Cats and pregnant women

[Barbara Ferris]

I work in a residential program for pregnant and post-partum women. Their babies and young children also live with them. Can we safely adopt a stray cat?

[Luba]

You recreated your thread lmao I tried to answer the last one and I couldn't you musta deleted it and redid it haha!

Anyway, I suggest you get a cat from a rescue which has been in a foster home setting with children. Thats your best bet. Also the cat should have a safe place to go to get away from the kids when it doesn't want to be bothered.

www.petfinder.com
search for rescues in your area best of luck

[GsdDiamond]

Monitor the cat closely for the first while. My cousin had a cat that she loved dearly, and who loved her dearly too. Well....she got pregnant and things changed. The cat actually attacked her. Now, I couldn't tell you if the cat was a female/male fixed/not, so that probably had tons to do with it. But, just for safety's sake, watch for a while to be sure.

But, I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that nothing happens!!

Good for you on adopting a little fur ball!

[Writing4Fun]

I think what you're worried about is toxoplasmosis. As long as the pregnant women don't clean out the litter, they should be ok. Also, that "cats stealing babies' breath" thing is a myth. BUT, cats do like to cuddle up with warm bodies, and babies put out A LOT of heat. Just make sure the cat can't hop into the cribs (either put screen doors on the babies' rooms or restrict the cat's area so s/he can't get to the bedrooms).

I am a little curious, though. What will you do with the cat if someone comes in who is allergic?

Good luck!

[chico2]

There is no reason why pregnant women should not be able to enjoy a cat,I had three kids and always cats.I was also the only one doing the litterboxes,that's before they found out it could cause problems
I would suggest to you a male neutered cat,some females can at times be a little skittish and might get stressed out with too many people,but I am assuming you have some experience with cats,right?
Two males would be ideal

[Writing4Fun]

Originally Posted by chico2

There is no reason why pregnant women should not be able to enjoy a cat,I had three kids and always cats.I was also the only one doing the litterboxes,that's before they found out it could cause problems

Actually, I spoke to my Dr about this the first time I got pregnant. A woman who already has a cat when she becomes pregnant has probably already built up the anitbodies against toxoplasmosis, and is most likely safe around the litter (he tested me to make sure). That's why I didn't have to worry either (although I was hoping I could use that as an excuse to get hubby to clean out the litter for a while! ).