Hello,

I am 26 year old. I am planning to conceive in next few months.
I have a 6 year old Labrador at home. Entire family is extremely attached to it & the pet too is highly dependent on us to feed him food everyday. I am concerned if having a pet would have any side effects to pregnant women & to the infant.

My dog is frequently falling sick (vomits, omits blood in motion). It also shreds lot of hair leaving the couch full of its fur. We give bath to it once in a month.

I have recently started having rashes on my legs & arms which is - itchy & leaves red patches. I am concerned if this caused due to the pet.

Also, kindly advise what precautions myself & my family need to take going forward & especially during pregnancy & post-pregnancy.

Thanks,
Vasudha

Cats are actually a much biggger threat to pregnant women because of toxoplasmosis cats can carry.

It's time to have a vet check your dog to find out why so much vomiting and shedding. And see your doctor to find out what is going on with your rashes and what could be causing them. It may not be the dog. You want to be healthy when you begin a pregnancy. Ask too about prenatal vitamins. You should be taking them now already.

Like smoothy said, cats are much more of a danger to a pregnant woman. Getting rid of the dog could cause all sorts of stress and upset for you and your family, also not good for a pregnancy.