The Shower Diva: Where Fun Reigns!

Introducing New Babies to Pets

This month, I thought it might be worthwhile to talk about pet concerns for pregnant moms, and introducing new babies to pets. There are a lot of urban legends out there, as well as truths, about potential infections from pets, primarily cats. Also, many of us have furry 'children' before we move up to the real thing, and sometimes introducing a new human baby to your 'first baby' can be traumatic for everyone involved.

There are some concerns that can come up for a pregnant woman regarding cats in the home, and lots of urban legends have grown up around those potential worries. The most common, and mostmisunderstood, is Toxoplasmosis - a rare disease carried by a parasite that can be found in the stools of cats who are allowed outside. Cats are hunters, and they can ingest the parasite when they eat their catch. The parasite also lives in contaminated soil, but is most often found in raw or under-cooked meat. This does NOT mean you have to give up your beloved felines (though keeping kitties inside is really better for them in many ways, not just to avoid this exposure)!

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed, there is a simple blood test your doctor can perform to test for the parasite, and it is treatable with medication. Should you test positive, your baby will have a test and will also be treated shortly after being born. I will repeat that Toxoplasmosis is RARE, and you can avoid exposure by getting daddy (or some other lucky designee) to empty the litter pan - what a GREAT excuse to get out of that chore! - or by a simple hand-washing and wearing gloves, if you need to change the litter yourself.

In addition, be sure to thoroughly cook your meats, washing the prep utensils and cutting board before you use them for other food. Don't take in stray cats, or bring in a new kitten while you are pregnant, without first having them tested. Keeping your little lions inside might be traumatic for them at first, if they are used to being outside, but most cats do adjust, and even learn to like being house-divas. Finally, if you make your cats' food yourself, please be sure it is thoroughly cooked. Mine only eat commercially prepared food from reputable suppliers. Canned cat food will eliminate the possibility of the parasite being in their food, if that is all they eat. The FDA has lots of very good information about Toxoplasmosis so check it out.

Now, about those first introductions: First and foremost, use common sense. If you have an aggressive animal, you may need to seriously consider whether it will accept the baby, or see it as a rival or intruder. Be honest and realistic. Talk to your vet and get his/her input. There are training classes available at many pet stores, and you may find a class there, or be able to be referred to someone who can help you modify your pet's behavior. If aggression is not an issue, but jealousy concerns you, the same advice stands. There are ways to help ease a new baby into a family that will allow your pet to welcome instead of resent the new addition. The ASPCA and Humane Society have some advice for these issues, and there is a great show on the National Geographic Channel – "The Dog Whisperer" – that has a website where you can submit questions. You can also visit The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, directly.

If you have any other questions about pets and pregnancy or new babies, please write in and ask! I'll do my best to give you the help you need, or direct you to a good source for more information.

Nancy Miller, RN, BA Psych, CHyT

Nancy Miller got her RN degree in 1975 and went on to earn a BA in Humanistic Psychology from Goucher College in 2002. She's also a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. Nancy is the mother of one child, her 24 year old son Eric, of whom she is extremely proud.