Why pregnant women should not pet cats: distinguish between signs and real danger

Groundless speculation

There are beliefs about pregnant women and cats that can often be heard from older people:

A pregnant woman should not pet a cat, otherwise the baby will be born with hair all over its body.
You cannot pick up an animal, much less play with it - with such actions the expectant mother will make many enemies for the child.
Tripping over or kicking a cat will lead to a difficult birth.
Stroking a cat will lead to the birth of a child with stubble. The animal's fur is covered with a special substance that protects it from the negative influence of the external environment. This substance, if you stroke a cat, is absorbed into the mother’s skin, and then through the placental barrier enters the child’s body. That's why children are born with stubble. Then the child will have to be treated by healers and egged out.
If you look into a cat's eyes, it will steal the child's soul.

All of them are absurd to say the least, and in addition, have no scientific basis.

And grandma said...

As soon as a woman announces that she is expecting a child, she is bombarded with hundreds of instructions, teachings and advice. Particularly pleasing are arguments in the manner of: “my grandmother did it, my mother did it, I did it, and everything was fine.” As for pets, relatives usually categorically state that a four-legged animal and an unborn child should not live in the same house. If your family has different laws, rejoice, but do not forget about precautions.

So, drum roll, signs, superstitions and scares associated with cats:

A pregnant woman should not pet a cat because the baby will be born hairy - no comment.

The expectant mother should not play with the cat or pick it up, otherwise she will make enemies of the child ... also without comment, if the “great minds” did not mean street cats affected by worms.

A woman should not trip over the cat, kick it or stroke it with her feet, otherwise there will be complications during childbirth. There is really no need to trip over your pet, as this will harm the pet. You shouldn't kick a cat either... but as for stroking it - many pregnant women praise their purrs because they settle down on their legs, which eliminates the feeling of heaviness.

A tricolor cat protects pregnancy - if you sincerely believe in omens, protect your “turtle” with all your might. It is believed that if a calico cat leaves home pregnant, the child will not survive. According to the same sign, the tricolor cannot be driven away if it came and asked to come into the house.

A cat can strangle a newborn baby out of jealousy - such cases have occurred, but they did not happen because of jealousy, but because the cat tried to warm the child and lay on him. For safety reasons, the pet should be isolated from the baby during sleep until the child learns to roll over confidently.

This is interesting! According to a very ancient superstition, in order for a baby to sleep well and soundly, you need to first put a cat in his cradle.

There is also an opposite sign - a pregnant woman should shelter an abandoned kitten or cat. It is especially important that the animal is street, that is, not purchased, otherwise the superstition will not “work.” A similar sign suggests that if a family cannot have a child for a long time, they need to shelter a street kitten or puppy. The logic is very simple, the expectant mother is worried about what “is not working out” and is in a state of stress. The body, understanding the danger of stress, does not want to “accept a new life” and everything spins like a wheel. An obvious example is childless couples who took a baby from an orphanage, and after a short period of time found out that they themselves were expecting a child.

Important! If you decide to “use” your pregnancy in order to have a long-awaited kitten, you need to understand that a street animal may be unhealthy or infected with parasites. Act smart!

What do women think?

According to some expectant mothers, having a cat in the house and contact with it, on the contrary, has a very good effect on health:

Stroking and close contact with animals - in most cases, many women note that this has a positive, calming and relaxing effect on them.
Relief from fatigue and swelling. Purrs help cope with swelling well, but this property is inherent mainly in tricolor cats. They lie on the feet of expectant mothers, relieving pain and heaviness that occurs at the end of the day due to severe swelling.

Can a cat feel its owner's pregnancy?

Some pregnant women note that cats change their behavior, as if they feel that their owner is expecting a child. The change in habits can be explained quite simply - hormonal changes occur in the body of the expectant mother, which causes the smell of her body to change.

Women note that cats strive to lie down on their growing belly or lean against it, as if they sense pregnancy. The fact is that in the abdomen and chest the temperature rises slightly, so the pet settles down near a warm place. For this reason, cats are also placed on a sore, inflamed area.

