Do Litter Boxes Pose Health Risks To Humans And Cats?

Do Litter Boxes Pose Health Risks To Humans And Cats?

Cats are one of the cleanest domestic animals.

You can always spot your cat licking itself clean.

They are much easier to be house trained than dogs.

 

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The only problem is the litter boxes they have inside your homes.

Cleaning the litter box every day is very important. It might be tedious at first.

But, it can considerably decrease the risk of health hazards it can pose in your household.

Cleaning only takes minutes, and the benefits of it are long term.

What are the possible health issues posing to my cat?

Cats are naturally clean domestic animals.

They are very particular with hygiene.

 

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They can’t clean their litter boxes on their own.

If the litter box gets too dirty for their liking, they will avoid it.

Not passing out urine or feces might lead to numerous problems. Prevent this from happening.

The most common health issue is related to your cat’s urinary tract.

Urinary tract infection or bladder inflammation is predominantly affecting cats.

Life-threatening disease like kidneys failing or obstruction is also possible.

These diseases are curable if caught early on.

But, it would be a long process of recovery. The treatment might be expensive.

Some cats finish their business in different places other than the litter box.

It would be harder for you to clean.

What are the impacts on human health?

You may think that cats are more affected by dirty litter boxes.

You are wrong about that; humans are more at risk.

The most common health issue is a parasite infection, bacterial infection, and overexposure to ammonia.

 

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A. Ammonia exposure

Urine and feces accumulation in the litter box creates fumes. Ammonia comes from these excretions.

A small quantity of this toxic gas can cause headaches and nausea.

Exposure to higher quantities can result in pneumonia.

For children and seniors having a weaker immune system, the effect is more severe.

B. Bacterial infection

Cat scratch fever and salmonellosis are the most common bacterial infections in humans.

Your cat’s feces cause these. Cats get infected first, and it spreads to humans.

Cats usually are asymptomatic; that’s why it’s hard to detect at first.

C. Parasite infection

Hookworms, roundworms, and ringworms are the most common parasites that can infect humans.

These are present in your cat’s excrement. It can spread easily since the litter box is inside the house.

The most threatening parasite that can infect you is known as Toxoplasma Gondii.

It can manifest as fever or depression to humans.

 

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What are the things to keep in mind in dealing with litter boxes?

Making sure that litter boxes get cleaned every day can make a big difference.

This is the most effective way to prevent health issues in cats and humans.

Including it in your routine, especially if you have family members with a weaker immune system, is recommended.

You have to keep in mind that a clean litter box won’t pose any health issues.

 

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Maintaining cleanliness is not a hard task, but it can be tedious.

It can test your patience, but it can guarantee a good bill of health.

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