Essential Cat Litter Box Health nike air max Factors You should Know about
Cats are the most nike air max well-known pets inside the United states. In accordance with the most recent edition of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Version) there were almost 70 Million pet cats inside the U.s.. Why are cats so well-known There are as many answers to this question as there are cat owners, but the reduced well being dangers cats pose to their owners is certainly near the top of this list. Even though the potential health hazards cats pose to people are small, it is important that cat owners are aware of these dangers and comprehend how to reduce them.
The majority of all risks stemming from cat ownership are associated together with the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of risks. The first category contains wellness dangers posed by bacteria and parasites to both cat owners and their cats. The second category contains injuries resulting from an automatic litter box or self cleansing litter box.
Primarily the health problems experienced by cat owners or their cats come in the first category and essentially the most significant of these risks is called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be found in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be found. Based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) far more than 60 million people within the U.s. could possibly be infected using the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Fortunately, very few people ever experience any symptoms because a healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems, such as individuals infected with the HIV virus, are at threat and should consider precautions to avoid becoming infected by the parasite. For people in this group a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious well being problems towards the individual or to a pregnant woman’s unborn child.
Again, most of the 60 million plus American’s infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will never experience any symptoms. Most of those who do experience symptoms will simply think they have the Flu as probably the most prevalent symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, or a stiff neck. For those inside the high threat group, Toxoplasmosis can cause damage for the brain, eyes and internal organs. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, children born with Toxoplasma gondii can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some children developing brain or eye problems years after birth(2). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected with all the Toxoplasma gondii parasite every single year and as several as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(2).
So how does an individual contract Toxoplasmosis A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by ingesting the Toxoplasma gondi parasite. Most cat proprietors are infected using the parasite by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces. This happens 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).
People in the high chance nike air max group might wonder whether or not they really should give up their cat to avoid infection. In accordance with the CDC, it is not necessary for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it truly is crucial for them to protect themselves from infections. The USFDA makes the following recommendations for avoiding infections(2):
1) If possible, have someone else change the litter box. If you have to clean it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
2) Change the litter box daily. The parasite doesn’t become infectious until 1 to five days after the feces are deposited inside the litter box.
3) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox because cats could have excreted feces in them. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.
4) Cover outdoor sandboxes to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.
5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. Never feed your cat raw meat because it can be a source with the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite.
6) Keep indoor cats indoors. Be especially cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors.
7) Avoid stray cats, especially kittens.
8) Don’t get a new cat while you’re pregnant.
Safer Child, Inc. makes the following additional recommendations(4):
1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you may want to consider having someone else keep your cat during your pregnancy.
2) Keep sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using the sandbox like a litter box.
3) Be aware of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought home on shoes, clothing and toys.
Similar to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (commonly called E. coli) can infect humans thru contact with feline fecal material, although the major means of infection is thru ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Almost all strains in the bacteria are harmless. Nevertheless a few strains can produce powerful toxins and cause severe sickness, especially in children under 5 years of age(5). Symptoms usually include diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children under 5, 2%-7% of E. coli cases can cause kidney failure. Fortunately, E. coli is easy to prevent. Using the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will greatly reduce the hazards of you or your children contracting an E. coli infection.
In addition to these human hazards, there are a few well being risks cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners air max pas cher really should be aware of. Just like a dirty litter box poses well being risks to humans, cats are equally at threat if forced to use a dirty litter box. Since cats stay clean by licking themselves, allowing a cat’s litter box to get too dirty can cause infections when a cat cleans it is paws after using the dirty litter box. Essentially the most prevalent infection is an urinary tract infection, and although this type of infection is rarely fatal it can be really uncomfortable for your cat and will most likely require treatment by your veterinarian.
Finally, a lesser-known wellness danger to cats is actually caused by cat litter itself. What numerous cat proprietors do not realize is that some types of cat litter can be harmful or even fatal to their cat. Both clumping and non-clumping litters pose wellness problems to cats. Clumping cat litters are probably one of the most popular type of cat litter because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the truth that clumping litters are required for use in self-cleaning litter boxes. Unfortunately, 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 really is best to avoid using clay based cat litters, especially with kittens. Wheat or corn primarily based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, World’s Best Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter work really properly and are non-toxic(6).
By their quite nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cat’s urine or feces like clumping litters do. Like a result, it is considerably harder to keep your cat’s litter box clean when using non-clumping litter. When using non-clumping litter it truly is important to frequently clean and disinfect the litter box itself to reduce the chance of bacterial buildups that can cause urinary or other infections in your cat.
The second category of health dangers covers injuries caused by an automated litter box or self cleaning litter box. Occurrences of this type of injury are rare, but they can happen. An automatic or self cleaning litter box does just what it really is name implies. Usually between 10-15 minutes after a cat uses the litter box, the litter box automatically cleans itself by “sweeping” or “raking” the cat waste into a sealed compartment or bag. For cat proprietors, injuries can occur if a small child or toddler plays with the automatic litter box during the cleansing cycle. All key brands of automatic litter boxes contain sensors to prevent the cleaning mechanism from activating when a cat or other foreign object is inside the box. Even so, children can still be injured if they put their hand within the cleansing mechanism in such a manner as to avoid the sensors.
Although these types of injuries are nike air max quite rare it really is best to get precautions. Placing the litter box in a location where your cat can get to it but small children can’t is an easy method. This is good advice for any litter box as this could be the best way to keep children from contracting among the diseases described earlier in this write-up. If you can’t keep the automated litter box out of a child’s reach then it truly is best to put the litter box within a litter box cover. There are many types of covers and all of them will help prevent a child from reaching the litter box and the cleansing mechanism. A final option is to unplug the litter box or put it into a “manual operation” mode. Both of these options will require the cat owner to start the cleaning cycle whenever necessary. Although this reduces some with the convenience of an automated litter box it certainly removes the hazard to children.
Automated or self cleansing litter boxes are completely safe for almost all cats. Even so, most manufacturers recommend that the litter box be used in “manual operation” mode for cats under 5 lbs. Cats under 5 lbs a lot of not be large enough to activate the sensors and the cleansing mechanism could cause injury. Since most adult cats weigh over 5 lbs, it really is only necessary to use the “manual operation” mode until kittens grow to 5 lbs.
This article is not intended to dissuade anyone from owning a cat. 70 Million cat owners can’t be wrong; cats make great pets! So, if you already own a cat or are thinking of becoming a cat proprietor it simply makes good sense to be aware in the air max pas cher well being hazards associated with cat ownership. Understanding the risks can definately increase the enjoyment of cat ownership.
(1)Toxoplasmosis Truth Sheet; cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
(2) While You’re Pregnant – USFDA
cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html
(3) Toxoplasmosis – An critical Message for Cat Proprietors; cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf
(4) Safer Child, Inc.;
saferchild/pets&.htm
(5) Escherichia coli O157:H7 Fact Sheet;
cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm
(6) Stanford Cat Network’s – Guide to Caring for Your Adopted Cat or Kitten;
stanford.edu/group/CATNET/articles/careguide.html#litter
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