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Cats are the most well-known pets in the United States. According to the newest version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were practically 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so well-known? There are as many answers to this query as there are cat owners, but the low health dangers cats pose to their owners is definitely close to the top of this list. Even though the potential well being risks cats pose to men and women are small, it is crucial that cat owners are aware of these hazards and comprehend how to decrease them.

The majority of all risks stemming from cat ownership are associated with the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of hazards. The first category is made up of wellness risks posed by bacteria and parasites to each cat owners and their cats. The second category is made up of injuries resulting from an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box.

Mostly the health troubles seasoned by cat owners or their cats come from the very first category and the most substantial of these risks is known as Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii which can be located in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be discovered. According to the Center for Illness Manage and Prevention (CDC) more than 60 million people in the United States may possibly be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Fortunately, very few men and women ever knowledge any symptoms because a healthy person's immune method typically keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant girls and people who have compromised immune systems, such as people infected with the HIV virus, are at danger and really should take precautions to avoid being infected by the parasite. For individuals in this group a Toxoplasma infection could result in serious well being problems to the individual or to a pregnant womans unborn youngster.

Once more, most of the 60 million plus Americans infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will never ever experience any signs and symptoms. Most of those who do encounter signs and symptoms will just feel they have the Flu as the most prevalent signs and symptoms incorporate swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle discomfort, or a stiff neck. For those in the higher threat group, Toxoplasmosis can lead to harm to the brain, eyes and internal organs. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, kids born with Toxoplasma gondii can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some young children developing brain or eye difficulties years right after birth(two). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite every year and as several as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(two).

So how does an person contract Toxoplasmosis? A Toxoplasmosis infection is brought on by ingesting the Toxoplasma gondi parasite. Most cat owners are infected with the parasite by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces. This takes place when a particular person touches their mouth right after handling a cat litter box, working in a garden or sand box or touching anything that has come in speak to with cat feces(3).

Individuals in the high risk group might wonder no matter whether or not they ought to give up their cat to keep away from infection. According to the CDC, it is not needed for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it is important for them to guard themselves from infections. The USFDA tends to make the following suggestions for avoiding infections(2):

1) If attainable, have a person else adjust the litter box. If you have to clean it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands completely with soap and warm water afterwards.

two) Modify the litter box daily. The parasite doesn't turn into infectious until one to 5 days after the feces are deposited in the litter box.

three) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox simply because cats may have excreted feces in them. Be positive to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.

four) Cover outdoor sandboxes to avert cats from utilizing them as litter boxes.

5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. Never feed your cat raw meat due to the fact it can be a source of the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite.

6) Preserve indoor cats indoors. Be specially cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors.

7) Stay away from stray cats, particularly kittens.

eight) Don't get a new cat although you happen to be pregnant.

Safer Kid, Inc. makes the following further recommendations(four):

1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you might want to think about obtaining an individual else maintain your cat during your pregnancy.

2) Hold sandboxes covered to stop cats from using the sandbox as a litter box.

three) Be conscious of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought property on shoes, clothing and toys.

Equivalent to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (generally known as E. coli) can infect people thru speak to with feline fecal material, even though the main means of infection is thru ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium typically discovered in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Nearly all strains of the bacteria are harmless. However a couple of strains can produce powerful harmful toxins and trigger extreme illness, especially in children below five years of age(five). Signs and symptoms usually incorporate diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children below five, two%-7% of E. coli circumstances can lead to kidney failure. Fortunately, E. coli is straightforward to stop. Making use of the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will tremendously lessen the risks of you or your kids contracting an E. coli infection.

In addition to these human dangers, there are a couple of well being hazards cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners really should be conscious of. Just as a dirty litter box poses wellness risks to humans, cats are equally at danger if forced to use a dirty litter box. Considering that cats remain clean by licking themselves, enabling a cats litter box to get as well dirty can trigger infections when a cat cleans its paws right after using the dirty litter box. The most prevalent infection is a urinary tract infection, and though this kind of infection is seldom fatal it can be very uncomfortable for your cat and will most most likely need therapy by your veterinarian.

Ultimately, a lesser-identified wellness danger to cats is actually brought on by cat litter itself. What a lot of cat owners do not comprehend is that some sorts of cat litter can be hazardous or even fatal to their cat. Both clumping and non-clumping litters pose wellness issues to cats. Clumping cat litters are probably the most popular kind of cat litter because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the reality that clumping litters are necessary for use in self-cleaning litter boxes. Sadly, some clumping litters can be harmful to cats. Clay based clumping litters can contain the mineral sodium bentonite, which can be hazardous or fatal to your cat. It is finest to steer clear of employing clay based cat litters, particularly with kittens. Wheat or corn based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, Worlds Best Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter operate really properly and are non-toxic(6).

By their extremely nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cats urine or feces like clumping litters do. As a outcome, it is much tougher to keep your cats litter box clean when making use of non-clumping litter. When utilizing non-clumping litter it is critical to frequently clean and disinfect the litter box itself to minimize the opportunity of bacterial buildups that can trigger urinary or other infections in your cat.

The second category of health hazards covers injuries induced by an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box. Occurrences of this variety of injury are rare, but they can come about. An automatic or self cleaning litter box does just what its name implies. Generally amongst ten-15 minutes right after a cat makes use of the litter box, the litter box automatically cleans itself by sweeping or raking the cat waste into a sealed compartment or bag. For cat owners, injuries can take place if a tiny kid or toddler plays with the automatic litter box in the course of the cleaning cycle. All main brands of automatic litter boxes consist of sensors to stop the cleaning mechanism from activating when a cat or other foreign object is inside the box. Even so, young children can nonetheless be injured if they put their hand inside the cleaning mechanism in such a manner as to steer clear of the sensors.

Though these varieties of injuries are really rare it is greatest to take precautions. Putting the litter box in a area exactly where your cat can get to it but modest young children cant is an effortless strategy. This is good suggestions for any litter box as this is the finest way to keep children from contracting 1 of the illnesses described earlier in this report. If you cant keep the automatic litter box out of a childs reach then it is finest to place the litter box inside a litter box cover. There are many types of covers and all of them will assist avert a kid from reaching the litter box and the cleaning mechanism. A final option is to unplug the litter box or place it into a manual operation mode. Each of these choices will require the cat owner to commence the cleaning cycle whenever necessary. Despite the fact that this reduces some of the comfort of an automatic litter box it undoubtedly removes the danger to young children.

Automatic or self cleaning litter boxes are fully safe for almost all cats. However, most suppliers advocate that the litter box be utilised in manual operation mode for cats beneath 5 lbs. Cats beneath 5 lbs a lot of not be huge sufficient to activate the sensors and the cleaning mechanism could trigger injury. Given that most adult cats weigh more than five lbs, it is only required to use the manual operation mode till kittens develop to 5 lbs.

This report is not intended to dissuade any individual from owning a cat. 70 Million cat owners cant be wrong cats make fantastic pets! So, if you currently own a cat or are considering of becoming a cat owner it merely makes great sense to be aware of the well being hazards associated with cat ownership. Understanding the hazards can definately boost the enjoyment of cat ownership.

(1)Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

(2) Whilst You're Pregnant USFDA

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html

(three) Toxoplasmosis An essential Message for Cat Owners http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf

(4) Safer Kid, Inc.

http://www.saferchild.org/pets&.htm

(five) Escherichia coli O157:H7 Reality Sheet

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm

(6) Stanford Cat Networks Guide to Caring for Your Adopted Cat or Kitten

http://www.stanford.edu/group/CATNET/articles/careguide.html#litter from city to farm living