How to Reduce Toxoplasmosis Risk if You Sleep with Your Cat

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and the CDC explains that it spreads through contaminated cat feces, soil, water, or undercooked food. A cat sleeping beside you is not the main route by itself. The risk is higher when litter, fecal particles, outdoor soil, or poor hand hygiene get close to your face, food, or bedding.

Most healthy people with toxoplasmosis have no symptoms or only mild illness, but pregnancy and immune suppression change the level of caution. The CDC lists pregnant people and immunocompromised people as higher-risk groups, and Cleveland Clinic notes that serious complications can occur in these groups. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, receiving chemotherapy, living with HIV, have had a transplant, or take immune-suppressing medicine, ask a clinician whether bed sharing or litter care should change.

Do not keep the litter box near your bed, towels, vanity, makeup, toothbrushes, or snacks. The CDC recommends changing litter daily because Toxoplasma usually needs 1 to 5 days after shedding to become infectious. If you are higher risk, have someone else clean the box when possible, or wear disposable gloves and wash your hands afterward.

Wash with soap and running water after scooping litter, touching food and water bowls, handling pet supplies, or contact with cat saliva or poop. The CDC advises handwashing after handling cats and before eating or drinking. This is especially important before touching your face, contact lenses, skincare products, or bedding.

Cats can become infected after hunting infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The CDC recommends keeping cats indoors and feeding commercial dry or canned food or well-cooked food, rather than raw or undercooked meat. Routine veterinary care also helps reduce fleas, ticks, and other infections that can affect people.

Avoid rough play in bed, trim your cat's nails regularly, and clean scratches right away with soap and water. The CDC says cat scratch disease is linked to Bartonella henselae bacteria and can follow scratches, bites, or licks to open wounds, especially from kittens. Ask your veterinarian about flea prevention, and never use flea or tick products on cats unless your vet says they are safe for cats.

Wash sheets and pillowcases routinely, and keep your cat off pillows if it has diarrhea, feces on its fur, vomiting, sores, or signs of fleas. The CDC notes that cats can carry germs even when they look clean and recommends prompt cleanup and handwashing after urine, poop, or vomit. Call your veterinarian if your cat seems ill.

The CDC says most healthy people with toxoplasmosis do not know they have it, but possible symptoms include tender lymph nodes, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms. Eye symptoms can include blurred vision, pain, redness, or tearing. In people with weakened immune systems, symptoms such as fever, confusion, headache, seizures, nausea, or poor coordination need prompt medical attention.

Talk to a healthcare professional if you are worried about exposure, are pregnant or planning pregnancy, have a weakened immune system, or develop symptoms after possible exposure. Mayo Clinic advises urgent care for blurred vision, confusion, or loss of coordination, especially with a weakened immune system. For a cat bite or scratch, seek care if the wound is serious, becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen, or the cat's rabies vaccination status is unknown.