Children, especially curious toddlers, get into cat boxes and eat taste amounts of the litter. Regardless of the type of litter involved, ingesting clean, unused litter is minimally toxic if you swallow a mouthful or less.
Most unopened kitty litters will last pretty much forever provided they are stored appropriately. This is especially true of inorganic litters, such as those made of clay and silica. But it would take a very long time to see changes in other litters as well. This is because cat litter has no moisture in it.
When a litter box does not get cleaned properly, cats risk squatting over and stepping in old excretions. Bacteria from festering waste in the dirty litter box can travel up the urethra, causing a urinary tract infection (UTI) in your cat.
As the cat feces dry, the oocysts may become aerosolized. They can thus be inhaled by a person changing cat litter or just walking in an area where cats have defecated. An outbreak of toxoplasmosis among patrons of a riding stable was thought to have occurred in this manner.
Most of the best cat litter brands last around two to three weeks if you're cleaning the tray each day. That applies to non-toxic and low-dust litters designed to absorb high volumes of liquid without releasing odours or creating hygiene problems.
Your Cat's Senses
If the litter is too dirty then it will smell. Even if you don't smell the offensive odor, your cat will. If your nose was in such close proximity to the litter you'd certainly be aware of whether the litter maintenance was being neglected.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Even though it is unlikely that you will contract toxoplasmosis from your cat, it's good to be as careful as possible. The following recommendations will help cat owners expecting a child to reduce their risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. Avoid undercooked meat. Wash all uncooked vegetables thoroughly.
In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma. But, if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, it is important to protect yourself from infection.
Toxoplasmosis in cats
Although infection with T gondii rarely causes disease in cats, signs of illness can sometimes be seen and these include: Fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy. Pneumonia causing breathing difficulties. Inflammatory eye problems (uveitis and retinitis)
Your cat is the one actually staying inside the litter box long enough to conduct business, so it's no surprise that she's likely going to be the first one to get sick. Dirty litter boxes can cause kidney, bladder, and urinary tract diseases in cats.
Ammonia exposure: As urine and feces build up in the litter box, they can start to release ammonia. This toxic gas can cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, asthma attacks, and, if left unchecked, pneumonia.
The Toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat's feces. If you are pregnant or immunocompromised: Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
How to store cat litter. For convenience, it's easiest to store cat litter near the litter box. You don't want to haul a storage tub or 20-pound box of cat litter from one room to another every time you need to change the litter box. Be sure it's tightly covered and in a dry location to keep it fresh.
Place the 7 days of post-treatment waste in a bucket. Date the bucket and store in an out of the way place for 80 days. After 80 days the bucket and the contents are safe to dispose of in regular garbage. Clumping litters that are flushable are plant fiber based rather than clay based.
Toxoplasma and Cats:
Cats that eat raw meat or rodents can be infected, and the parasite lives in the cat's feces for only two weeks. If infected cat feces is buried in soil, Toxoplasma gondii eggs can live up to 18 months.
Cats get Toxoplasma infection by eating infected rodents, birds or other small animals, or anything contaminated with feces from another cat that is shedding the microscopic parasite in its feces. After a cat has been infected, it can shed the parasite for up to two weeks.
Cat ownership is neither a strong predictor of Toxoplasma gondii infection nor a risk factor for brain cancer.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In the United States it is estimated that 11% of the population 6 years and older have been infected with Toxoplasma. In various places throughout the world, it has been shown that more than 60% of some populations have been infected with Toxoplasma.
Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. People often get the infection from eating undercooked meat. You can also get it from contact with cat feces. The parasite can pass to a baby during pregnancy.
For the most part, all experts agree…the litter box should be scooped 1-2 times each day. “Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business,” said By Dr.
Do I have to give up my cat if I'm pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant? No. You should follow these helpful tips to reduce your risk of environmental exposure to Toxoplasma: Avoid changing cat litter if possible.
How often should you change cat litter? Ideally, you should spot-clean your cat's litter tray every day and replace the litter at least once a week. If the tray is left to become dirty, your cat may prefer to use the floor instead!