Would you get rid of your cat because you found out you were pregnant?
By Tambunan
@Tambunan (28)
Indonesia
March 2, 2010 8:32pm CST
We had this cat that my husband saved from drowning in a river when it was still very tiny. We kept her until she was grown and for a cat in Indonesia... very spoiled. Then I found out I was pregnant again. I had just had a miscarriage the month before and I was a little worried about it happening again. Natural right? So I asked my husband to find a good home for the cat, because I just didn't want to risk the chance of toxoplasmosis. Now that I am a lot further along in my pregnancy I feel kinda guilty. Is it unfair to ask the cat to "take a hike" just because I was a little paranoid?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@raineyes (554)
• United States
4 Mar 10
I don't know much about Indonesia, but I can say I have a borderline hatred for children and would keep my cat over any brat child. Please don't take that as an insult to your up and coming baby. I wish you the best of luck with that and hope that your pregnancy goes well and untroubled! I really do. It's just that I get along with animals much better than small children - I have no patience, I guess. But, on the other hand, I've been known to be a little paranoid and do irrational things.
However, I have taken in my lifetime of 19 years, seven dogs and cats and innumerable fish. So I'm a little more attached to animals than I am to the idea of children.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
6 Mar 10
This is true. I don't think that I'll never have children. It's different when they are your own, I'm told. I just don't think I'd give up my cat or puppy or any other animal. As my dad always joked with me about the dog he and my mom adopted before I was born, his dog was the first born, not me, hahaha.
But I respect what you did. Maybe it was a little paranoid and maybe unnecessary, but you did what you did for your safety and your baby's safety.
@Tambunan (28)
• Indonesia
6 Mar 10
Raineyes,
You may change your mind later in your life. I remember feeling like that when I was 19 too. But when you fall in love, truly in love, you may just find that you really want to make a baby with that person, so that you can have the joy of seeing them in that child. Or maybe not... maybe you'll fall in love and adopt a puppy together. That works too. :-)
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
3 Mar 10
Had cats through my pregnancies. I just didn't change the litterbox and never had a problem. If it does bother you that much find a home for the cat.
@Tambunan (28)
• Indonesia
6 Mar 10
Hi Irishidid,
I'm glad to hear you were able to keep your cats thru your pregnancies. It isn't so easy here. We can get cat litter in special stores, but it is very very expensive. Our cat just "went" outside, and so was not as clean and safe-feeling as I wanted her to be. My husband bathed her every week, but it just wasn't worth the stress. She has a better home now.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
6 Mar 10
As long as she had a good home and you feel comfortable in your decision, that's all that matters. 
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I thnk that if thats what made you more comfortable then that was the right thing to do! The only time I got rid of a cat was AFTER having the baby (my oldest) because we couldnt keep her out of his crib and she became very jealous and aggresive so she had to go...
@Tambunan (28)
• Indonesia
6 Mar 10
Ravenladyj,
I'm relieved that we won't have to worry about the cat jumping into the crib. The cat-less house does feel a bit lonely, but much safer in the circumstances. We are thinking about getting another cat after our son is big enough and not so fragile. Hopefully we can avoid the jealousy issues by getting a young enough kitten. That would be a little scary to me, to have an aggressive animal around the baby. Thanks for the warning.
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
5 Mar 10
that sounds stupid. a pet is like a member of the family. why would anyone get rid of a pet if they were pregnant? just keep the baby and pet in separate areas until they get used to each other, and dont leave a baby unattended with an animal. animals can be unpredictable and very instinctive.
@Tambunan (28)
• Indonesia
6 Mar 10
The_Lamb_Lies_Down,
Thank you for your clarification.
fifileigh,
It must sound stupid if you've never been pregnant, or have never heard of the risks. But I guarantee, if you'd ever lost a baby you would totally understand. I agree that pets are a part of the family, but not if they risk a child's life (not in our family anyway)... in or out of the womb.
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
20 Mar 10
lucky for me,even if I get pregnant,I don't think there will be a problem being around pets.I am not really allergic to animal fur.I will just probably stay away from their litter.I wouldn't want them my pets to be separated from me just because I am pregnant.if it is advised by a doctor,I would prefer not to find them a new home, but they have to stay in a place that is not far from mine.
@izziemint (94)
• Philippines
4 Mar 10
For some good reason we must weigh things when we decide. On this, we could ask ourselves the baby? or the cat? Inorder to provide safety of pregnacy because of toxoplasmosis that a pregnant woman might have from a cat is to separate it from home like asking someone to take care of it until the baby will be delivered. Prevention is better than cure. We could not afford to lose life to someone.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I think it is fair. I'm sure you miss the cat, but after losing one baby, you naturally wouldn't want to take the chance of losing another. As long as you found the cat a good home, I don't think you should feel guilty at all. It's not like you got rid of it for petty reasons or because you didn't want to handle the responsibility of it.
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
8 Mar 10
No, I would not get rid of my cat because of being pregnant. When I was pregnant, I just had someone else clean the litter box for me, that's all. My cats are also a part of the family.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
4 Mar 10
Hi, Tambunan. No, that is not wrong on your part to do this. You are doing the right thing by protecting yourself and your baby from being at risk for Toxoplasmosis. It is wise to do what you must in being safe with your unborn child still in your womb. I would allow someone to keep my cat if I was pregnant.
