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clumping litter

post #1 of 13
3/6/10 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
When I first adopted Holland, I got a clumping litter and thought it was great. Then I started reading a lot of things that said the clumping litter is bad because it can clog up a cat's lungs when they breathe in the binding clay that causes the clumping. Much of what I read said that is was a danger to kittens, especially, but I was scared enough to not want to use it for Holland, even after she was an adult.

Holland urinates a LOT. She is my first cat so I'm not sure if she urinates more than the "normal" cat, but it would be really nice to have clumping litter. How many of you guys use it for your cats? Is it really a big health risk? I notice when I go to PetCo that most of the litters ARE clumping.

TIA.
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post #2 of 13
3/6/10 at 7:06pm
I use chicken feed ( basically worlds best and swheet scoop only less processed) ... it clumps reasonabley well .. ie not a hard as some clays but better than clumping paper/ wood types..

If you want clumping I advise a NON clay ... corn and wheat ingested are okay as long as no allergies are present
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post #3 of 13
3/6/10 at 7:11pm
I use a clumping litter and have no problems at all. I do have sphynx cats, and they tend to have sensitive respiratory systems. For that reason, I always look for litters that are low dust. On the occasions that I've had to buy something else in a pinch, my cats always end up sneezing from the dust. I buy and recommend Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat, which is available at PetSmart and is 99% dust free. Walmart's Special Kitty brand is very similar and also 99% dust free.

There is a health risk if your cat is eating the litter, so be sure Holland doesn't try to eat her litter, but I've never had any problems with my adult cats. I don't use clumping litter with my kittens, however, because they do sometimes eat litter and it will clump in their bellies.

If your cat does have a problem with eating the litter, but you want the benefit of clumping litter, you could try World's Best. It's made out of corn, and safer if it's ingested. I've not tried it but I'm sure some other members can chime in and give you some advice!

(Also, I have the Litter Robot, which requires clumping litter!)
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post #4 of 13
3/6/10 at 11:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrookeSphynx View Post
I use a clumping litter and have no problems at all. I do have sphynx cats, and they tend to have sensitive respiratory systems. For that reason, I always look for litters that are low dust. On the occasions that I've had to buy something else in a pinch, my cats always end up sneezing from the dust. I buy and recommend Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat,
Absolutely recommend that... That's what I use it too...
If you want to use it for free.... here is a rebate form for 100% of the cost (one rebate per lifetime). It is good for any of the Dr. Elsey's Litter, including Precious Cat, Cat Attract (which is AWESOME too), Kitten Attract, Senior, Long Hair, etc. Just mail it in with the bar code and the receipt and they send you the check.
This litter is excellent! And there is really NO dust. I have used that, and currently using Cat Attract (my store was out of Precious cat, so I bought Cat Attract instead), and it is also dust free.
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post #5 of 13
3/7/10 at 2:47am
I, too, was concerned with the stuff in clumping litter that was dangerous for kitties, so several years ago, I made the switch to World's Best Cat Litter. The girls love it, it clumps well, and it's flushable. When we change out the litter, we sprinkle it on the yard.
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post #6 of 13
3/7/10 at 3:08am
I would never use clumping clay, I use wood pellets which I find last a really long time and no danger to the kitties.
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post #7 of 13
3/7/10 at 3:58am
I wouldn't be without it. I asked my vet and he said he never saw a cat that had a problem due to it.

Kittens should not have it until they are 2 months old.

I wouldn't hesitate to use it. I have 7 seniors who have used it their whole lives.
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post #8 of 13
3/7/10 at 6:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by farleyv View Post
I asked my vet and he said he never saw a cat that had a problem due to it.
I have one that has issues with clay litters, even if they're virtually dustless. He coughs, sneezes, and will have one or both eyes swell up and get red - probably from rubbing dust/clumping additives into his eyes from his paws. I also noticed that handling clay litters can really bother DH and I (he has asthma and I don't know what's wrong with my respiratory system yet) - a cat vigorously digging and kicking that dust up was a problem, too.

Like sharky, and others, I use chicken feed and don't have any issues with it.
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post #9 of 13
3/7/10 at 6:56am
I've always used plain clay litter (non clumping), fragrance free, and have no plans to change in the near future.
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post #10 of 13
3/7/10 at 7:35am
Thread Starter 
Otto, that's what I use, plain, non-clumping clay. I used pine for a while, because I like to TRY to be environmentally conscious as much as possible, but once I got laid off I just couldn't afford it any more. I'm trying to figure out if it would make sense to switch to a clumping litter that may be more expensive but would mean I could go for a longer time between box cleaning.

Thanks for your input everyone, and for the rebate link Carolina! I'll be checking out your suggestions.
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post #11 of 13
3/7/10 at 3:16pm
I use Cat Attract myself - FWIW, I understand there is a real Dr. Elsey who runs a cat-only practice in Denver.

I suppose it's like most other things - certain cats will have issues with X litter and be ok with Y litter. The key will be what kitty likes, when it comes down to it.
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post #12 of 13
3/7/10 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by darlili View Post
I suppose it's like most other things - certain cats will have issues with X litter and be ok with Y litter. The key will be what kitty likes, when it comes down to it.
.... Kitty will say what should be
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post #13 of 13
3/7/10 at 7:59pm
I use clumping litter and used it with Spaz(RB) and Paul used it with Maude. I honestly can not remember the last time I did a total litter change, I see no reason, unless the litter starts to smell but I can't remember it ever getting bad unless I didn't do the litter box for a few days(with Spaz, I have to be on top of it with Nuts and Attitude.)

As long as yours will use it that is what I would do, it's a lot easier.

Taryn
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