Cat litter and cat poo can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection. If you prepare any meat for yourself or your cat, make sure it is thoroughly cooked. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans are more likely to contract toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat or from gardening than they are from contact with a cat. Pregnant women may assume they need to give their cats away because toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in children. Flatulence is more common in dogs than in cats, but cats can develop gas when food ferments in the digestive tract, when they swallow air after eating too fast or too much, or if there’s a disorder of the stomach, small intestine or colon.. A little gas is a natural part of the digestive process and usually passes quickly. Some breeds like the Burmese mature early, around 4 months of age, while the Persian matures later, closer to 12 months of age, according to "Compendium." Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. Getting toxoplasmosis while pregnant could lead to a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage or can cause blindness, hearing loss, or mental retardation in your baby. It’s safest to offer your cat commercial cat food (not raw) for the duration of your pregnancy. Should Pregnant Cats Be Spayed? A cat can get it if it eats prey, raw, or undercooked meat with the parasite, or comes into contact with contaminated soil. Because it's difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis directly to their caregivers, a pregnant woman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat. Keep in mind that members of the same litter can mate and reproduce together, so you must also isolate her from any male siblings who haven't yet been neutered. Your kitty only ovulates when she mates with a male tom cat, which can happen within minutes. She's indoors, so the risk is much lower and my husband does the litter box. After ten minutes of intense labour a kitten or a fluid-filled bubble is visible in the birth canal, but not progressing. She writes about many subjects including pets, finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green. There's no problem with getting a kitten while pregnant. I have a 1year old male cat and now own an 18week old female kitten. There is a small chance that contact with their litter pan could lead to an infection that would threaten your pregnancy. Adults infected with toxoplasmosis rarely get sick. Pregnant moms can also pass the bacteria to the baby. Changing cat litter puts you at risk for contracting an infection called toxoplasmosis.There are several ways that a pregnant woman could contract toxoplasmosis, but cats are known to be common carriers of the infection. This is not healthy for them, and it adds to the overabundance of kittens in the world. Don’t handle or adopt stray cats, and don’t bring a new cat that might have been an outdoor cat into your house. Is there anything to worry about? After the female cat becomes pregnant, her body slowly changes over the next 63 days as the fetuses grow. Yes, and this is why people are frightened that petting their cats while pregnant might endanger a gestating fetus. The recommendation regarding cats during pregnancy is due to toxoplasmosis, a parasite that can cause serious infections in humans and deformities in the developing fetus. Learn more – sign up for your free trial of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging! Cat poo can carry a parasite that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis. If you have an indoor cat, the likelihood for infection is smaller. (You can also pick up the parasite from unwashed fruits and vegetables.) However, there’s very little outward change in the first weeks of the pregnancy, and the first sign owners may see is a ‘pinking’ (becoming pinker in colour) of the nipples, which also become more visible. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Others raise concern allowing the pregnant cat to have kittens contributes to the pet overpopulation problem. Two pounds is the weight that is required for your kitten to get desexing surgery. Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite that can infect your cat. Full term pregnancy in cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal. When you get them spayed. Wear gloves when gardening and during contact with soil or sand because it might be contaminated with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma. However, it's best that you don't change cat litter. If you want to get your kitten spayed or neutered when it is two months old, then look for signs that it is that age. If no one else is available, wear rubber gloves while changing the litter, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water afterwards. While this danger is real, it is remote. A blood test can tell you whether you’ve been exposed to toxoplasmosis in the past. Although most cats deliver their litter without any assistance, problems can occasionally arise which require the attention of a Vet. No. Wear gloves when gardening, and wash your hands carefully after contact with soil or sand where cat waste may have been deposited. This will reduce the risk. I have been wanting a kitten for awhile now and my husband finally said OK.But I was reading my pregnancy book,I am almost 25 weeks pregnant,and it said not to get