Have you been wanting to get out of changing your cat’s litter tray? If you are pregnant, you have a legitimate reason to pass this chore onto your partner.

If you’re pregnant and share your home with a cat, here’s one household task you can legitimately hand over to your partner: cleaning the litter tray.

Cat faeces can carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which causes an infection known as toxoplasmosis. During pregnancy, exposure to this parasite can seriously harm your developing baby, which is why Red Nose Australia recommends avoiding the litter tray from the moment you start trying to conceive.

What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. While it’s usually harmless in healthy adults, many people who are infected never know it; it poses a significant risk during pregnancy.

The parasite can cross the placenta and affect the developing foetus. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, this can lead to:

• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Birth defects
• Brain or nervous system damage
• Liver damage
• Eye problems, including vision loss
• Skin rashes

Where Is the Toxoplasma Parasite Found?

Cats are the primary host for Toxoplasma gondii, shedding the parasite through their faeces. But the litter tray isn’t the only source.

The parasite can also be found in:

• Undercooked or raw meat, especially lamb, pork, and kangaroo
• Unwashed fruit and vegetables
• Unpasteurised milk
• Garden soil contaminated by cat faeces

How to Reduce Your Risk of Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy

Cat litter and cat contact

Pregnant women are advised to avoid all contact with cat litter trays. Hand over this task to your partner or another household member as soon as you start trying for a baby, and keep it that way throughout your pregnancy. If there’s no one else to do it, wear disposable gloves and a mask, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Litter trays should be cleaned every day — the parasite takes 1–2 days after being shed to become infectious.

Meat handling and cooking

Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat. All meat should be cooked through to a safe internal temperature — avoid rare or medium-rare dishes during pregnancy. Clean chopping boards, knives, and utensils that have come into contact with raw meat before using them again.

Gardening

Always wear gloves when gardening, and wash your hands well afterwards. Garden soil can be contaminated by cat faeces, even if you don’t own a cat yourself.

Fruit and vegetables

Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating, especially if they’ve been grown in or near soil.

What Are the Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis?

In most cases, toxoplasmosis causes no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Muscle aches and pains
• Headache
• Fever and fatigue
• A flu-like feeling

Because symptoms are often absent or mild, many people don’t realise they’ve been infected. This is why prevention matters more than waiting for warning signs.

What Should You Do If You Think You’ve Been Exposed?

If you’ve accidentally changed the litter tray, handled raw meat, or been in contact with soil while pregnant, don’t panic

A single exposure doesn’t mean you’re infected. However, if you’re feeling unwell or have concerns, see your GP as soon as possible.

A simple blood test can check for evidence of toxoplasmosis infection. If infection is confirmed during pregnancy, treatment with antibiotics is available and can reduce the risk of the infection passing to your baby.

Do I Need to Rehome My Cat?

No, you don’t need to rehome your cat during pregnancy.

The risk comes primarily from contact with cat faeces, not from the cat itself. Cats that are kept indoors and fed commercial pet food are also lower-risk, as they’re less likely to have been exposed to the parasite.

The key precaution is simply to have someone else handle the litter tray, and to keep up good hygiene habits at home.

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