Your pets are part of your family.  But, can they pose risks to your pregnancy.  Read on to find up-to-date information on your furry and not-so-furry friends. 

Dogs

There are no known risks of having dogs during pregnancy.  There are some cautions about large dogs jumping on your abdomen, but overall having dogs during pregnancy is considered safe for you and your baby.  

Cats

Having a cat during pregnancy poses a risk.  Cats can carry toxoplasmosis.  If toxoplasmosis is spread to your fetus, the baby could have severe eye or brain damage.  While you don’t have to give up your feline friend, be sure to follow these precautions from the March of Dimes:

• Ask a family member who isn’t pregnant to clean out the litter box every day.

• Keep your cat inside.

• Stay away from stray cats. 

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching cat poop or after gardening. 

• If you have a sandbox, cover it to stop cats from using it as a litter. 

• Don’t feed your cat undercooked meat. 

Reptiles & Amphibians

The overall consensus from experts is do not have reptiles or amphibians as pets when pregnant due to the risk of salmonella.  The CDC also cautions that homes with infants and young children should not have reptile or amphibian pets for this reason.  Reptiles can spread salmonella to you even if you don’t touch them.  

• Turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, and salamanders fall in this category

• Read more here about reptiles, amphibians, and salmonella from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• Contact with the salmonella bacteria can lead to salmonellosis, which can make you sick and potentially harm your baby.  Read more herefrom the March of Dimes.

Rodents

Rodents (like mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs) may carry a virus called Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM).  LCM can be harmful to you as well as cause severe birth defects and miscarriage.  If you have rodents for pets use extreme caution.  Here are some things you can do, according to the March of Dimes:

• Keep pet rodents in a separate part of your home. 

• Wash your hands with soap and water after touching pet rodents. 

• Ask other family members to care for the pet and clean its cage. Ask them to clean the cage in a well-ventilated area or outside. Keep cages clean and remove any dirty bedding.

• Keep pet rodents away from your face. 

• Avoid contact with wild rodents.