Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone!

I've read articles discouraging the use of clay-based clumping litter, because if ingested or inhaled over a long-term period, it can cause medical problems -- irritable bowel, kidney disease, respiratory problems, etc. I've also heard the argument that there are no documented cases of cats getting sick or dying from ingested litter.

I'd like to know what you all think about that. I've been experimenting with a lot of clumping litters. I love how it's made my life easier, and I'd hate to give it up. I tried the alternative "safe" types, like World's Best Cat Litter... I sprinkled a bit on the bottom of the litter pan, covered it with their regular litter, and they absolutely refused to go there. I'm now using Swheatscoop, and while they don't mind using that brand, I'm not entirely happy with it. (I'll spare you the long story!) I've also tried a recycled paper type, but I wasn't happy with that either.

Seems like the only type of litter I've been happy with is the regular clay based clumping litter. I really don't want to compromise their health, tho. When I was experimenting with clay based clumping litter, one of my cats coughed up a hairball that had a lot of sand in it. I assumed it was litter, since my cats are strictly indoor. She is not the type to eat litter, so she must have licked it off her paws. I am concerned about what this can do to a cat's system, if ingested daily over a long period of time.

What do you all think? Any comments will be appreciated.

I have read a lot about this controversy and I am still continuing to use the clumping litter. You may want to monitor the cat carefully for signs of intestinal discomfort - also give your vet a call and ask about the sand in the hairball. He/she might be able to give you a little more insight.

I would not use clumping kitty litter on young kittens, however.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I had never heard of this controversy. Thank you so much for bringing it. We have a cat here that has irriable bowel syndrome.
It has gotten really bad in the last week. I am going to mention to his owner that maybe it could be the litter and have her call her cat vet. Yes her vet is only a cat vet. I find that so strange but great because the vet does so much research for on cat dieases.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

>>I've read articles discouraging the use of clay-based clumping litter, because if ingested or inhaled over a long-term period, it can cause medical problems -- irritable bowel, kidney disease, respiratory problems, etc. I've also heard the argument that there are no documented cases of cats getting sick or dying from ingested litter.
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>>I'd like to know what you all think about that.>>>

I've heard of it but don't know if it's true. I've also heard of kittens injesting it and then it clogging up in their system, causing death. In a way, it does sort of make sense that it could happen because kittens are likely to lick their paws to clean them. If the paws had litter on it, they could ingest it that way. And the litter is supposed to harden and form a clump so it makes you wonder what would happen if the cat/kitten ingested it.

Maybe you could post this question on the Ask the Holistic Vet board on this forum and see what he says about the clumping litter. I'd be curious to learn his thoughts on it too.
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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

Thank you, gocatgo and everyone else for your responses. I may take your suggestion and post it in the holistic vet board. I'm very new here... just getting accustomed to everything.

I've tried Feline Pine, and I liked that it cut down on the smell, but I still prefer clumping type litter better. I think it's because the pine pellets disintegrate when wet, and I'd get a little grossed out seeing my cats walking around the house with green "powder" all over their paws. I guess my cats are diggers, even with the Feline Pine.

As for World's Best Cat Litter, I was really disappointed that they didn't like it. They acted like it was the weirdest thing I've ever done -- putting food in their litter box? One cat would eat it, another was afraid of it, and another acted very strangly. In any event, they avoided the litter boxes, and used the rug in front of the box or the hall carpet.