The Great Pregnancy Scam: Cleaning The Catbox

Pregnant women have been running this scam for years, and it’s taken a formidable toll on many families. Untold scores of men have suffered at the hands of this wily ruse. It’s time we blew the lid wide open on this whole thing.

They want you to believe that cleaning the catbox is a terrible and dangerous task for pregnant women to do. Of course the man has to perform this odious duty. So the man will clean the catbox for the next nine months, never complaining, only happy to keep his wife safe from something called “toxoplasmosis.” Really, that’s what it’s called? I think they opened up for Devo at the Shoreline Amphitheater back in 1984. Anyway, that’s how it starts. Yes, this is only the beginning. Then the baby is born, and the wife being so busy with a newborn, asks, “Honey, do you think you can help me out by still doing the catbox?” Then that’s it—the precedent has been set. You’re trapped. There is no getting out, ever.

Ever.

My kid is now three years old. I’ve been cleaning the catbox and taking out the garbage every night for the better part of four years now. Four years. How did this happen? Let’s examine the details:

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite, and it can be found in birds and mammals. The parasite enters the animal when it eats raw meat or drinks milk from another infected bird or mammal. When a feline is infected, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis rests in the intestines, and can then be spread through their feces. According to the website The Cat Pregnancy Report:

Remember though: Not every cat has toxoplasmosis. Only cats that eat raw meat or drink milk from infected animals are at risk. People may get toxoplasmosis too from raw meat or poultry, or from raw eggs.

And we have indoor cats, who are never allowed to go outside. I’ve been hoodwinked! I’m calling my lawyer! The Humane Society of the United States concurs:

Because it’s difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis directly to their caregivers, a pregnant woman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat.

However, is it possible that a potentially infected mouse or such creature could get into the domicile, and that said creature could be eaten by one of the cats? The answer for me is: well, no, my cats are very lazy and wouldn’t catch anything. They can’t even catch a cold. However, since this is not true for everyone’s cats, one should always research all of the facts themselves and come to their own conclusions on the matter. If one has outdoor cats, then all bets are off. Either way, you should always be careful when dealing with pregnancy … and cats.

How have your pets affected your household during pregnancy, and/or early childhood years?

Source: Cat Pregnancy Report, The Humane Society of the United States