A cat scratch during pregnancy is usually not dangerous, but it does carry a small risk of bacterial infection that’s worth taking seriously. The two concerns most pregnant people worry about are toxoplasmosis and cat scratch disease. The good news: one of those is essentially a non-issue from a scratch, and the other is manageable with basic first aid and awareness.
Toxoplasmosis Is Not Spread Through Scratches
This is the big fear, and it’s largely misplaced when it comes to scratches. Toxoplasmosis, the parasitic infection that can cause serious harm to a developing baby, has never been documented as spreading through a cat scratch or bite. The parasite spreads through contact with infected cat feces, typically from cleaning a litter box, touching contaminated soil, or eating unwashed vegetables. It can also come from undercooked meat. While it’s theoretically possible for a cat’s paw to carry trace amounts of fecal matter, researchers have found no evidence that scratches actually transmit the parasite. So if your main worry after getting scratched is toxoplasmosis, you can set that aside.
Cat Scratch Disease Is the Real Concern
The infection worth watching for is cat scratch disease, caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. Cats pick up this bacterium from fleas, and it can enter your body through a scratch, bite, or even when a cat licks an open wound. It’s relatively common: more than 12,000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
Symptoms typically develop on a predictable timeline. First, a small raised bump or blister appears at the scratch site within a few days. Then, one to three weeks later, the lymph nodes nearest the scratch become swollen and tender. You may also develop a low-grade fever. In most healthy adults, the infection resolves on its own without treatment. Rarely, the bacteria can affect the liver, spleen, eyes, or heart valves, though these complications are much more common in people with weakened immune systems.
What It Means During Pregnancy
Data on cat scratch disease in pregnancy is limited, but the cases that have been studied offer some reassurance. In a 19-year surveillance study in Israel, researchers tracked eight pregnant women diagnosed with cat scratch disease. Seven of them had no obstetric complications, and their newborns showed no signs of infection. One woman had a miscarriage, though no direct link to the infection was established.
That said, there are a handful of concerning case reports. One involved a possible vertical transmission of the bacterium from mother to child, where the baby was born with anemia, jaundice, and an enlarged liver and spleen. Another case involved a pregnant woman whose cat scratch disease led to a ruptured liver, a rare but serious complication. These are isolated cases, not common outcomes, but they underscore why it’s important to monitor a scratch rather than ignore it.
What to Do Right After a Cat Scratch
Wash the wound immediately with warm, soapy water. This is the single most effective step you can take. Run water over the scratch for at least 20 seconds and gently clean the area. You don’t need any special antiseptic. Pat the area dry with a clean cloth and keep it uncovered so you can monitor it over the coming days.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following in the days or weeks after:
- Redness, swelling, or warmth spreading around the scratch site
- A bump or blister forming where you were scratched
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes near the scratch (in your armpit if scratched on the hand or arm, for instance)
- Fever, even a mild one
- Pus or drainage from the wound
Cat bites are more infection-prone than scratches because the teeth puncture deep into tissue. Between 28 and 80 percent of cat bites become infected. If you were bitten rather than scratched, seeking medical attention promptly is especially important.
Treatment Options During Pregnancy
Most cases of cat scratch disease don’t require antibiotics at all. The infection clears on its own within a few weeks to a couple of months. When treatment is needed, the antibiotic most commonly used for cat scratch disease can be prescribed during pregnancy, though providers weigh the benefits against potential risks on a case-by-case basis. Your provider will also check whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date. The CDC already recommends a tetanus-containing vaccine during the early part of the third trimester of every pregnancy, so if you’re due for one, a scratch may simply move up the timing.
Reducing the Risk Going Forward
You don’t need to rehome your cat. The goal is to minimize scratches and reduce your cat’s exposure to the bacteria in the first place.
Flea control is the most important step. Bartonella spreads between cats through fleas, so a flea-free cat is far less likely to carry the bacterium. The original version of selamectin (a common topical flea treatment) is labeled safe for use on pregnant and nursing cats. Talk to your vet about which product is appropriate for your pet.
Beyond flea prevention, a few practical habits make a real difference. Avoid rough play that could lead to scratches or bites. Don’t let your cat lick any open wounds or broken skin. Keep cats indoors to limit their exposure to fleas and other infected animals. If you’re considering adopting a new cat, wait until after pregnancy, since kittens and strays are more likely to carry Bartonella and more likely to scratch. Trim your cat’s nails regularly to reduce the damage if a scratch does happen.
For litter box duties, the CDC recommends that pregnant women avoid cleaning the litter box when possible. This isn’t about scratches but about reducing the separate risk of toxoplasmosis from contact with cat feces. If no one else can handle it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.