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November 2015 Moms
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Cat litter delema

maura+cmaura+c member
in November 2015 Moms
I know there have been a few threads about this, but they don't answer my question when I did the search and read threw the threads.

My husband has really been slacking on this household duty and my home is beginning to smell like a litter box. I realize we are not suppose to clean the litter/box while pregnant, but was wondering if it would be ok if I did. I would be using protective gear like wearing pants, long sleeves, gloves and a mask to avoid any litter touching me or inhaling it to get the job done? Thanks for your input ladies
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Re: Cat litter delema

  • VexyMommyVexyMommy member
    I think as long as you're wearing disposable gloves it will be fine. 
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  • modanz1modanz1 member
    Can you not just tell your husband to do it?  I would hope that would be the one chore he would be willing to do since it could cause complications.  If he really won't, I would add a thorough scrub down (after emptying) to your list of protective gear.
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  • knolliepollieknolliepollie member
    edited June 2015
    Well, does your cat go outside? Your cat can only transmit toxoplasmosis if it eats something outside that has it. Then it will shed in their poop for two weeks. So if your cat is indoor the risk is very low. I own a pet sitting company and still scoop boxes for indoor cats only, including my own. Just wear gloves and wash your hands really well.

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  • knolliepollieknolliepollie member
    I want to also add that you have a greater chance getting it gardening outside since you can encounter buried feral cat poop! After doing research on it at the beginning of my pregnancy I was a bit confused why it's wide known to swear off litter boxes but not digging in dirt lol :)

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  • athomas8369athomas8369 member
    I have to do the same. My bf remembers like half the time....plus I work at a boarding place for dogs and cats. I cleans my hands well after. My dr said most likely being around cats for so long I am immune but still take precautions. A gross litter box is impossible to sit at home with!
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  • Ceridwen77Ceridwen77 member
    edited June 2015
    knolliepollie said:

    I want to also add that you have a greater chance getting it gardening outside since you can encounter buried feral cat poop! After doing research on it at the beginning of my pregnancy I was a bit confused why it's wide known to swear off litter boxes but not digging in dirt lol :)

    My backyard is cat central (I have 2 cats and there are 5 neighborhood cats that visit throughout the day). I wear rubber gloves under my gardening gloves when I'm outside for an extra layer of protection. Also as much as I love gardening and fresh fruits & veggies, I refuse to plant a veggie garden because of our feline friends. I'm looking into getting an enclosed space setup but that's not happening this year :)
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  • rox7777rox7777 member
    I cleaned the cat box the entire nine months I was pregnant with my first and I've cleaned it this entire pregnancy thus far. My cat is strictly indoors and has never been around other animals so I just scrub my hands with hot water and soap afterwards.
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  • lwentlandlwentland member
    No specific advice here but just wanted to say I feel your pain. I used to do it every other day (2 cats) and once hubby took over it happens once every other week or once a week if I'm lucky. I'd bite the bullet and do it myself if the smell didn't make me gag and vomit. Recently bought a "self cleaning" litter box but it still needs to be emptied.
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  • lovearoolovearoo member
    knolliepollie said:

    Well, does your cat go outside? Your cat can only transmit toxoplasmosis if it eats something outside that has it. Then it will shed in their poop for two weeks. So if your cat is indoor the risk is very low. I own a pet sitting company and still scoop boxes for indoor cats only, including my own. Just wear gloves and wash your hands really well.

    This. Exactly.
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  • knolliepollieknolliepollie member
    edited June 2015
    lwentland said:

    No specific advice here but just wanted to say I feel your pain. I used to do it every other day (2 cats) and once hubby took over it happens once every other week or once a week if I'm lucky. I'd bite the bullet and do it myself if the smell didn't make me gag and vomit. Recently bought a "self cleaning" litter box but it still needs to be emptied.

    Oh gosh! If we don't scoop daily our male cat Archie will poop on the floor outside of his box. He's so picky! Good motivation for daily scooping though.


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  • maura+cmaura+c member
    I will go ahead and do it after your advice because my hubby said he would get to it until this weekend and I'm not waiting any longer! Also, Yes she an indoor cat, so won't worry. I will just wear gloves to take a precaution. That was really great info thanks ladies!
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  • VexyMommyVexyMommy member
    lwentland said:
    No specific advice here but just wanted to say I feel your pain. I used to do it every other day (2 cats) and once hubby took over it happens once every other week or once a week if I'm lucky. I'd bite the bullet and do it myself if the smell didn't make me gag and vomit. Recently bought a "self cleaning" litter box but it still needs to be emptied.
    Yikes!  We have 2 indoor cats and it's my 9yr olds job to clean the litter.  It's done 1 - 2 times a day.  Every once in a while we skip a day if we have after school activities or lots of homework.

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  • MargaretC5MargaretC5 member
    My doc tested me for toxoplasmosis before I got pregnant and I did not have the antibodies for it, so I never had it. I have had cats my whole life and I have volunteered at an animal shelter for 10 years. If I have gone this long without getting it without taking any special precautions I figure my chances of getting it now are pretty slim especially since I am being extra careful about it now.
    So if you are aware and careful go ahead and clean it.
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  • nmwheel1nmwheel1 member
    I scoop the cat litter here I just make sure to wash my hands very well afterwards!
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  • queenwogqueenwog member
    I have two cats, indoor-only their whole lives (they were born in my closet), and I've still been scooping the litter. I just make sure I take precautions, wash well, etc. There have only been three years of my entire life that I haven't had cats around all the time and I've never had a problem.
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  • queenwogqueenwog member
    PS don't eat the Kitty Roca or lick the inside of the box and you should be fine.
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  • Ceridwen77Ceridwen77 member
    queenwog said:

    PS don't eat the Kitty Roca or lick the inside of the box and you should be fine.

    I don't think I can ever eat almond roca again.
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  • DrMommaDVMDrMommaDVM member
    My husband slacks off on cat litter duty as well and I just do it. Honestly the risk is extremely low. If you scoop boxes at least every 24 hours theoretically the toxoplasmosis if it is there will not have had time to become infective. Also, even if it was it would have to get into your mouth. So yeah, don't eat the cat litter do wash your hands.
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  • TacoSarahTacoSarah member
    maura+c said:
    I would be using protective gear like wearing pants, long sleeves, gloves and a mask to avoid any litter touching me or inhaling it to get the job done? Thanks for your input ladies
    I don't mean to make light of your question, but I now have a picture in my mind of you wearing a Breaking Bad style hazmat suit to clean the litter box.
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