Any cat owners?

StephLouise35

Hi, just seeing how many people currently have cats and wondering..

1. If any of you asked for a blood examination of toxoplomasis (think that's how you spell it)

2. If you are worried about the cat around your baby, after birth.

karaszoo1

We have 2 cats,an older calm angel of a siamese and a 6 mo old hellion mutt cat....
My OB does the toxo test because I am a vet tech and groomer so I have daily exposure to cats and more than the average pregnant momma. It's never been an issue .I glove and scrub to do the cat box at home (but not at work to reduce chances ) and will continue to do so. I'm not sure if people realize you could just as easily get toxo from gardening in your backyard.
Not worried about the cats around any babies at all ever.Roman the siamese will sleep in the 16 mo olds crib with him if I let him but we don't .and they have tons of patience with him tho it has taken the old guy 14 mos or so to come out when the baby is up so we anticipate him hiding again when new baby is born and having to readjust .
Are you are referring to the old wives tale about cats suffocating babies ,stealing their breath etc lol

AL_TwinCities

We have 2 cats, but they are indoor only so their chances of having toxo are lower. DH has been changing the litter since we found out I am pregnant. We won't be having them tested unless our doctor asks for it.

Not concerned about them around the LO. We will probably keep the door to LOs nursery closed so the kitties don't sleep in the crib with baby but otherwise don't feel overly concerned about anything.

cait5413

Dh is changing the litter. Otherwise, I am not concerned. We just plan to keep the cat out of baby's room. My only concern is that I am allergic to cats, and on allergy meds, so I am not sure what we will do if baby is allergic. Not stressing about it, though. 

Pic of Sir Lance attached!

StephLouise35

Luna & Lyra (in that order) my two cats @cait5413

DragonMom2

They say if you have cats before your pregnant then your already exposed to toxoplasmosis, most of the time your body has already built up antibodies to it. I have a cat but I'm lucky he goes outside to potty. He is 6 1/2 and great with kids.

JEMN

We have two. DH is in charge of litter but that's it for now. One of our cats is a bit of a biter- he attack my legs with full on teeth and claws but never DH's. I have several scars to show for it. So we might have to do some reading/research on ways to stop that or else he just won't be allowed near baby.

mumblefrog86

We had 2 when we were having my daughter. Never got them tested just had Dh clean the litter. Bonus also told him I couldn't when I was BF haha. We had to put one down for medical reason. My other cat has just started coming around to my DD took 15 months. They will sit and cuddle now it is so cute.

Xath

We just finished a long-term foster of a cat, and are considering fostering more.  Once the stick was positive, my H took on full-time litter duty.  I wouldn't be too worried about your cats threatening your baby, unless your cats already exhibit behavior problems.  My childhood cat tried to suffocate my sister when she was a baby, but that cat was a feral rescue and was also legitimately crazy.  

There are lots of resources out there for socializing pets to new babies.  I'd advise not letting the cat into the baby's room when he/she is in there alone, but you otherwise shouldn't have much to worry about.

greendogs1993

We have 2 cats and they are great with my son. He absolutely loves our big orange one, and the cat is very patient with all his hugs and kisses. My husband changes the litter just in case but we have never had to do any testing. We set up the bassinet next to our bed and stayed in the room for the cats to explore and sniff. When they jumped in we corrected the behavior by removing them or shooing them away. After a few tries they understood it is off limits. They don't try to get in his crib at all but they do enjoy watching him play in his room from atop his dresser. Just prep the cats before the baby arrives and you won't have to deal with training your cats while sleep deprived and soaked in spit-up.

StephLouise35

Thanks for the advice!! @greendogs1993

ramoseecology

1. If any of you asked for a blood examination of toxoplomasis (think that's how you spell it)

Nope. I have had cats forever. DH cleans the litter boxs. 

2. If you are worried about the cat around your baby, after birth.

I'll be watching them closely and figuring out things closer to the birth (keeping the cat away from them sleeping, etc.). 

Stephanie7693

My daughter is on cat box duty, and I plan to just keep the bedroom door shut when the baby is sleeping. That's the only time the cat would go near the baby.
With my son we had my inlaws take the cat for a couple weeks since I slept in the living room with my son those first few weeks, but now they have a cat and can't watch ours, but I'm not too worried now.