The reaction may be the opposite. The cat begins to be aggressive towards its owner, hissing, and attacking. This behavior is typical of wayward and aggressive pets who are accustomed to receiving a lot of attention. With the onset of pregnancy, a woman plays less with the animal, she has many other worries, so the cat perceives the growing belly as its rival.

So, do cats sense their owner’s pregnancy, or is this another myth? Most often, cats do not react to pregnancy in any way. They do not have a special sense, but the changing lifestyle of the owner affects the cat’s behavior.

Good luck beliefs for pregnant women

Despite the fact that most signs with cats for pregnant women are negative, there are a few very good ones:

It is recommended for a pregnant woman to get a kitten, and it must be taken from the street or a shelter. Then there will be good luck and happiness in a family with a newborn child.
A stray animal should also be taken home if a married couple cannot conceive a child for a long time.

Such good signs have a completely logical justification. During pregnancy, a woman is stressed. She worries about the birth and her baby, and when she gets a kitten, her attention switches to caring for the pet. In addition, gentle purring has a very calming effect.

But before you take a kitten from the street during pregnancy, you need to weigh all the risks. Such an animal will have to undergo a thorough examination by a veterinarian and appropriate treatment for the presence of parasites and infectious diseases.

Cats and pregnancy: myths and reality

For many years, a person and a cat can live in the same house without disturbing each other. A person feeds a cat, combs tangles out of its fur, monitors its health and takes care of it in every possible way. In turn, the cat pleases the owner with cozy purring, entertains with games and demonstrates its affection with its entire appearance. People get cats as companions, thereby brightening up their loneliness and creating comfort in their home. Kittens are often given to children so that children learn to take care of animals and take responsibility for another living creature from an early age.

Everything changes when a woman finds out about her pregnancy. Many expectant mothers ask a difficult question: is it possible to leave a cat in the house where the baby will soon appear? What to do with a pet to which all family members have already become attached? Some are trying to place the animal in good hands, others even put the cat outside, fearing for the health of their unborn baby. Is this tactic justified? What are expectant mothers afraid of?

Danger No. 1. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by special parasites - toxoplasma. Toxoplasma grows in the intestines of many animals, but is most often found in the digestive tract of domestic cats. Toxoplasma gondii belongs to the group of TORCH infections. All pregnant women are required to undergo testing for toxoplasma when registering during pregnancy.

According to statistics, up to 95% of the world's population are carriers of toxoplasma. The disease is usually asymptomatic. In rare cases, mild fever, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes may occur.

Toxoplasma is not dangerous for a healthy adult. People who have had the disease do not experience any discomfort in later life. Complications after the disease practically do not occur. A sick person is not contagious. Toxoplasmosis is not transmitted from person to person.

Toxoplasmosis poses a serious danger only to the fetus in the mother's womb. Infection in the first trimester of pregnancy leads to the development of serious defects:

brain pathology (anencephaly, microcephaly);
pathology of the eyeballs (anophthalmia, etc.);
congenital malformations of internal organs;
hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid between the meninges).

Toxoplasma infection can also cause spontaneous miscarriage up to 12 weeks.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, toxoplasmosis leads to the following complications:

damage to internal organs with the development of their functional failure;
damage to the nervous system;
thrombocytopenia;
anemia.

Infection with toxoplasma in the third trimester of pregnancy leads to the development of congenital toxoplasmosis, accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms:

fever;
hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen);
skin rash;
convulsions.

Congenital toxoplasmosis rarely ends favorably for the fetus. In most cases, newborns experience delayed physical and mental development of varying degrees of severity. Paralysis and paresis may occur, and severe convulsive syndrome may develop. Premature birth and stillbirth cannot be ruled out.

Knowing what consequences arise after suffering toxoplasmosis, many pregnant women try to get rid of their pet as quickly as possible. But is the danger really that great? Infectious disease experts say: the risk of developing the disease exists only in women who encounter toxoplasmosis for the first time in their lives during real pregnancy. In this case, the fetus becomes infected and serious defects and conditions develop, including those incompatible with life.

