Caution: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. It is intended to help you determine, with the aid of your doctor, if it is necessary for you to give up a pet due to pregnancy. You have options that you may not be aware of that can help you to make an informed and responsible choice. 

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Okay, so I'm not disputing the fact that doctors are generally well educated individuals that honestly have their patient's best interests at heart. What I am saying is the tendency that many of them seem to have to tell pregnant women to "get rid of any cats/pets in the house before the baby is born." is often,, in my opinion, premature and overly cautious.

They cite possible allergic reactions, the possibility of toxoplasmosis, and claim that cats (or other pets) "have a hard time accepting newborns." Take a look at the pictures to see how hard it was for this cat to accept a new baby in the house. If you are worried about toxoplasmosis, just have your husband or significant other clean the litter box for you during your pregnancy.

Or, if you already have a cat, you may have already had toxoplasmosis and not even known it. Ask you doctor to test you for the antibodies. It's a simple blood test. If you have already been exposed, you can't catch it again.

As far as allergies go, ask your doctor how he or she knows that your baby will have an allergic reaction to your pet BEFORE it's born. The answer is, without some rather extensive testing, they can't. So before you call us to find a home for you pet, please consider this fact.

You might also consider your obligation to your pet. When you purchased or adopted your pet, you assumed responsibility for another life. Just like you assume responsibility for the life of a child. Both depend on you for food, shelter, and of course, your love. If, after your child is born, it turns out that he or she does have allergies that force you to find another home for your pet, then give us a call.