One of the more unpleasant tasks in the home is cleaning out the litter box. Is this something that a pregnant woman should be doing, or is it best left to other members of the household.
When you get pregnant, it’s natural for your brain to wonder which of the household chores are now off limits to you. It’s a valid mental process, because you don’t want to be doing any sort of cleaning that involves heavy lifting, or the use of harsh chemicals.
Cleaning up after cats is usually pretty hands off, since they give themselves their own bath. The one thing that they haven’t mastered is a more sanitary way of relieving themselves, so you’ll still have to contend with their litter box as needed. But is it something that should be done by an expectant mother?
Can I Clean the Litter Box While Pregnant? Answer: Yes, But Not Recommended.
Bending over might become more of a challenge as you hit the third trimester, and also depending on how big you get. You’ll want to avoid it if you can, because you run a larger risk of throwing your back out due to being top heavy.
Even though there’s nothing physically stopping you from doing it, you shouldn’t clean the litter box while you’re pregnant. Most kitty litter these days has added chemicals in it to make it not smell so bad. When you clean it out you are stirring up the dust, making these chemicals airborne. You shouldn’t be breathing in this potentially toxic air when you’re pregnant.
How to Do It
You don’t want to be playing around with the clumps that are in the litter box. If you can’t find anyone else to do it, then here’s how to go about it when you’re pregnant.
Get a plastic garbage bag and put the entire litter box into it. Close up the bag and with your hands outside of the bag flip over the tray to release all of its contents into the bag. Let it sit for 5 minutes. This lets the dust settle and prevents it from coming out of the bag. Reach a gloved hand into the bag to retrieve the empty tray. Tie up the bag and take it out to the trash.
This may be a more wasteful way of cleaning out the box than you’re used to, but you don’t want to have your face all up in the box trying to find all the clumps of cat poop. The above mentioned steps will get the job done in the least toxic way, and have you back to your regular life as quickly as possible.
Have Your Man Do It
One alternative to to get the man in your life to take care of this chore. You can let him know that you shouldn’t be bending over too much, or sticking your head next to fecal matter. He doesn’t have to know that you’re perfectly capable of doing it, if this is one that you want to play your pregnant card on.
A Better Alternative
Even better for everyone involved is to get a self-cleaning litter box. This way nobody is tasked with this unpleasant chore. It would be a good time to invest in this, because after you have your baby, and they start toddling around the house you don’t want them getting into a messy litter box.
An Even Better Alternative
There are books and videos available that will train your cat to use a human toilet. This way all you’ll have to do is flush the toilet when they leave you a surprise. It’s not clear if this method actually works, but it seems that it could work, which would be a fantastic way to never have to clean the litter box again, pregnant or not.
It’s great that you’re putting the needs of your baby first, but in this case we’re sorry to report that you’re still able to clean out the kitty litter try from time to time. While we don’t recommend it, if it has to be done you can’t let it get too bad, or it creates even more pressing health concerns for you and the rest of the family.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
NO! NEVER clean the litter box while pregnant! Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by cleaning the litter box, and while it’s not terribly harmful to adults, it can be FATAL to a fetus. Seriously, Google it.