According to statistics, most women encounter toxoplasma long before pregnancy. Many expectant mothers, even in childhood or adolescence, actively come into contact with domestic or street cats, thereby providing themselves with immunity against a dangerous disease. By the time they conceive a child, up to 95% of all women have already had experience with toxoplasma. Protective antibodies circulate in their blood, helping the body cope with the infection and protect the baby from the possible consequences of this disease.

How do you know if Toxoplasma is dangerous for a pregnant woman? Donate blood to test for antibodies to the parasite. The simplest immunological methods (ELISA and RNIF) help to accurately determine whether the expectant mother has antibodies to Toxoplasma in her body. Based on the results of the examination, two types of antibodies are detected:

IgM – a sign of a fresh infection;
IgG is a sign of long-standing infection and the presence of protective antibodies.

As a result, four groups of women are identified:

There are no IgM and IgG in the blood. High risk of infection. It is recommended to avoid contact with cats during pregnancy.
There is IgM in the blood, but no IgG. The infection has occurred recently and there is a risk of infection of the fetus. It is necessary to contact an infectious disease specialist and undergo a course of therapy.
There are IgM and IgG in the blood. The infection occurred recently, but protective antibodies have already developed. The risk of fetal infection remains. It is necessary to contact an infectious disease specialist.
There is no IgM in the blood, but there is IgG. The infection occurred before pregnancy. The body has protective antibodies. There is no danger to the fetus. It is possible to have contact with cats during pregnancy.

In order to avoid possible infection when interacting with cats, a pregnant woman must adhere to the following rules:

You should not have a cat while pregnant. This rule is especially relevant for seronegative women whose blood lacks protective antibodies against toxoplasma.
When caring for your pet, you must use thick protective gloves. It is best to entrust cleaning the cat's litter box to other family members.
You should not let your cat sleep in your bed (and especially on your pillow).
You shouldn't kiss your pet, no matter how much you want to.
Do not feed domestic cats raw meat. Buy only specialized food to feed your pets.
Domestic cats should not be allowed outside.
If you suspect toxoplasmosis, you must take your cat to the veterinarian. It is a good idea to have your cat checked before pregnancy occurs. You can get tested for toxoplasmosis at a veterinary clinic.

Pregnant women who have had a cat in their home for a long time should not be afraid of toxoplasmosis. Most likely, the infection has already occurred, specific antibodies have been developed, and by the time the child is conceived, the expectant mother’s body is reliably protected from a dangerous infection. A pet that lives indoors and does not go outside is unlikely to cause the development of toxoplasmosis.

Problem #2. Allergy

There is an opinion that a cat in the house contributes to the development of allergies in a pregnant woman and her baby. In fact, it all depends on the individual sensitivity of the expectant mother. Some women actually experience an allergy to pet hair for the first time in their lives during pregnancy. This condition is manifested by the following symptoms:

skin itching or rash;
sneezing;
lacrimation;
dry cough.

If such symptoms appear, you can temporarily isolate the cat (in a separate room or another apartment). If after 7-10 days all manifestations of allergy disappear, we can assume the development of an individual reaction specifically to pet hair. In this case, you will have to get rid of the cat during pregnancy. Perhaps after the birth of the child the situation will normalize and the pet will be able to return to the family. In some cases, acquired allergies remain for life.

Is a cat dangerous for the fetus and newborn? The likelihood of developing an undesirable reaction increases in those children whose parents themselves suffer from some type of allergy. It is impossible to predict in advance whether your baby will be allergic to pet fur.

How to reduce the risk of developing an allergy to cat fur in pregnant women?

Regularly ventilate all rooms in the house.
Carry out wet cleaning in all rooms daily.
Install a humidifier.
Don't let your cat sleep in your bed.
Keep your cat away from the food preparation area in the kitchen.
Remove all carpets, stuffed animals, and other potential dust collectors from your home. Wool lingers on carpets and toys for a long time, which can trigger an allergy attack in a pregnant woman and newborn child.
Brush your furry pets regularly.
Wash your hands after handling your cat.

