Pregnant women should not clean cat litter boxes because of the risk of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can harm a developing fetus
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which lives in cat feces. When a pregnant woman inhales dust or particles from contaminated litter, she can become infected. The infection itself may cause no symptoms in the mother, but it can cross the placenta and damage the fetus, particularly in the second and third trimesters.
The risk is real but not universal—not all cats carry the parasite, and not all exposures lead to infection. However, because the consequences for the fetus can be serious (including miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects affecting the eyes and brain), medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women avoid litter box cleaning entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Toxoplasmosis is spread through cat feces and can pass to a fetus during pregnancy, potentially causing miscarriage or birth defects.
- A pregnant woman does not need to get rid of her cat, but she should not clean the litter box or handle soiled litter.
- The parasite is most dangerous in the second and third trimesters, when transmission to the fetus is more likely to cause harm.
- If a pregnant woman must handle the litter box, wearing gloves and a mask and washing hands thoroughly afterward reduces risk, though avoidance is safer.
- Keeping a cat indoors and feeding it commercial cat food (not raw meat) lowers the chance it carries the parasite in the first place.
How toxoplasmosis spreads from cats to humans
Cats become infected with Toxoplasma gondii by eating infected prey (birds, rodents, or other small animals) or by eating raw or undercooked meat. Once infected, the cat sheds the parasite in its feces for a few weeks, usually early in the infection. The parasite forms hardy cysts that can survive in the litter box for days or even weeks.
When a pregnant woman cleans the litter box, she can inhale dust containing these cysts or accidentally ingest them if she touches her face or eats without washing her hands first. The infection then enters her bloodstream and can cross the placenta to the fetus. Not every exposure leads to infection, and not every infection of the mother leads to infection of the fetus—but the risk exists, and it is highest during the second and third trimesters.
Why the risk is highest during pregnancy
A healthy adult who contracts toxoplasmosis usually has no symptoms or mild, flu-like symptoms. The immune system controls the infection, and it causes no lasting harm. A pregnant woman's immune system is naturally suppressed to prevent rejection of the fetus, which makes her more vulnerable to infection.
More importantly, if the mother is infected during pregnancy, the parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. The earlier in pregnancy the infection occurs, the less likely it is to cross the placenta—but if it does cross, the damage is often severe. Infection in the first trimester can cause miscarriage. Infection in the second or third trimester carries a higher risk of transmission to the fetus but may cause less severe damage. Possible outcomes include eye damage (chorioretinitis), brain damage, seizures, and intellectual disability.
What to do if you are pregnant and have a cat
You do not need to rehome your cat. The risk comes from the litter box, not from petting, playing with, or sleeping near your cat. Ask a family member, partner, or friend to clean the litter box daily—daily cleaning removes cysts before they become infectious, which takes one to five days. If no one else can do it, you can clean the box yourself if you take precautions.
If you must clean the litter box, wear disposable gloves and a mask, scoop the box into a sealed bag, wash your hands and forearms thoroughly with soap and warm water, and avoid touching your face during the process. Wash the gloves or dispose of them when ready. Some sources recommend cleaning the box with boiling water or a bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) to kill cysts, though daily scooping alone significantly reduces risk.
Avoid handling stray cats or cats of unknown health status. Do not touch soil, sand, or gardening tools that may have been contaminated by outdoor cat feces. Wear gloves when gardening and wash your hands afterward.
Reducing the chance your cat carries the parasite
Keep your cat indoors so it cannot hunt infected prey. Feed your cat only commercial cat food, never raw or undercooked meat—raw meat diets increase the risk that a cat will carry or shed the parasite. If your cat is already infected and shedding, it will stop within a few weeks; infection does not persist indefinitely.
You do not need to test your cat for toxoplasmosis before pregnancy or during it. Testing tells you whether your cat has been exposed to the parasite at some point, but not whether it is currently shedding cysts. The practical steps—keeping the cat indoors, feeding commercial food, and having someone else clean the litter box—are more useful than testing.
What to do if you have already been exposed
If you cleaned a litter box before you knew you were pregnant, or before you knew about toxoplasmosis, do not panic. Most pregnant women have no symptoms of infection, and many cats do not carry the parasite. Exposure does not equal infection.
Tell your obstetrician or midwife about the exposure at your next visit. They can order a blood test to check whether you have been infected. If the test shows you have immunity to toxoplasmosis (meaning you were infected in the past and recovered), you cannot be infected again and your fetus is not at risk. If the test shows no immunity, your provider may recommend follow-up testing or monitoring depending on how far along you are in pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get toxoplasmosis from petting my cat or sleeping in the same bed?
No. Toxoplasmosis spreads through contact with cat feces, not through fur, saliva, or urine. You can safely pet, play with, and sleep near your cat during pregnancy. The only restriction is handling the litter box and soiled litter.
What if I already had toxoplasmosis before I got pregnant?
If you were infected and recovered before pregnancy, you have lifelong immunity and cannot be infected again. Your fetus is not at risk. A blood test can confirm whether you have immunity; ask your provider about testing if you are unsure of your history.
Is it safe to use a litter box scooper with a long handle?
A long handle reduces your proximity to dust and particles, but it does not eliminate the risk. Wearing gloves and a mask, scooping daily, and washing your hands thoroughly are more important than the tool you use. Ideally, someone else should clean the box.
Can I get toxoplasmosis from undercooked meat?
Yes. Eating undercooked beef, pork, or lamb can transmit toxoplasmosis. During pregnancy, cook all meat to a safe internal temperature (160°F for ground meat, 145°F for whole cuts), wash cutting boards and utensils after handling raw meat, and wash your hands after touching raw meat.
Does my cat need to be tested before my baby is born?
Testing your cat is not necessary. Focus instead on preventing exposure: keep the cat indoors, feed commercial food, and have someone else clean the litter box. These steps are more practical and effective than testing.