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PubMed This is a summary of 30 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Obstetrics · Toxoplasmosis

How Do You Get Toxoplasmosis In Pregnancy Besides Cats?

At a Glance

Pregnant women can contract toxoplasmosis without owning a cat through undercooked meat, unwashed produce, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated soil. Good hygiene, thoroughly cooking meat, and wearing gardening gloves are the best ways to prevent infection.

In this answer

5 sections

01

The Meat You Eat

02

Fruits, Vegetables, and Unpasteurized Dairy

03

Contaminated Soil and Gardening

04

How Long Does the Parasite Survive Outdoors?

05

How to Protect Yourself

Even if you do not own a cat, you can still contract Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. For pregnant women, understanding how this infection spreads is critical, as a new infection during pregnancy can be passed to your developing baby [1][2]. The most common non-feline ways people get infected are by eating undercooked meat, consuming unwashed produce, drinking unpasteurized milk, or inadvertently swallowing contaminated soil while gardening [3][4].

The Meat You Eat

Eating raw or undercooked meat is a leading way humans contract toxoplasmosis [4][5]. Farm animals and wildlife can become infected while grazing and store the parasite in their muscle tissues [6]. If you eat that meat without fully cooking or freezing it first, the parasite can be passed to you [7].

  • High-risk meats: Undercooked pork, lamb, and sheep meat are recognized as major sources of human infection [6][8].
  • Wild game: Venison and wild boar also frequently carry the parasite [6][9].
  • Cross-contamination: Handling raw meat and inadvertently touching your mouth, or failing to clean cutting boards and knives, can spread the infection to other foods [10].

Fruits, Vegetables, and Unpasteurized Dairy

Free-roaming and stray cats infected with toxoplasmosis shed microscopic parasite eggs, called oocysts, in their feces [11]. These eggs frequently end up in gardens, farms, and local water sources [12].

  • Unwashed produce: Fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil can carry the parasite [3]. Root vegetables (like radishes or carrots) are prone to carrying higher numbers of oocysts because they grow directly in the dirt [13]. Leafy greens can also trap contaminated soil between their leaves.
  • Unpasteurized dairy: Consuming raw or unpasteurized milk, particularly goat’s milk, is a documented source of infection [14][15]. The parasite can be shed directly into the milk of infected animals [16].
  • Untreated water: Drinking unfiltered or untreated water—such as from a private well or a stream while hiking—has been linked to toxoplasmosis transmission [17][18].

Contaminated Soil and Gardening

Soil acts as a massive environmental reservoir for the Toxoplasma parasite [19]. Gardening or doing yard work without gloves is a significant risk factor for pregnant women [20]. Microscopic amounts of contaminated soil can easily be transferred from dirty hands to your mouth [21].

How Long Does the Parasite Survive Outdoors?

You might wonder how a garden could remain infectious if a cat hasn’t been there recently. The Toxoplasma parasite is incredibly resilient. Its eggs have a thick, structurally sound double-layered wall that protects them from harsh conditions [22][23].

  • Long-lasting survival: In moist, temperate environments like damp soil or water, these eggs can survive and remain infectious for months or even years [24][23].
  • Weather impact: They are notoriously hard to kill. Usually, only extreme environmental conditions, such as very high temperatures combined with low humidity, will quickly destroy them [25][26].

How to Protect Yourself

Because these non-cat sources are so common in daily life, maintaining good hygiene and food safety habits is your best defense against maternal infection and the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis [1][27]:

  • Check your temperatures: Cook all meat thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure whole cuts (like roasts or steaks) reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F, ground meats reach 160°F, and all poultry reaches 165°F [10].
  • Freeze first: Freezing meat for several days at sub-zero temperatures (below 0°F) before cooking significantly reduces the risk of infection by destroying the parasite’s tissue cysts [28][29].
  • Wash up: Scrub all cutting boards, utensils, and your hands with hot, soapy water immediately after handling raw meat or unwashed, dirty produce [10].
  • Scrub your produce: Peel or thoroughly scrub all fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them [3].
  • Protect your hands: Wear gloves whenever gardening, handling soil, or working in a sandbox, and wash your hands vigorously with warm water and soap afterward [20].
  • Avoid raw dairy and water: Stick to pasteurized milk (especially avoiding raw goat’s milk) and avoid drinking untreated water [15][30].

If you have already tested positive for toxoplasmosis, please know that all hope is not lost. Your doctor has specific, effective treatment protocols available that can help protect your developing baby [27].

Common questions in this guide

Can I get toxoplasmosis if I don't have a cat?
Yes. While cats are well-known carriers, humans most commonly contract toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked meat, consuming unwashed produce, drinking unpasteurized milk, or swallowing contaminated soil while gardening.
Which meats carry the highest risk for toxoplasmosis?
Undercooked pork, lamb, and sheep meat are recognized as major sources of the infection. Wild game, such as venison and wild boar, also frequently carry the parasite in their muscle tissues.
How can I prevent toxoplasmosis while gardening?
To protect yourself, always wear gloves when gardening, handling soil, or working in a sandbox. The parasite can survive in damp soil for years, so it is critical to wash your hands vigorously with warm water and soap immediately afterward.
Why is unpasteurized milk a toxoplasmosis risk?
Consuming raw or unpasteurized dairy, particularly goat's milk, is a documented source of infection. The parasite can be shed directly into the milk of infected animals.
If I accidentally ate undercooked meat while pregnant, when should I be tested?
You should contact your obstetrician for guidance on the proper testing timeline. They will evaluate your exposure and recommend a specific screening schedule to check for an active infection.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.What specific prenatal screening schedule do you recommend for toxoplasmosis given my risk factors?
  2. 2.If I realize I recently ate undercooked meat or drank unpasteurized milk, how long should I wait before being tested for an active infection?
  3. 3.Are there specific physical signs or symptoms of a new toxoplasmosis infection I should be watching for?
  4. 4.If I do test positive for a recent infection during this pregnancy, what treatment protocols are available to protect my baby?

Questions For You

Tap a prompt to share your answer — we'll use it plus this page's context to start a tailored conversation.

Related questions

Can Congenital Toxoplasmosis Cause Late-Onset Eye Problems?Toxoplasmosis Before Pregnancy: Can I Pass It to My Baby?Does a Normal Ultrasound Rule Out Toxoplasmosis?Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Coping With Guilt and AnxietyWhat Are Pyrimethamine & Sulfadiazine Side Effects?What is an IgG Avidity Test for Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy?Why Wait 4 Weeks for a Toxoplasmosis Amniocentesis?

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This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your obstetrician or healthcare provider regarding toxoplasmosis risks and pregnancy testing.

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