Problem #3. Aggressive cat behavior

Many expectant mothers wonder: will a pet harm a newborn baby? It is known that after the birth of a child, the behavior of even the most friendly cats changes. What causes such changes?

Jealousy. A small child completely captures the attention of the owners, and there is simply no time left to communicate with the cat.
Fear. A cat may be frightened by the appearance of a restless and constantly screaming baby in the house.
Curiosity. The cat is interested in what is happening in its familiar space - and that is why it climbs into a crib, takes a chaise longue or a stroller.

What to do in such a situation?

Try to pay enough attention to the cat during pregnancy and after the birth of the child.
Do not allow your pet to sleep in your bed or climb into a crib or stroller. Gently point out to your cat that this behavior is unacceptable.
Provide a special bed for your cat or build a shelter from scrap materials.
Don't yell at the cat, don't hit the animal - don't provoke a conflict.
Allow your cat to gently sniff the new family member. Your pet should get to know the baby, and it is better that this happens under your control.

Mysticism or reason

Cats are creatures that are credited with mystical abilities, and pregnant women, unfortunately, are too impressionable, so they often believe in various stupid superstitions. Many women try to get rid of a pet during pregnancy, but in vain.

No superstitions have anything to do with reality. But there are medical reasons why you need to limit contact with cats or take all preventive measures to protect yourself from serious diseases, and with them from very serious consequences.

The main reasons for the ban

All the reasons why pregnant women should not pet cats can be divided into two groups - medical and mystical. Doctors may prohibit the expectant mother from communicating with cats in the following situations:

the woman does not have antibodies to toxoplasmosis;
there is a suspicion of worms in the cat;
the cat has bald spots on its skin or other signs of illness;
stray animal.

As for mysticism, everything is more complicated. A cat is a mysterious creature and is often credited with connections with otherworldly forces, and playing with it can promise trouble for the expectant mother and baby.

Is it possible to clean a cat's litter box?

The cat litter box is a breeding ground for infection and the cause of many illnesses, no matter how trivial it may sound. It should be cleaned only with gloves, and ideally, delegate this task to someone from the household.

To avoid becoming infected with toxoplasmosis, you need to have time to remove feces before the oocysts (i.e., cysts that have multiplied in the cat’s intestines) mature, i.e., within several hours.

It is more difficult to protect against worms, but you can do the following: feed the cat only commercial food, do not allow it outside, and carry out anthelmintic prophylaxis once every six months.

Pregnancy, cats and signs

There are many folk signs associated with the presence of a cat in a pregnant woman’s house. Many of them are very real and practical recommendations that are useful for every expectant mother.

Sign No. 1. A pregnant woman should not pick up a cat . Modern women know: cats are carriers of toxoplasmosis. That is why the expectant mother should be careful around cats and remember to wash her hands after playing with her pet. For women who are immune to toxoplasmosis, this sign is not relevant.
Sign No. 2. A cat in a pregnant woman's bed means trouble . It is believed that if a cat tries to settle down next to the expectant mother, then something is wrong with her baby. Actually this is not true. Pets simply get used to being close to a person, falling asleep on his pillow and purring under his ear. This habit has nothing to do with the condition of the fetus.
Sign No. 3. You should not allow a cat to sleep on the chest of a pregnant woman - there will be no milk . This sign has no scientific basis. An expectant mother should not actually allow a cat to sleep on her chest, but only for her own safety. In addition, a large, heavy cat can, with its weight, damage the tissue of the mammary glands, which are especially sensitive during pregnancy. Breast injury can subsequently lead to a lack of milk and lactostasis.
Sign No. 4. Having a tricolor kitten is good luck. The color of a domestic cat does not in any way affect the well-being of the family. On the contrary, a pregnant woman should not have a kitten during this period. The likelihood of suddenly developing an allergy to a new pet or contracting toxoplasmosis (if the expectant mother has not previously had contact with cats) is too high. It is also possible that a conflict will develop between the growing animal and the baby. It is better to postpone the appearance of a kitten until the child grows up and is able to establish contact with a pet.

