapy water after preparing raw meat. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Drink safe, treated water. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Don’t
- Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, or raw shellfish. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Do not drink unpasteurised goat's milk. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Do not feed your cat raw or undercooked meat. NHS
What if I feed community cats or foster kittens?
If you feed community cats in your building or colony
Ask someone else to do the feeding for now, or wear gloves and avoid touching the cats and the spots where they toilet. CDC advises pregnant women not to handle stray cats. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
If you foster or have just found kittens
Hand them on to another carer or a rescue group for the pregnancy. CDC specifically names stray kittens. Found a Kitten on the Street? What to Do First US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
If you were thinking of getting a cat
Wait until after the baby is born. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
If you have symptoms, or have handled cat poo without gloves and are worried
Talk to your doctor or midwife. The NHS advises an urgent appointment if you are pregnant and have symptoms. NHS
Should my cat see a vet?
CDC suggests talking to your vet if you have questions about your cat's risk of toxoplasmosis. A routine check before the baby arrives is also a good time to bring vaccinations, deworming and flea prevention up to date, and to plan who will look after the cat in the weeks around the birth.
If you will be in hospital, or simply need someone to handle the litter tray and feeding for a while, a cat sitter who visits your home keeps the cat in familiar surroundings. Petym is not taking bookings yet; when it opens in your city, a free meet and greet comes before any booking.
Going away soon? Tell us your dates.
A checked local sitter feeds, walks and keeps your pet company at home, follows your care sheet to the letter and sends a photo every day. Petym is opening city by city: send your dates and we will tell you when a sitter can take them.
- Meet your sitter first, free
- PAN-checked, first-aid trained
- A photo every day
- Pay through Petym, never cash
Questions owners ask
Can I clean the litter box while pregnant?
- Ask someone else to if you can. CDC advises pregnant women to have someone else change the litter; if no one else can, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Change it daily, because the parasite takes one to five days to become infectious.
Can I catch toxoplasmosis by touching my cat?
- No. The NHS says you cannot catch toxoplasmosis from stroking a cat or owning one as a pet. The risk comes from cat poo, contaminated soil and, most commonly according to Cornell and CDC, raw or undercooked meat and unwashed food.
Should I get my cat tested for toxoplasmosis?
- Ask your vet. CDC suggests talking to your vet about your cat's risk. A cat sheds the parasite's eggs for only about 10 to 14 days after first infection, so an indoor cat fed cooked or commercial food is low risk. Your own testing is your doctor's decision.
Is it safe to feed street cats while pregnant?
- It is better to hand the job to someone else for now. CDC advises pregnant women not to adopt or handle stray cats, especially kittens. If you must, wear gloves, do not touch the cats or where they toilet, and wash your hands well.
Do I need to keep up these precautions after the birth?
- The litter rules protect anyone in the home, so daily cleaning, gloves and hand washing stay sensible habits. CDC's extra advice is aimed at pregnant women and people with weakened immunity. Ask your doctor what applies to you after the birth, and your vet about keeping your cat healthy.
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Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About toxoplasmosis (opens in a new tab)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Preventing toxoplasmosis (opens in a new tab)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: People at increased risk for toxoplasmosis (opens in a new tab)
- NHS: Toxoplasmosis (page last reviewed 25 August 2023) (opens in a new tab)
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Toxoplasmosis in cats (opens in a new tab)