HallettMccurdy380
De BISAWiki
Cats are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the most recent version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there had been practically 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so popular? There are as several answers to this query as there are cat owners, but the low health dangers cats pose to their owners is undoubtedly close to the best of this list. Even even though the prospective health dangers cats pose to individuals are small, it is critical that cat owners are aware of these risks and understand how to lessen them.
The majority of all dangers stemming from cat ownership are associated with the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of risks. The 1st category is made up of wellness dangers posed by bacteria and parasites to each cat owners and their cats. The second category includes injuries resulting from an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box.
Mainly the health difficulties experienced by cat owners or their cats come from the 1st category and the most significant of these risks is referred to as Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be discovered in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be located. According to the Center for Disease Manage and Prevention (CDC) a lot more than 60 million people in the United States could be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Luckily, very couple of folks ever experience any symptoms since a healthful person's immune method usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. Even so, pregnant females and individuals who have compromised immune systems, such as folks infected with the HIV virus, are at risk and ought to take precautions to steer clear of becoming infected by the parasite. For people in this group a Toxoplasma infection could cause critical health problems to the individual or to a pregnant womans unborn youngster.
Once again, most of the 60 million plus Americans infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will in no way expertise any signs and symptoms. Most of these who do expertise signs and symptoms will basically believe they have the Flu as the most common signs and symptoms consist of swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle discomfort, or a stiff neck. For those in the higher danger group, Toxoplasmosis can result in harm to the brain, eyes and internal organs. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, children born with Toxoplasma gondii can endure from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some young children creating brain or eye problems years following birth(2). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite each year and as several as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(2).
So how does an person contract Toxoplasmosis? A Toxoplasmosis infection is triggered 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 person touches their mouth after handling a cat litter box, working in a garden or sand box or touching anything that has come in contact with cat feces(3).
Folks in the higher threat group may possibly wonder no matter whether or not they really should give up their cat to stay away from infection. According to the CDC, it is not needed for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it is essential for them to shield themselves from infections. The USFDA tends to make the following suggestions for avoiding infections(2):
1) If achievable, have someone else modify the litter box. If you have to clean it, put on disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
2) Alter the litter box everyday. The parasite does not grow to be infectious until a single to 5 days right after the feces are deposited in the litter box.
three) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox since cats may have excreted feces in them. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.
4) Cover outdoor sandboxes to stop cats from employing them as litter boxes.
5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. In no way feed your cat raw meat since it can be a source of the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite.
6) Preserve indoor cats indoors. Be specifically cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors.
7) Steer clear of stray cats, specifically kittens.
eight) Don't get a new cat whilst you're pregnant.
Safer Kid, Inc. tends to make the following further recommendations(4):
1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you may want to contemplate possessing someone else hold your cat in the course of your pregnancy.
2) Keep sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using the sandbox as a litter box.
three) Be conscious of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought home on shoes, clothing and toys.
Comparable to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (frequently referred to as E. coli) can infect people thru speak to with feline fecal material, although the primary implies of infection is thru ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium frequently found in the intestinal tract of people and animals. Virtually all strains of the bacteria are harmless. However a few strains can generate strong harmful toxins and result in serious illness, especially in young children below five years of age(five). Signs and symptoms usually contain diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In young children below five, two%-7% of E. coli situations can result in kidney failure. Luckily, E. coli is easy to stop. Using the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will greatly minimize the risks of you or your children contracting an E. coli infection.
In addition to these human dangers, there are a handful of well being risks cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners ought to be conscious of. Just as a dirty litter box poses well being risks to humans, cats are equally at threat if forced to use a dirty litter box. Because cats stay clean by licking themselves, permitting a cats litter box to get also dirty can cause 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 type of infection is rarely fatal it can be extremely uncomfortable for your cat and will most most likely require therapy by your veterinarian.
Ultimately, a lesser-known health threat to cats is truly caused by cat litter itself. What numerous cat owners do not realize is that some kinds 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 possibly the most common kind of cat litter simply because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the truth 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 harmful or fatal to your cat. It is very best to keep away from employing clay based cat litters, particularly with kittens. Wheat or corn based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, Worlds Finest Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter function extremely well and are non-toxic(6).
By their quite nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cats urine or feces like clumping litters do. As a outcome, it is significantly harder to maintain your cats litter box clean when utilizing non-clumping litter. When utilizing non-clumping litter it is critical to regularly clean and disinfect the litter box itself to lessen the chance of bacterial buildups that can lead to urinary or other infections in your cat.
The second category of wellness hazards covers injuries induced by an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box. Occurrences of this type of injury are uncommon, but they can come about. An automatic or self cleaning litter box does just what its name implies. Normally 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 happen if a modest child or toddler plays with the automatic litter box throughout the cleaning cycle. All major brands of automatic litter boxes include sensors to avert the cleaning mechanism from activating when a cat or other foreign object is inside the box. However, young children can nonetheless be injured if they put their hand inside the cleaning mechanism in such a manner as to keep away from the sensors.
Though these varieties of injuries are extremely uncommon it is finest to take precautions. Placing the litter box in a location exactly where your cat can get to it but tiny children cant is an simple technique. This is excellent advice for any litter box as this is the greatest way to hold children from contracting a single of the illnesses described earlier in this write-up. If you cant preserve the automatic litter box out of a childs reach then it is very best to place the litter box inside a litter box cover. There are many kinds of covers and all of them will assist avert a child from reaching the litter box and the cleaning mechanism. A final choice is to unplug the litter box or place it into a manual operation mode. Each of these options will need the cat owner to begin the cleaning cycle anytime necessary. Even though this reduces some of the convenience of an automatic litter box it surely removes the danger to young children.
Automatic or self cleaning litter boxes are totally secure for virtually all cats. Nevertheless, most companies advise that the litter box be employed in manual operation mode for cats below five lbs. Cats beneath 5 lbs many not be large adequate to activate the sensors and the cleaning mechanism could result in injury. Given that most adult cats weigh more than five lbs, it is only needed to use the manual operation mode until kittens grow to five lbs.
This write-up is not intended to dissuade any person from owning a cat. 70 Million cat owners cant be incorrect cats make wonderful pets! So, if you already own a cat or are pondering of becoming a cat owner it basically makes excellent sense to be aware of the wellness hazards associated with cat ownership. Understanding the dangers can definately boost the enjoyment of cat ownership.
(1)Toxoplasmosis Reality Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
(two) Even though You are Pregnant USFDA
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html
(3) Toxoplasmosis An crucial Message for Cat Owners http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_eight.2004.pdf
(four) Safer Kid, Inc.
http://www.saferchild.org/pets&.htm
(five) Escherichia coli O157:H7 Truth 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 advertiser