Medical indications for limiting contact with cats

No matter how cute and gentle cats are, they can be carriers of diseases dangerous to pregnant women. Women carrying a baby should really limit contact with cats for a number of reasons:

The likelihood that the animal has parasites that can penetrate the pregnant woman’s body upon contact.
Risks of infection with toxoplasmosis. This disease is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, just like rubella or chickenpox. You can safely contact an animal only if you have antibodies to toxoplasmosis, indicating that you suffered from the disease at an early age. You cannot get toxoplasmosis again.
We eliminate the possibility of infection.

These diseases are relatively “not terrible” for an adult, but in a pregnant woman they can cause a number of complications, sometimes fatal for her and the unborn baby.

Toxoplasmosis - causes, signs and complications

The main reason why doctors recommend that pregnant women limit contact with cats is the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. An exception is that a woman underwent tests before pregnancy that showed she had antibodies to this infection.

Signs of illness in people. Most people experience the disease during childhood. It is practically asymptomatic; there may be a slight increase in body temperature and signs of a cold. In a child or adult, toxoplasmosis cannot cause complications, unlike in pregnant women. The risk of infection of a child in the womb and the severity of the consequences depends on the period:

1st trimester – 15%;
2nd trimester – about 30%;
3rd trimester – the probability of infection is over 60%.

Signs of toxoplasmosis in a cat:

frequent sneezing;
redness of the eyes;
vomiting and diarrhea due to liver infection.

These signs are typical if the animal has been recently infected. If a woman does not know whether she is immune to toxoplasmosis, if the pet has this clinical picture, contact with it should be limited and immediately taken to a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.

Complications of pathology. The consequences of the disease are extremely severe:

Infection in the early stages leads to spontaneous abortion.
In the later stages, toxoplasmosis provokes severe damage to the child’s internal organs, incompatible with life.
Children from mothers who were infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy are born with extremely severe disabilities.

If a woman is infected before 24 weeks, doctors will insist on terminating the pregnancy.

Measures to prevent toxoplasmosis:

Limit contact with your pet, especially with yard cats.
Entrust cleaning the cat litter box to other family members.
For any, even fleeting, contact with a cat, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
Have your pet checked for dangerous diseases by a veterinarian.

In order for a woman to be calm about the life of her child and be able to enjoy communication with her pet, in the early stages of pregnancy she needs to be tested for antibodies to toxoplasmosis. If any are found in the blood, you can pet a cat during pregnancy, despite all prejudices.

You cannot get toxoplasmosis again.

Parasites

Another danger that awaits a pregnant woman when in contact with cats is infection with parasites. Cats are carriers of various parasitic species:

Roundworms and Toxocaras inhabit the organs of the digestive system. Without timely treatment, they lead to impaired absorption of nutrients and anemia. These conditions during pregnancy can have an extremely negative impact on the development of the fetus.
Nematodes - lead to damage to soft tissues, causing the development of anemia, inflammatory processes and allergic reactions.
Tape parasites - the likelihood of infection in a pregnant woman is minimal, although cats are their most common carriers.
Echinococcus is equally likely to infect both cats and people, especially pregnant women. These parasites provoke severe disorders in the body, often leading to death.

How dangerous is infection? The danger of a pregnant woman becoming infected with parasites lies in the fact that during such a “tender” period it is strictly forbidden to take any anthelmintic drugs.

Why you shouldn't kick or hit cats during pregnancy

Cats are capricious creatures for whom laws are not written, so quite often the issues of raising these harmful animals are resolved by assault.
During pregnancy, it is not recommended to resort to such measures, since according to popular belief, the abuser of the animal will give birth to a child with increased hairiness or with many birthmarks.

