Are the Fumes From Litter Boxes Toxic to Humans?

The fumes from a cat's litter box, although unpleasant-smelling, are not dangerously toxic. However, some cats carry a disease called toxoplasmosis that infects humans. The disease is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Features

• Cats become infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite by eating raw meat or infected animals. The parasite passes into the cat's feces. Cats often use garden soil for elimination purposes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and human infection occurs when a person accidentally touches her mouth after cleaning out a litter box or gardening without gloves.

Effects

• Toxoplasmosis infection usually involves nondescript symptoms, such as fever and a lack of energy. However, Pet Education indicates that around 60 percent of infected pregnant women pass the disease to their fetus. Infected babies can suffer blindness or brain damage later in life. Toxoplasmosis also causes serious health problems in people who have weak immune systems.

Prevention/Solution

• Ask someone else to clean out the litter box. If no one else is available, wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Clean the box out daily, since the parasite does not become virulent for 1 to 5 days. Wear gloves when gardening or working outdoors and avoid stray cats.