Vet Safety 2025: Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy—What Every Cat Owner Needs to Know 🐱🤰

Toxoplasmosis is a word that sparks fear in many expecting parents. For decades, pregnant women have been warned about cats—and some have even been told to give them up. But is that necessary? In 2025, we now know how to protect both your baby and your cat 🐾👶.

As Dr Duncan Houston, I want to clear up the myths and help you make safe, informed decisions for your family. With simple precautions, you can safely have a cat during pregnancy—and protect your unborn child from Toxoplasma gondii 🧠🧤.

🔬 What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It affects many species—humans, cats, sheep, even insects and earthworms 🦠.

Most Common Hosts:

• 🐱 Cats (the only animal that sheds infectious oocysts)
• 🐖 Pigs and lambs (harbor the tissue stage)
• 👨 Humans (can be infected by either stage)

For most people, infection causes mild or no symptoms. But for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals, it can be serious or life-threatening ⚠️.

👶 Risks to an Unborn Baby

If a pregnant woman gets newly infected with toxoplasmosis, the parasite can cross the placenta and harm the baby:

• 👁️ Retinal inflammation and blindness
• 🧠 Neurological damage (hydrocephalus, microcephaly)
• 👶 Developmental delays or miscarriage in severe cases

The risk depends on when during pregnancy the infection occurs. The earlier the infection, the more serious the potential damage 🕐💔.

💡 Key Fact: Only New Infections Are Dangerous

Once you’ve had toxoplasmosis, your body builds immunity. The risk is only present if a woman is infected for the first time during pregnancy 🧬✅.

That’s why many prenatal panels include toxoplasma antibody testing to determine whether a woman has been previously exposed.

🛑 How Do People Get Toxoplasmosis?

You can become infected in two ways:

1. 🍖 From Tissue Stages (Most Common)

• Eating undercooked pork or lamb
• Handling raw meat and touching your mouth
• Using contaminated cutting boards or utensils
• Drinking raw goat’s milk

2. 💩 From Oocysts in Cat Feces (Less Common)

• Touching soiled litter boxes, then your mouth
• Gardening in contaminated soil
• Eating unwashed vegetables grown in such soil

Fresh cat feces is not infectious right away. Oocysts must sit for 24–48 hours in the environment to become infectious. That’s why litter box cleaning habits are so important 🚽🧼.

😿 Can Cats Make You Sick?

Yes—but under specific conditions:

• 🐾 The cat must be newly infected (usually by hunting or eating raw food)
• 💩 Shedding oocysts occurs for only 5–14 days after infection
• 🧻 Infection comes from feces—not petting the cat or being near it

Cats typically show no symptoms. A cat can be shedding oocysts and appear completely healthy 😼.

🧪 Can I Test My Cat?

Yes, but it may not be helpful. A positive test means prior exposure—not whether the cat is currently shedding oocysts. Still, some owners test their cat for peace of mind 🧬🐱.

🧼 How to Prevent Infection During Pregnancy

🛡️ Around the House:

• 👩‍🍳 Don’t eat undercooked or raw meat (especially lamb and pork)
• 🍴 Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils thoroughly after handling meat
• 🥛 Avoid raw milk and unpasteurized dairy

🐱 Cat-Specific Tips:

• 🧤 Have someone else clean the litter box—or wear gloves and wash hands well
• 🕐 Clean the litter box daily to remove oocysts before they become infectious
• 🚫 Don’t feed raw meat diets to cats
• 🐈 Keep indoor cats indoors to prevent hunting

🌱 Gardening Safety:

• 🧤 Wear gloves when working with soil
• 🧼 Wash vegetables thoroughly

🐶 What About Dogs?

Dogs don’t shed oocysts themselves—but if they eat infected cat feces, they may pass them in their stool for up to 48 hours. Avoid letting dogs near litter boxes and practice the same cleanup precautions 🐕🧹.

📲 Ask A Vet: Your Pregnancy Safety Partner

If you’re pregnant and have a cat—or want to adopt one—talk to a veterinarian at AskAVet.com or the Ask A Vet app. We’ll help you assess risks, test if needed, and provide peace of mind so your pet and pregnancy can coexist safely 📱🐾🤰.

✅ Final Thoughts: You Can Keep Your Cat

In 2025, there is no reason to give up your cat because of pregnancy. With basic hygiene, smart litter box habits, and food safety, you and your baby can stay protected while still enjoying your feline family member 🐱❤️👶.

Stay informed. Stay safe. And stay cuddled—just not in the litter box 😉.