This doesn't just apply to cats. During the period of bearing a baby, it is not recommended to offend animals, as this can negatively affect the unborn child - nature will take revenge for the insult, and the child will be born with physical disabilities.

Physical assault when training felines is not considered an effective method. The fact is that they completely lack a sense of guilt, and they will not associate an educational kick with their offense. Instead, the animal will simply harbor a grudge and may even take revenge later.

Is it possible to keep a cat indoors during pregnancy?

How much joy and trouble pregnancy brings to a woman. This is possible, that is not possible. Be careful with this one, refuse the other one, but definitely get this one. Head spin. The advice of friends, doctors, grandmothers and neighbors is sometimes directly opposite. This is exactly the case with cats and pregnancy. Definitely, the grandmother will forbid even approaching the pet, citing as an example a million scary stories with terrible consequences from communicating with a cat during pregnancy. The doctor will most likely be at one with the grandmother, but his explanations will probably be difficult for non-doctors to understand. Although toxoplasmosis, which he will definitely talk about, seems to be a familiar word, but not everyone knows what and how. But girlfriends and just interlocutors on the forums will refute all of the above in simple words: I have 2 cats in my house, they survived 2 pregnancies together well. Everyone is alive and well.

Where is the truth? Most likely, all sides are right. But the decision on how to deal with a cat during pregnancy is still up to you. Arm yourself with knowledge and you won't go wrong.

A pregnant woman should not pet cats to avoid becoming infected with worms and other parasites.

Animals, especially street animals, are carriers of many diseases. Almost every yard cat has worms, but pets are not immune from parasite infection. A cat can pick up worms if it goes outside or comes into contact with other animals; parasite eggs can get into an apartment on a person’s clothes and shoes.

Petting, hugging a pet, or playing with it can be dangerous - this increases the risk of infection with toxocara, roundworms, nematodes, tapeworms, and echinococcus. During pregnancy, you should not take antihelminthic drugs, they harm the fetus. Treatment must be postponed until delivery, or even until the end of breastfeeding, and all this time the mother’s body will be exposed to the toxic effects of worm waste.

Other diseases

The ban on contact between a pregnant woman and cats is not always an empty prejudice. Pets are often carriers of dangerous diseases:

rabies;
depriving;
salmonellosis;
chlamydia.

Infection with rabies or salmonellosis from a domestic cat is unlikely, but lichen or chlamydia have an increased risk, especially when the pet lives in a private home and often goes outside where it comes into contact with other animals.

Features of pathologies:

Lichen. Signs of the disease at an early stage are the appearance of small bald spots that are not immediately visible. For a pregnant woman, ringworm is not dangerous. But treatment of the disease is possible only after childbirth. Ringworm brings moral and aesthetic discomfort. Hair, skin, and nails can be seriously damaged, so you will have to engage in long-term therapy and recovery.
Chlamydia is a disease rarely transmitted through contact with cats, but this possibility cannot be ruled out. The disease in many cases occurs without a pronounced symptomatic picture. Its danger during pregnancy is that chlamydia is transmitted from mother to child.

Only compliance with preventive measures can protect a woman who is carrying a child from infection with various diseases.

Also watch the video pregnancy and cats:

Danger for women: when you should not have a cat while pregnant

Sometimes, out of boredom, pregnant women decide to get a pet, because it will bring many new moments to life.
And this is true, a small purring lump can give a lot of positive emotions, and at the same time it can cause the development of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma. The main carriers of the disease are cats. Unfortunately, in the early stages the disease does not manifest itself in any way, so it is not possible to suspect its presence in a pet.

If an infectious infection occurs during pregnancy, there is a high probability of serious complications for the fetus. The pathogenic agent negatively affects the central nervous system, affects the brain and cardiovascular system, which can ultimately lead to miscarriage or fetal death.

But if a woman has previously suffered from this disease, then the body has time to develop antibodies to the pathogen; in such situations, pregnancy proceeds without complications.

To avoid undesirable consequences from acquiring a four-legged friend, it is better to refuse or deal with this issue through trusted nurseries, which will provide vaccination certificates.