Cleaning Your Cat’s Litter Box And Toxoplasmosis
Cleaning your cat’s litter box is necessary to keep your feline friend healthy and happy, but it can also be hazardous. Cat feces contain the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause a severe infection in humans called toxoplasmosis. It is important to wear gloves when cleaning the litter box and properly dispose of all waste materials.
Additionally, chlorine dioxide effectively kills Toxoplasma Gondii in water and soil environments. Make sure to mix an appropriate amount of chlorine dioxide with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying it directly onto or around the litter box. Allow the solution to remain for several minutes before wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth. These precautions allow you to safely and effectively clean your cat’s litter box safely without contracting toxoplasmosis.
The Best Way Cleaning Your Cat’s Litter Box With Chlorine Dioxide
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite and can be spread through contact with cats or their waste. Although the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis from your cat is low, it’s still important to take precautions to prevent it. To reduce the risk of infection, you should consider using chlorine dioxide.
Chlorine dioxide is an effective disinfectant that can help kill the toxoplasma gondii parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. To use chlorine dioxide for this purpose, mix a small amount of the chemical with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spray it onto all surfaces that come into contact with your cat or its waste material. Allow the solution to remain for several minutes before wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth. With these steps in place, you can easily keep your home free from toxoplasmosis without worrying about cross-contamination or the risk of infection.
RESIDENTIAL AND PROFESSIONAL BIOHAZARD. TOUGH JOBS, SOFT OR HARD SURFACES, ODOR, AND AIR.
Use disinfectant around animals and pets to disinfect bacteria and eliminate odor (animal bedding, litter boxes, general antibacterial, on dyed fabrics, gentle, hypo-allergenic, and will not damage your skin or clothing when diluted properly. Use on porous, and hard NON-porous surfaces, to eliminate biomatter, for cleanup, mold infestations, remediation, and for disinfection that does not vary with pH or ammonia.
Empty and remove all physical droppings (medical waste, trash, litter, manure, etc.), from surfaces, prior to and/or post disinfection depending on the level of contamination to ensure total removal of biohazards. Prepare an activated solution to a strength consistent with the maximum threshold for commercial fogging agent, powerful biocide, indoor or outdoor premises, to disinfect surfaces, veterinarian facilities, glove, hand, and shoe dip, concrete floors, livestock/agricultural enclosures (remove all people and/or animals for the duration of spray) e.g. turf, coops, barns, pens, chutes, and fixtures.
| Use-Site | CONCENTRATION | Mix EQUAL PARTS 1:1 – NaClO2 (Part A) and HCl (Part B) |
| General Disinfectant | 100 PPM | 100 drops A, with 100 drops B in 1 gallon of water. (4ml = 100 drops) |
| Moderate-Severe | 500 PPM | 500 drops A, with 500 drops B in 1 gallon of water. (5 tsp or 20ml = 500 drops) |
| Heavily Contaminated | 1,000 PPM | 1,000 drops A, with 1,000 drops B in 1 gallon of water. (10 tsp or 40ml = 1,000 drops) |
Mix in the bottom corner of a designated plastic mixing container. Let the solution activate for 1 minute before dilution, then fill with water. Agitate until mixed. Use as a solution, spray, swab, sponge, flush, fill, dip, immerse, or mop in a manner consistent with usual standards. Soak all biohazards, animal handling equipment, forks, shovels, and scrapers before use or disposal.
- SPRAY – allow visible wetness for 5 minutes before drying.
- SPRAY – with OR without litter
- SOAK / IMMERSE – allow to drench or submerge for 1 minute.
- FLUSH / FILL – allow to drench or submerge for 1 minute.
- DIP / RINSE – allow to drench or submerge for 1 minute.
References:
Dun, S., Wood, J., & Martin, B. (2010). Decontamination, cleanup, and associated issues for sites contaminated with chemical, biological, or radiological materials. EPA/600/R-05/083. http://www. epa. gov/NHSRC/pubs/600r05083. pdf. Published October 2005. Accessed March 28.
Min, Z. H. U., Zhang, L. S., Xiao-Fang, P. E. I., & Xin, X. U. (2008). Preparation and evaluation of novel solid chlorine dioxide-based disinfectant powder in single-pack. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 21(2), 157-162.
Kok, K. H., Wong, S. C., Chan, W. M., Wen, L., Chu, A. W. H., Ip, J. D., … & Yuen, K. Y. (2022). Co-circulation of two SARS-CoV-2 variant strains within imported pet hamsters in Hong Kong. Emerging microbes & infections, 11(1), 689-698.
