[key_gal]

I have a cat which I adore. After being pregnant i dont snuggle as much with him nor do I dare to allow him to sleep in my bed anymore. He is completely indoor cat but still worried about the chances.

To make things worse my parents have been having fits because i refused to give him away to be "100% sure". I am even worried that they will try to chuck him out if im not at home when they come to visit. Asian parents are such control freaks when it comes to their precious grandkids being at risk.

Its so lonely to sleep without him... And i know hes upset cos he meows to try to get into my bedroom at night.

[strawberry blond...]

Do you realise the chances of catching anything from him is extremely small and even smaller because he is an indoor cat!
Don't stop giving him cuddles and sleeping with him etc, the poor boy will start feeling depressed. As long as you wash your hands before eating etc you will be fine. I am PG with no4 and had cats throughout all of my pregnancies and still snuggle my 2 cats now in bed every night. I just don't deal with litter trays DH does that.

Please don't get rid of him either Cats and babies/children are brilliant together. You will probably find he won't be interested until your baby is crawling.

[Eirlys]

I agree with strawberry blondes.

Stay away from the kitty litter, and you are very unlikely to catch anything from the cat.

As much as cats dislike change if you do it gradually everything will be fine.

[kerrie23]

Abandon him now and he will associate the abandonment with the baby. Cats do not forget and his frustration will be directed at the baby.

Just stay away from the kitty litter. Chances are, you already have antibodies to Toxo anyway with him being an indoor cat.

[Apageintime]

I agree with PPs you're really very unlikely to catch anything. Let him in your room.

Also are your parent worried about him smothering the baby? Because thats a well debunked myth.

Poor kitty - give him some cuddles, there's nothing better than the sound of purring in the morning.

[Satay chicken]

I adore my cat too OP and I cannot just stop doing what I have always done. Mine still sleeps with me, now more so than before. I'm just very particular about washing my hands now.
I also still scoop his litter, afterall I am only touching the scopper and not poos or wees - DH however bleeches the tray every week now - I won't do that...

Agree with the others, being and indoor cat they are much cleaner than a wonderer...

So, I say - its cuddle Kitty time.....

This post has been edited by Satay chicken: 20/11/2012, 04:02 PM

[missy78]

I am nine months pregnant (sorry, just ended up here from recent threads!)and am still enjoying kitty cuddles. The poor thing fell off the bed last night though when I was tossing and turning though! He sleeps on my stomach and legs - there has been absolutely no effect on baby. DP is in charge of kitty litter duty.

The cat smothering baby thing is a myth. Cats are generally afraid of babies - they make a lot if noise and sudden movements. We are expecting kitty to spend a few days hiding in the cupboard when baby comes home.

Expect your parents to give you a whole lot more "advice"! Just smile and nod. Besides, when you took in this cat, you made a lifetime commitment.

This post has been edited by missy78: 20/11/2012, 04:14 PM

[leJadie]

I was really worried about this too when I first got pregnant. After lots of reading I am feeling much better about it though. I have an indoor only cat, she isn't to snuggly unless she want to be but still sleeps on the foot of our bed and sometimes snuggles in my neck or arms.

I still do the litter, most of the time with gloves on and it gets sprayed down with glen 20 every day or so as well as changed and disinfected weekly with pine-o-clean! I also wash my hands a lot after patting any of my pets.

Poor kitty, I'd give him a cuddle! he sounds like he misses you

[*Spikey*]

Key-gal, it isn't necessary to kick your kitty out of your bed, unless you're planning on co-sleeping, and need the extra room. My cat continued to sleep with me, while DD slept in her cot right next to my bed. Most cats who are 100% indoors don't carry toxoplasmosis (or any parasites or other nasties for that matter), so you are not at risk for that illness. But its a good excuse to have your DH do the litter.

If you're concerned about the cat when your parents come to visit, perhaps try a regime of popping him into a room that they don't go into - a spare room, your room, the laundry? Make it comfortable, and explain that is the place he goes when you don't want him to interact with bub. If they're concerned when you're not there, they can pop him into the laundry as well. I'd go ballistic if any of my family suggested my cat be chucked outdoors - she's 20yo and has never been outside. She wouldn't know what to do with outdoors.

FWIW, my cat (not known for her placid nature - the vet describes her as feisty) sniffed my DD, then proceeding to 'claim' the new human as hers, when she wasn't crying. Its been 7 years now, and they are the best of friends. My cat now has her trained to hand over food and treats - and share her lap. She also accompanies her to her bedroom to supervise her going to bed every night. Its totally adorable.

Congratulations, and I'm sure your future bub will grow up with a loving furry friend.

[Woyapp]

Key_Gal, I know you've had plenty of responses, all of which I agree with, but just a slightly different one which might make you feel even more confident.

I'm around 8 weeks pregnant. My dog picked up toxoplasmosis about 2 years ago (probably from eating cat faces. Charming, I know). He sleeps on the floor next to my bed. I also still have the same cat that he would have caught it off. So I can be fairly confident that they can both pass it on to me. I still play with my dog heaps, he lies on the bed with us. & the cat gets on the bed for pats too sometimes.

I understand the concern, but I figure as long as you and your partner if he touches the cat, are good about hygene. Especially before you eat. Then I think there should be no problem.

I know having a baby is probably the most important thing most women will ever do, but I think it's pointless being so cautious that you can't enjoy life anymore.

Hope it all goes well for you!