Litter allergy?

amandak21

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Hi everyone! looking for a little advice, my 3/4 month old kitten has started biting and licking his feet way too much leaving them swollen and red, sometimes even bloody!
After a trip to the vet i was told it was most likely a litter allergy (i've been using the crystal style litter) and i should switch to a clay based one. Anyone out there have a similar situation? or a recomendation for a good clumping litter? Thank You!
 

motoko9

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You'll get a lot of different opinions about litter on this site. For clay-based, a number of posters here seem to like Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter. I personally like World's Best, although some people don't like the smell, and it is expensive compared to some other litters (although I find it lasts a long time). However, World's Best is made from corn rather than clay.
 

stephanietx

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It's very possible that he's reacting to something in the litter. I'd try a different based litter such as World's Best or Swheat Scoop.
 

nekochan

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I've been having problems like this with several of my cats. I ended up switching mine to crystal litter because other types were getting caught in their feet and making the infections worse.
I would suggest maybe try a paper based litter? I've used the Nature's Miracle clumping paper litter.
 

ziggy'smom

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Try Worlds Best or S'Weat Scoop. He shouldn't be allergic to those. As far as clumping clay litter goes I like Fresh Step or Scoop Away (I think Fresh Step can be bought with crystals but it comes without too). I use a store brand litter though which I actually think is really good and would highly recommend it if you can find it. It's sold at Kroger owned stores as PetPride Scooping Cat Litter or at Safeway stores, including Dominicks, as Priority Scoopable litter.
 

mrblanche

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There seems to be a lot of chemical additives in the crystal litter. They're there for us, not the cat, who would just as soon the litter didn't have any scents but his own.

I would try a good-quality clumping clay litter that says no additives (particularly, no scent additives). That would be a good place to start.

Poor kitty!
 
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amandak21

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I had the sticking problem with the crystals, I'd have to pick the things out of the poor little guys feet! I'm even wondering if his skin is just more sensitive in general because of the type of cat he is?

I'm trying this new fresh step natural clay clumping. As soon as i filled the box i could tell how much softer it looked.

So I'll give this a try for a month or so and if i don't see improvement it sounds like I'll give that Worlds Best a try!

Thanks everyone!
 

nekochan

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I was using wheat-based litter before but I had to switch because my pet sitter is allergic to wheat. Then I realized it was probably not a good idea to have grain-based litter around my cat Mr Grey with his multiple allergy issues (my vet said to stay away from grains in his diet and I'm not sure having them all over his feet was a good idea either...)
 
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