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- Debbie13
- Tina22
- Carraig
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» Tina22 - Re: clumping litter
In response to message posted by Debbie13:I have heard of it causing digestive problems due to its clumping nature if ingested, this CAN cause blockages, constipation and problems absorbing food as the same clumping action occurs in the stomach although some peaple will tell you most cats use it quite happily for years with no problems and Im sure they do, I guess a particuarly dusty type of litter could in theory cause respiratory problems as well,steer away from the dusty types and discard dusty contents at the bottom of the bag.
You didnt say in your post if this concerns you with your own cats but if worried try changing to the new "crystal" type litters, off the top of my head Bob Martin I know do a version and there is another called Citycat but there are other manufacturers. Ive found them to be cost effective (a small bag lasts a long time),cleaner and as a added bonus they seem to be much much better at odour control.
(They dont take much more time to clean out even though they dont clump,scoop out faeces then just push the cleaner stuff off the top and clear out the lower layers ,relay the cleaner stuff at the bottom then top up with fresh.)
Only disadvantage I've found is the crystals are far lighter and easier to kick or walk out of the litter tray but I found a simple doormat placed outside the litter tray stops my cats from walking it everywhere and you could always use a covered type litter tray.
Other options- use the natural earth type litters or the pelleted sawdust types, again you wont get clumping versions of these but a extra minute clearing out trays would put your mind at rest and not expose your cat/s to any potential risk.
If cats are eating cat litter purposely rather than just ingesting off their paws you should consult your vet.
-- posted by Tina22
» Carraig - Re: Re: clumping litter
In response to message posted by Tina22:I use clumping litter in my cattery, because I prefer it's sanitary properties, e.g. immediate removal of the urine.
Some types have more dust than others. This is a matter of trial and error, so anyone considering clumping might try several brands, and assess their quality.
I also use large, covered litter pans, most of which have charcoal filter panels in the tops to help filter odors, but you'll find that they also catch the dust. Since cats generally don't hang around after they have covered their deposits, they are not breathing in a great deal. The lids on the pans help to keep any disturbed dust from floating out and around the room. Some sensitive cats may be more prone to irritation from the dust than others, but that would extend to any dusty product, including clay, and possibly the wood fibres in pellets.
There is litter made from recycled newspapers, which comes in pellet form. It's highly absorbable, and non-dusty. But more expensive than other choices. Some people have trained their cats to simply use shredded newspaper which is changed daily, with solids removed as they are left. There can however, be problems with wet paper and ink, which although it is now primarily vegetable dyes, makes for dirty feet.
A lot of people have turned to the same wood pellets that are used to fuel some of the new stoves for heating. These are incredibly cheap, very absorbent, and the material can be composted for areas/vegetation that appreciates acidic content.
The pearls are a very neat product, but also great for playing with. They are also expensive, particularly when someone has a loose stool and you need to throw part of them out. And as Tina noted, they do get kicked around a lot.
As for the issue of clumping and digestive problems, yes it is true. I have heard of several kittens or cats becoming impacted and requiring surgery. Scoopable when wet, becomes very slimy. When it dries it's hard as a rock. I know people who pore it down mole tunnels in their lawn and turn on the garden hose.
In our cattery, kittens are not introduced to it until after eight weeks, when most have stopped sampling everything in sight.
We also dry our bathtub and sinks to cut down on wet paws, and when a cat is bathed, it's not allowed access to a pan for a couple of hours or more, until the feet are totally dry. I have never yet had a problem with a cat picking a little of it off their feet. I think that might occur only if they got very wet and clumped. If you watch a cat that steps in a wet spot in the litterbox, they shake immediately and likely for a while after they get out of the box. This dislodges the best part of what they have picked up, before it sets in their fur.
I think the trick is to be aware of whether your cat does have strange tastes, and whether you see them cleaning their feet a lot after using the box. If you or your vet suspect litter is a problem, you can gradually change them from scoopable to something else.
-- posted by Carraig
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