new cats or kittens while pregnant.I don't plan on changing the litterbox or anything like that,and I plan on taking the kitten to the vet for it's shots and checkup.Is it really not safe to get a new kitten? This way you won't have to worry about a surprise litter of kittens from your own little kitten. The first pregnancy is always a bit risky, moreso if the cat is still growing herself. Giving kitten formula to your pet also has benefits for her growing kittens. is it possible for her to get pregnant and could this be dangerous? Queens can keep going into heat every 2 to 3 weeks from the spring through the early fall, making them ready to reproduce more often than not. The symptoms are the same during pregnancy, except it can be more dangerous. Kitties mature young, typically between 4 and 6 months old. ... Get Pregnancy & Parenting Tips In Your Inbox Your cat (queen) often won’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is a few weeks into her term. Your kitty will usually only go into heat during the spring and summer months, although warm, tropical climates can trigger estrus in your kitty all year long, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals website. You do not need to stay away from cats while you're pregnant. You can get it into your body by touching infected poop and then touching your mouth. She does this to advertise her heat status to available male kitties in the area. She’s about seven months old and probably as many weeks along in her pregnancy. Posteriorly presented, or tail-first, kittens occur quite frequently, so much so that this could almost be considered a normal presentation, often causing no delay in birth. Many kittens born will wind up as Free Kittens. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: 5 Steps To A Healthier Pantry, The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: How To Make Your Fridge Healthier. Sixty-three days is full-term so this otherwise tiny cat was getting pretty close to popping. It just goes to show that cats can get pregnant even as young as four months of age, which is far too young. The act of mating causes cats to ovulate, so although not common, it is possible for a single litter to contain kittens from different fathers. She will have no psychological effect if she is spayed while pregnant. If she is allowed to mate with an available, mature male cat while in estrus, she has the ability to become pregnant, regardless of how young she is. In most cases, once a person gets toxoplasmosis, he/she cannot get it again. The infection doesn’t make cats sick so you wouldn’t know if your pet was carrying it. Spay FIRST! Women who have recently gotten a cat or have outdoor cats, eat undercooked meat, garden, or who have had a recent mononucleosis-type illness are at increased risk. Precautions for Pregnant Women and Cats Cats have to eat infected prey to become carriers of the disease, so one way to protect yourself is to keep your cat indoors. You may be wondering why. The cat’s behaviour alters little until the final week of the pregnancy. Cats can give birth successfully at 8 months old. As hard as it may be to believe, your 4-month-old little kitten can become pregnant if she has reached puberty by this age. If the cat has not given birth to another kitten after an hour and begins to show symptoms of distress, you will need to take them to a veterinarian. Pregnant women may assume they need to give their cats away because toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in … To prevent your little one from having to go through estrus at all or have the possibility of becoming pregnant, have her spayed prior to 3 months of age. Bella: That cat does look like she’s pretty far along. If possible, have the litter changed daily. However, there’s very little outward change in the first weeks of the pregnancy, and the first sign owners may see is a ‘pinking’ (becoming pinker in colour) of the nipples, which also become more visible. If you want to get your kitten spayed or neutered when it is two months old, then look for signs that it is that age. Cats don't have abortions - they get spayed while pregnant. www.drweil.com. They will NOT miss the kittens if they don't have them. No. Feed your cat only canned or dry food, not undercooked meat. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days. Cats can get it from raw or undercooked meat. If you are pregnant, you have probably heard that you should not change cat litter during your pregnancy. A mature kitty will begin to yowl loudly and may constantly rub up against you and the furniture in your home. Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. If you’ve been infected in the past, you’re probably immune and cannot pass the infection on to your baby. It's important to understand the disease. If thye are inside cats, get them spayed now - do not wait till they are older. Some people cannot bear the thought of killing fetal kittens. On Friday I saw a gorgeous grey kitten named Goldie (go figure). Cat poo can carry a parasite that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis. In general, a kitten that is two months old should weigh approximately two pounds, as long as it has had proper nutrition and care. A female cat can get pregnant when they are as young as 4 months old, unless they have been spayed to prevent that. Getting toxoplasmosis while pregnant could lead to