Some cat litters cause health issues with you or your cat.
When you adopt a cat, you need to provide it with a litter box in which it is able to eliminate and bury its waste. Many types of litter are on the market, including clumping clay and natural litters. Unfortunately, some of these litters, under certain circumstances, pose a danger to both you or your cat.
Sodium Bentonite
Clay-based, clumping cat litters contain a substance known as sodium bentonite. When liquid, such as cat urine, comes into contact with this chemical, it swells to 15 times its normal size and forms a hard clump, according to the Vet Info website. This makes it desirable in terms of litter performance, since you simply scoop the urine and feces away from the litter. Unfortunately, if a cat ingests a large amount of sodium benonite, it causes gastrointestinal upset, constipation or an intestinal blockage, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. For small kittens, this blockage quickly becomes fatal. Some dogs also eat cat feces from the litter box and ingest clumping litter, leading to an intestinal blockage.
Silica
Silica, an inert mineral used in both clumping and crystal litter, has moisture absorbing properties similar to clay. Normally an inert substance, this ingredient absorbs cat urine and controls litter box odors. If while grooming your cat ingests silica, it leads to gastrointestinal upset. Over time, if your cat ingests a large amount of silica, it becomes lodged in the intestines where it expands and absorbs moisture. This prevents absorption of nutrients, leading to dehydration and intestinal blockage, according to Vet Info. Silica dust is a carcinogen in humans and leads to respiratory illness in both you and your cat if inhaled over a long period of time, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Exposure to silica dust leads to silicosis, bronchitis and tuberculosis in humans. Those with respiratory problems or cats with asthma are to avoid litters containing silica dust, which worsens these conditions.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis comes from contact with cat feces and the litter your cat uses. Cats infected with this disease pass it to humans through contact with soiled litter. While not harmful to adults, this disease leads to mental retardation, blindness, learning disabilities, stillbirth or premature birth, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Inhaling the dust from the dirty litter also transmits the disease to humans. To avoid the risk of exposure, have another member of your household clean your cat's litter box if you are pregnant.
Considerations
To avoid any potentially harmful side-effects from clumping litter, consider switching to a natural wheat, corn, pine or paper-based litter instead that contains no sodium bentonite or silica. The ASPCA recommends that kittens less than 4 months old use a non-clumping or natural litter to avoid ingestion of clay-based clumping litters. Kittens or cats suffering from anemia, dietary deficiencies or a condition known as pica eat non-food substances like litter. While a small amount of clay litter passes safely through your cat's intestines after grooming, a larger amount leads to serious health problems.
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