Issues with Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Litter

sickcat · Dec 12, 2014

Has anyone else had adverse reactions using this litter? After covering his business, the fine litter was sticking to my 17 year old male's back paws. I would clean them as best as I could, but some remained. I believe he has ingested some of this litter while grooming himself and it has caused major problems for him. It started with constipation, large feces and extreme straining to evacuate the fecal matter. This in turn led to him refusing to eat. Over the course of 3 weeks he lost 8 pounds (normally, he is 20 pounds). He continued to drink plenty of water, as he always does. He has never had a problem with UTIs or crystals in his urine. I finally took him to the vet where he was examined and blood tests were done. At the exam his eyes were non-reactive to light and the blood tests indicated he was having kidney problems. Both results were shocking to me. The vet also did an X-ray which yielded little in the way of results. The vet attempted to give him an enema and gave him subcutaneous fluids. We elected to bring him home in lieu of hospitalization with IV fluids. The vet suggested an ultrasound ($275) as a diagnostic measure to better see what was going on internally. At this point, I started doing some research, and after a lot of reading, found that the majority of his symptoms he was displaying could be related to the clumping litter. At this point, I have postponed the ultrasound, changed his litter, and changed his food for now. In consultation with his vet, we are going to see how he reacts over the weekend, keeping in mind that he may still need hospitalization to have the IV fluids to clear out his kidneys and urinary system.

Has anyone here had similar issues like this that can be attributed to the litter? I think I am on the right track, but am looking for some validation of my suspicions. I love my cat... he has been a part of our family for 17 years, but at the same time, I do not want to invest thousands of dollars on him if his situation is futile. After all, at 17 years, he is already living on borrowed time.

Any replies are appreciated!!

Kev

stephenq · Dec 12, 2014

SickCat said:
Has anyone else had adverse reactions using this litter? After covering his business, the fine litter was sticking to my 17 year old male's back paws. I would clean them as best as I could, but some remained. I believe he has ingested some of this litter while grooming himself and it has caused major problems for him. It started with constipation, large feces and extreme straining to evacuate the fecal matter. This in turn led to him refusing to eat. Over the course of 3 weeks he lost 8 pounds (normally, he is 20 pounds). He continued to drink plenty of water, as he always does. He has never had a problem with UTIs or crystals in his urine. I finally took him to the vet where he was examined and blood tests were done. At the exam his eyes were non-reactive to light and the blood tests indicated he was having kidney problems. Both results were shocking to me. The vet also did an X-ray which yielded little in the way of results. The vet attempted to give him an enema and gave him subcutaneous fluids. We elected to bring him home in lieu of hospitalization with IV fluids. The vet suggested an ultrasound ($275) as a diagnostic measure to better see what was going on internally. At this point, I started doing some research, and after a lot of reading, found that the majority of his symptoms he was displaying could be related to the clumping litter. At this point, I have postponed the ultrasound, changed his litter, and changed his food for now. In consultation with his vet, we are going to see how he reacts over the weekend, keeping in mind that he may still need hospitalization to have the IV fluids to clear out his kidneys and urinary system.

Has anyone here had similar issues like this that can be attributed to the litter? I think I am on the right track, but am looking for some validation of my suspicions. I love my cat... he has been a part of our family for 17 years, but at the same time, I do not want to invest thousands of dollars on him if his situation is futile. After all, at 17 years, he is already living on borrowed time.

Any replies are appreciated!!

Kev

I have heard of 100's and 100's of cases of sick cats, many many many 100's and I've never heard of an actual case of intestinal blockage due to clumping litter. regardless its fine to switch, but your cat's medical problems - and they appear serious - appear to me to be medically caused, not related to the litter. If you can afford the ultrasound I would urge you to do it.

sarah ann · Dec 13, 2014

Can you add miralax? It will help with the constipation. I don't know the dosage but it is safe for healthy cats. Should probably be safe for cats with kidney issues too as it isn't well absorbed from the GI tract.

