Question: My hubby says I should give away my cat now that I’m pregnant. Is it really true that cat litter can cause birth defects?

Answer: The concern here is the risk of being infected with toxoplasmosis. This is a parasitic infestation transmitted by eating food that’s contaminated by the waste of infected cats.

Congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with serious fetal abnormalities such as mental retardation and blindness.

You don’t have to give away your cat, but it’s very important that you observe strict hygiene practices – wash your hands after touching your pet and before you handle food.