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Do Pet Cats Cause Harm To A New Born Baby?

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Posted on Fri, 27 Feb 2015
Question: Can having cats at home be harmful to a new born baby?

- the cats are properly vaccinated
- the cats are always indoors
- the cat litter is placed in a room completely isolated from regular access areas
- the cat litter is cleaned everyday and the person cleaning the litter wears gloves while doing it and sanitize their hands before approaching the baby. Also, the mother is not allowed to clean the litter, however is allowed to pet the cats.
- the cats do not have access to the nursery or any of the baby's furniture.
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get the cats tested. If they are not infected they do not pose a threat

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I understand your concerns and appreciate the awareness that you demonstrate. The first thing that I would insist is to get the cats' blood tested for Toxoplasma Igm and IgG antibodies. Cats are susceptible to infection with an organism called Toxoplama but it is not necessary that all cats are infected. If the results come negative and if the cats have no access to other cats in the neighborhood, I would not worry and would consider them safe to be kept in your house in spite of the presence of a newborn baby. If the results come negative, with the precautions that you mentioned and since they are already vaccinated, I do not think that it can be harmful for the newborn baby.

Hope that helps.

If you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a 5 star rating and a positive review.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Do Pet Cats Cause Harm To A New Born Baby?

Brief Answer: Get the cats tested. If they are not infected they do not pose a threat Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I understand your concerns and appreciate the awareness that you demonstrate. The first thing that I would insist is to get the cats' blood tested for Toxoplasma Igm and IgG antibodies. Cats are susceptible to infection with an organism called Toxoplama but it is not necessary that all cats are infected. If the results come negative and if the cats have no access to other cats in the neighborhood, I would not worry and would consider them safe to be kept in your house in spite of the presence of a newborn baby. If the results come negative, with the precautions that you mentioned and since they are already vaccinated, I do not think that it can be harmful for the newborn baby. Hope that helps. If you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a 5 star rating and a positive review. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das