Pets in Pregnancy: Complete Guide
You do not need to rehome your pets because you're pregnant. The genuine risks around cats, dogs, and other animals in pregnancy are specific, well understood, and easy to manage with a few sensible precautions — there's no reason a much-loved pet can't stay part of the household throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Cats and Toxoplasmosis
The main pregnancy-specific concern with cats is toxoplasmosis, a parasite that can occasionally be present in cat faeces and, in rare cases, cause problems for a developing baby if a pregnant woman becomes infected for the first time.
- Avoid changing the litter tray yourself where possible; if you must, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
- Change the litter tray daily, since the parasite becomes infectious only after standing for a day or more.
- Keep cats indoors where practical, and avoid contact with unfamiliar or stray cats, which carry a slightly higher risk than a settled indoor cat.
- Wash your hands after handling your cat, and after gardening or handling soil, as outdoor cats can also pass the parasite into soil.
- There is no need to test your cat, avoid stroking it, or rehome it — the risk from ordinary contact and petting is very low.
Dogs and Other Common Pets
Dogs carry no specific infection risk comparable to toxoplasmosis, so the main considerations are practical rather than medical.
- As your bump grows, avoid being jumped on or knocked, particularly later in pregnancy when balance changes and impact to the abdomen matters more.
- Keep up with regular flea, worming, and vet care, which protects the whole household, pregnant or not.
- Birds are generally safe to keep, with no notable pregnancy-specific risk from normal handling.
- Reptiles and amphibians can carry salmonella on their skin, so wash your hands thoroughly after handling them or cleaning their tanks.
- Avoid letting pets sleep in your bed during pregnancy for hygiene and comfort reasons, though this is a personal preference rather than a medical necessity.
Preparing Pets for the Baby's Arrival
Many people find it helpful to start adjusting routines gradually rather than waiting until the baby comes home.
- Introduce any changes to a dog's walking routine, sleeping area, or house rules gradually in the months before the birth, rather than all at once.
- Play recordings of baby sounds, or use a doll to get pets used to new smells and routines, if your pet tends to be anxious about change.
- Plan who will manage dog walks and pet care in the early weeks after birth, since your own capacity will be limited.
- Ask your vet for specific advice if you have concerns about a particular pet's temperament or health around a new baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get rid of my cat when I'm pregnant?
No. There's no need to rehome a cat because you're pregnant. The relevant risk is toxoplasmosis from litter tray contact, which is easily managed by wearing gloves and washing your hands when changing litter, or asking someone else to do it. Ordinary contact, stroking, and sharing a home with your cat carries very low risk.
Can I change the cat litter tray while pregnant?
It's best avoided if someone else can do it, but if you must change the litter yourself, wear disposable gloves, change the tray daily, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. This reduces the toxoplasmosis risk to a very low level, so an occasional change in this way is not a cause for concern.
Is it safe to have a dog around during pregnancy?
Yes, dogs don't carry a specific pregnancy risk in the way cats do. The main things to watch for are being knocked or jumped on as your bump grows and balance shifts, particularly in later pregnancy, and keeping up with routine vet care such as worming and flea treatment for the whole household.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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