I would be adding some pumpkin, psyllium or another fiber to help his digestive tract.

I think the ultrasound is a good idea too.

The kidney issues are much more concerning than the constipation. Kidney problems are deadly. You should ask the vet what stage of kidney failure is he in?

I would do the ultrasound. He could have cancer or something else going on.

sarah ann · Dec 13, 2014

Ask what his kidney values are too? And maybe start a new thread on kidney failure.

seaturtle · Dec 13, 2014

I have been using this and would not go without it. Never noticed any symptoms you mention. I think, too, the problem might well be medical rather than litter. If anything , they ingest less material when they clean their p;aws, since it is so fine and light.

Just MHO

bombay lover · May 26, 2015

I also don't think it's the litter but if it bothers him or you that it sticks to his paws, I had the same problem with my cat because I was using the lightweight he would carry it all over the house but when I bought the regular one it was fine. So if you switch to clump and seal non light weight it should no longer stick to him.

truly · Jul 4, 2016

StevenQ,

I just determined today that the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal that I was sold on for how well it worked has made our cat very sick. She has become obsessed with cleaning her paws and is constantly washing her feet in her water dish. I am quite certain she has ingested particles of the littler that were stuck in her paws and she quit eating her food. The cat littler performs beautifully, but it is not a safe product for my 14 year old cat.

I noticed that there is litter, that she must have groomed off of her paws, on each of her cat beds and perches around the house. I am headed out to buy litter that will not clump and stick to her paws. The convenience of clean up is not important when it is causing stress and health issues in our pet. I had attributed her weight loss and lack of appetite to aging, but now I am certain that was not the problem.

Thanks for sharing your concern. Hope your cat can recover and continue to be a vital part of your family.

Blessings,

Truly

stephenq · Jul 4, 2016

truly said:
StevenQ,

I just determined today that the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal that I was sold on for how well it worked has made our cat very sick. She has become obsessed with cleaning her paws and is constantly washing her feet in her water dish. I am quite certain she has ingested particles of the littler that were stuck in her paws and she quit eating her food. The cat littler performs beautifully, but it is not a safe product for my 14 year old cat.

I noticed that there is litter, that she must have groomed off of her paws, on each of her cat beds and perches around the house. I am headed out to buy litter that will not clump and stick to her paws. The convenience of clean up is not important when it is causing stress and health issues in our pet. I had attributed her weight loss and lack of appetite to aging, but now I am certain that was not the problem.

Thanks for sharing your concern. Hope your cat can recover and continue to be a vital part of your family.

Blessings,

Truly

Thats good information, a cat who actually ingests clumping litter would be at risk. Has she been to a vet? Our newest cat is doing well thanks!

Cplasters · Dec 3, 2017

Wow. Thank you so much for posting! I just switched to this litter a few weeks ago and suddenly one of my cats got very sick. She vomited all night and stopped eating and drinking. I took her to the vet and they said her kidney and liver numbers aren’t good. She got fluids twice and antibiotics. Now her sister is not eating or drinking and I fear it is the same problem.
I just dumped the box when I read these posts and we will see how they do. That clump and seal is horrible- it sticks in large clumps to their paws and they definitely ingest it trying to get it off. Poor babies. I’m very worried about my babies.

nansiludie · Dec 3, 2017

I had bought a box when it first came out and it was very heavily perfumed and dusty. I didn't experience the problem the op did but my cat did get some of the litter grain in her eyes which needed to be flushed. It caused them to sneeze horribly so I completely dumped that litter and never bought it again. Also that litter clumps like cement. I no longer use clumping litter. I had used non clumping prior to buying the new clumping seal but never again will I buy clumping litter.

Issues with Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Litter

sickcat

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stephenq

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sarah ann

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sarah ann

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seaturtle

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bombay lover

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truly

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stephenq

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Cplasters

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nansiludie

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