Dealing with pets can create problems for pregnant women. Here what pregnant woman should do while dealing with pets during pregnancy.There are various theories which argue on indulging with pets during pregnancy. As such pet animals are harmless and are of great comfort to anyone who make them part of their family. To start off having
pets, especially during pregnancy, as altogether a new thing should be thought off for a while. If the woman is pregnant for the second time, more care and concern as the first child gets too close to the pet. This way, possibility of getting infected with any kind of disease is quite common.
Generally, people love to have
dog or cat as a pet. In few cases people also like to have rabbits, birds, snakes and hens also as pets in their homes.
We cannot simply argue that all is well and there is no problem while having pets at home during pregnancy. Animals cannot distinguish between fresh and contaminated food. In most of the instances, food and hygiene is a real matter of concern while having pets at home during pregnancy. Mostly, pet animals cause threat as they are always in the habit of eating raw meat available in the vicinity. Also pets cannot be bathed every day. This is a serious health hazard for a pregnant woman.
Frankly not many households can afford animal soaps, perfumes, toiletries and also specific foods which are costly and ear marked only for pet animals.
Precautions to be Taken While Dealing with Pets during Pregnancy
CDC, a centre for disease control and prevention warns against having any kind of pets at home during pregnancy. The following precautions are necessarily to be taken, if pets are maintained at home. They are,
- Take care to see that the pets are vaccinated time to time
- Generally animals pass contagious diseases, so caution is important
- Pregnant women should take care not to clean the pets without proper precautions
- It is important to check that the pets at home do not get in contact with stray animals on the roads
- Infections due to pets can in few cases result into miscarriage, so its wiser to be away from pets
- Pets should be fed only the commercial pet foods and not the one loosely available in the market
- Do not entertain stray animals into the house
Feline Friends
These are pets like cats which are very harmful for pregnant women. Cats are very difficult to be trained. They indulge in shitting everywhere in the house. In few situations it is very difficult even to identify and clean the areas. Also cats have the habit of dipping their mouths into the foods in the kitchen. So precautions and extra hygiene, fool proof methods are very important when cats are reared as pets at home.
Canine Friends
These are dogs which are very faithful and are less harmful. Almost all breeds in the canine family can be trained and reared as pet animals at homes. Out of all the pet animals dog is the most safest, promising and faithful animal. At times, even dogs are a threat as they can scratch or jump on a pregnant woman. So pregnant women should generally be away from pets and indulge sparingly even while playing or pampering them.
Feathered Friends
Bird's feathers can cause breathing problems and also problems like campylobacter, salmonella, chlamydiosis and various other unknown health hazards. It is wiser to be a little far away from feathered friends during pregnancy, as the known and popular diseases like swine flu or bird flu is very common.
In general, it is wiser to indulge sparingly with animals, as hygiene is a common concern during pregnancy. Also in most cases, a pregnant woman cannot use all kinds of medicines or drugs, so be away from pets during pregnancy. It is well said, “Prevention is always better than cure”.
How to deal with pets during pregnancy? What kind of risks can be caused during pregnancy while dealing with pets? What kind of pets should be avoided during pregnancy? Discuss here.