Toxoplasmosis and Cats: Risks, Pregnancy Safety and Prevention

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Toxoplasmosis is one of the best-known cat-related health worries, often prompting pregnant women to ask whether they must give up their pets. The truth is more reassuring than the rumor. Cats do play a role in the parasite's life cycle, but sensible precautions make the risk low.

What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Many warm-blooded animals can be infected, including people, but cats are the only species in which the parasite completes its sexual cycle and produces eggs, called oocysts, that are shed in feces.

How cats become infected

Cats usually catch the parasite by:

• Eating infected prey, such as rodents and birds
• Eating raw or undercooked meat. See raw food diets for cats.
• Contact with contaminated soil or water
• Rarely, from the mother before birth

Indoor cats fed commercial cooked diets rarely become infected.

What it does to cats

Most infected cats look healthy. After first infection, cats shed oocysts in their feces for roughly one to three weeks, then usually stop, and become immune. Shedding again is uncommon.

Some cats develop illness, particularly kittens and cats with weakened immune systems. Signs may include:

• Fever, lethargy and loss of appetite
• Breathing difficulty
• Eye inflammation. See cat eye problems.
• Neurological signs, such as seizures or wobbliness. See seizures in cats.
• Jaundice or diarrhea

If you suspect illness, see a vet. See the emergency warning signs guide.

How people get toxoplasmosis

Most people who are infected have no signs, or mild flu-like illness. People mainly become infected by:

• Eating undercooked or raw meat, especially pork, lamb and venison
• Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Contact with contaminated soil, such as gardening without gloves
• Drinking contaminated water
• Handling cat feces containing mature oocysts, for example while cleaning a litter box
• Rarely, transplant or blood donation

Cat litter is only one route, and eggs in fresh feces are not infective for the first day or more.

Who is at risk?

Infection matters most for:

• Pregnant women, because a first infection during pregnancy can harm the baby
• People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, cancer treatment or transplants

Anyone in these groups should speak with their doctor.

Reducing risk

For the litter box.

• If you are pregnant or immunocompromised, ask someone else to clean the box.
• If you must, wear gloves, and wash your hands well.
• Clean the box daily, so oocysts do not mature. See how often to clean a litter box.
• Keep litter boxes away from food areas.

For your cat.

• Keep your cat indoors, and prevent hunting. See how to build a catio.
• Feed commercial cooked or canned food, not raw meat.
• Keep up with checkups and parasite control. See worms in cats.

For you.

• Cook meat to safe temperatures.
• Wash fruit and vegetables.
• Wear gloves when gardening, and cover sandboxes.
• Wash hands, boards and knives after handling raw meat.

Testing

Blood tests can show whether a person has had toxoplasmosis in the past. For cats, tests measure antibodies, but a positive result usually only means previous exposure and does not show whether the cat is shedding. Your doctor and vet can advise.

Common myths

One myth is that all cats carry toxoplasmosis and are a constant danger. In fact, cats shed the parasite only briefly, and few cats are shedding at any time. Another myth is that you must rehome a cat during pregnancy. Most doctors advise hygiene precautions instead. A third myth is that only cat owners are at risk, when most people are infected through food.

Cats and kittens

Kittens that hunt or eat raw food are more likely to be infected and to shed the parasite. Keep kittens indoors, and feed cooked diets. See kitten feeding schedule.

Gardens and outdoor cats

Outdoor cats may use garden soil as a toilet. Wear gloves when gardening, wash vegetables and cover children's sandpits. If you have outdoor cats, a litter area away from vegetable beds helps.

Talking to your doctor

If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or have a weakened immune system, tell your doctor you have a cat. They can explain testing and precautions. Keep up with your cat's checkups and parasite control, and keep litter boxes clean. See cat first aid kit for general household preparedness.

When to see a vet or doctor

See a vet if your cat is ill. See your doctor if you are pregnant or immunocompromised and have concerns. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic, and see cat vet visit costs.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.