a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage or can cause blindness, hearing loss, or mental retardation in your baby. A cat’s gestation period – how long she is pregnant – is typically 60 to 63 days. Late pregnancy and premonitory signs of parturition. While this danger is real, it is remote. About 85% of pregnant women in the United States are at risk for toxoplasmosis infection. Infection can follow handling of cat litter because it can be found in the stool of cats, so pregnant women are advised not to handle cat litter. During her heat cycles, your kitty's periods of estrus last anywhere from three to 16 days at a time, with breaks in between of three to 14 days, according to the Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I have a Siamese and she's no issue. Tara: One thing we do know is that when a cat is pregnant, the blood supply to the uterus increases dramatically. The process of a mama cat getting ready to have kittens is called "queening." If you get infected with toxoplasmosis in the first trimester, the risk that your baby will also be infected is about 15 percent. The parasite that causes the infection is carried by many cats and passed in their stool. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. The only way a kitten can become pregnant is if she has gone into estrus, commonly referred to as heat. The first sign of pregnancy occurs at about three weeks into her pregnancy, when her nipples will get … The kitten is usually passed eventually. Only during each period of estrus does your little one become capable of reproducing. She'll start making attempts to escape your home so she can find a mate outside. my worry is that she may be able to get pregnant if they get time together accidently (e.g my 3 year old leaving door open accidently). The health and physical risks alone to the pregnant kitten are too scary to think of, not to mention the fact that a kitten does not have the proper mental capacity to raise kittens herself. I don’t think you have to get rid of your cats, but you do have to be careful. She needs enough nutrition for her own body to grow, as well as feeding her kittens, so make sure she gets enough quality food. Two pounds is the weight that is required for your kitten to get desexing surgery. Either that or she’s got lots of kittens in there! Paretts holds a Master of Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. In fact, you may have already been exposed to toxoplasmosis. Spaying a pregnant cat terminates the pregnancy, making this a controversial issue. Approximately one-third of women in the United States are immune; the likelihood of immunity is highest among women who have owned cats for a long time. After the female cat becomes pregnant, her body slowly changes over the next 63 days as the fetuses grow. The youngest a kitty typically goes into heat is around 3 1/2 months old, according to the December 2001 issue of "Compendium." I have noticed all the signs of her in heat and have them separated until it is over. : How Early Can My Cat or Dog Get Pregnant, Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Feline Estrous Cycle, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Early Spay/Neuter, The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management; Susan Little. The infection, toxoplasmosis, can be passed to humans via cat feces. If, however, the first kitten comes tail-first there may well be delay owing to the absence of the wedge-shaped head pushing behind the fluid-filled membranes. Once they come into heat, they will cycle frequently and its sometimes harder to spay. The reason cats find themselves in the crosshairs when it comes to toxoplasmosis and pregnancy is cat litter. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Domestic cats usually reach sexual maturity (puberty) between five to 12 months, at which time they experience their first estrus. But with cats, you also have to be careful about dealing with cat poop. Your kitty will usually only go into heat during the spring and summer months, although warm, tropical climates can trigger estrus in your kitty all year long, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals website. Only cats who ingest tissue cysts get infected. The infection doesn’t make cats sick so you wouldn’t know if your pet was carrying it. While she's in estrus, it's important to keep your little one indoors at all times because a brief outing can result in a pregnancy. Her Heat Cycles Stop. Keep outdoor sandboxes covered. (It is best to disinfect the pan with boiling water for five minutes before refilling it with litter.) You do not need to stay away from cats while you're pregnant. In general, a kitten that is two months old should weigh approximately two pounds, as long as it has had proper nutrition and care. Flatulence is defined as excess gas in a cat’s stomach or intestines. If you have a female cat who isn't fixed, you're probably already well aware of … If you get infected in the second trimester, your baby's risk is about 30 percent, and it's 60 percent in the third trimester. Diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, and although it’s rare, salmonellosis can cause a blood infection (bacteremia) or meningitis. Each kitty is a unique individual and may not go into heat until 6 months or even up to 12 months of age in some cases, according to "The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management." My husband says that we should get rid of our two cats because they could endanger my pregnancy. Kittens as young as 4 months can breed and get pregnant any time of the year - no reason to be waiting to spay them. The only way a kitten can become pregnant is if she has gone into estrus, commonly referred to as heat. You'll also find that she will mark the inside of your home with her urine. Can Kittens That Are 4 Months Old Get Pregnant? Based in Las Vegas, Susan Paretts has been writing since 1998. They mate from instinct. Do not get a new cat while you are pregnant. Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. Prevent your furbaby from having unwanted kittens by spaying her early in life. Can a Cat Get Pregnant Anytime Without Being in Heat?→, How Old Does a Kitty Have to Be to Get Fixed?→. Even if you’re not immune, you can reduce your risk, by following the tips below from the CDC: Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox, Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Purina: At What Age Can My Cat Become Pregnant? Several factors keep the chance of such transmission low. She is capable of becoming pregnant during her first period of estrus. I’ve just learned that I’m pregnant. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. To prevent unwanted litters of any breed, it's best to have your furry companion spayed prior to 3 months old. Cats do not get pregnant because they want to have a family. A cat’s gestation period – how long she is pregnant – is typically 60 to 63 days. We recommend switching her back to kitten food, from the start of her pregnancy until after her kittens have been weaned. Full term pregnancy in cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal. It can be an exciting time when your cat is about to give birth to kittens and as long as it is a planned pregnancy that you've closely monitored, there should not be too much to worry about. If your kitty goes into heat, you'll have to wait until her cycle is finished before having her spayed because of the increased risk of bleeding during surgery that can occur, according to Catster. A cat can get it if it eats prey, raw, or undercooked meat with the parasite, or comes into contact with contaminated soil. Don’t touch stray cats or kittens. Kitties allowed to roam freely outdoors are exposed to tom cats and females in estrus, increasing their chances of early maturation. Always seek veterinary advice if any of the following occur: Twenty minutes of intense labour without a kitten being delivered. The answer is – cats can get pregnant again immediately. Cat feces can contain the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Like dogs, you have to watch out for bites, scratches, and ticks. Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. Women who have recently gotten a cat or have outdoor cats, eat undercooked meat, garden, or who have had a recent mononucleosis-type illness are at increased risk. Your baby's risk of becoming infected rises as your pregnancy progresses. Not only will it mean that they get high quality milk, but it will also help them wean, as they will copy her and try some of the food she eats. The first sign of pregnancy occurs at about three weeks into her pregnancy, when her nipples will get … However, it does have an increased risk of drowning in its own foetal fluids if the time from placental separation to when its nose is free from its m… Kittens as young as 8 weeks old can safely be spayed by a veterinarian, as long as they weigh around 2 pounds, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pet owners, particularly older adults, are more likely to have lower blood pressure and higher self-esteem, and are less likely to be depressed than people who don’t have companion animals. The act of mating causes cats to ovulate, so although not common, it is possible for a single litter to contain kittens from different fathers. In the cat pregnancy generally lasts for 63 to 65 days; however, it is not unusual for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer time (range 58 to 70 days). About 85% of pregnant women in the United States are at risk for toxoplasmosis infection. ©Copyright 2021 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. I suspect this is an old wives tale. Have someone else change your cat’s litter box while you’re pregnant. It is also possible for the mother to experience something called interrupted labor in cats. Cats pick up the parasite from uncooked meat, and small animals they may kill and eat outdoors. Feed your cat only dry or canned cat food. Sand because it might be contaminated with cat poop attention of a mama cat getting ready to kittens. Crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green of your home so she find! An infection that would threaten your pregnancy into estrus, commonly referred to heat... Goes to show that cats can get it from raw or undercooked.. 15 percent kittens at only 6 months old, unless they have spayed. Estrus, increasing their chances of early maturation behaviour alters little until the final week of the pregnancy in! 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Do n't change cat litter. to 63 days as the fetuses grow a cat ’ s about seven old. Except it can be more dangerous 60 to 63 days as the fetuses grow to offer your cat the! They need to stay away from cats while you ’ re pregnant you prepare any meat yourself!