stove pellet litter safe for kittens?

This is a question that folks that work with rescue groups can probably help me with. I know from my past experience litter box training little kittens that they start off eating both regular clay and clumping cat litter. With my last batch of kittens I started them with Blue Buffalo pellet litter, which is made with walnut shells, then switched to clay Jonny Cat, then finally clumping litter. The current batch of newborns I'm fostering has several weeks before I have to start worrying about it, but the rescue group I'm fostering them for uses pine stove pellets for cat litter at the shelter. I'm wondering if that would be safe to use with new kittens, or if there any oils or potential hazards with using the wood pellets? I'm currently using a clumping litter for their mother, but I will need to switch to something kitten-safe once they start getting around. 

Absolutely safe! I use pellets in my cat room, which houses recovering cats, moms with babies and litters of kittens.

They ALL use pellets just perfectly, and they are completely safe.

They are simply made from wood sawdust compressed and have no chemicals or additives.

@catwoman707   - Thought I would give you a break from all my questions, but you come to the rescue again anyway! Thank you! (again!)

 No prob! Glad to be able to help  

Is there a particular brand that is safest to use, with no added accelerants or such? I can get these at Lowes or Tractor Supply in my area, but I am housebound, so I have to send the hubby to get it. He is not great with details like reading bags, and can be very impatient. If I send him to get something specific, he will do it happily though. I am a new mom. The cat that I took in had her babies Sunday morning, and I am clueless about absolutely everything. I want to do the best that I can for her and the kittens. The litter training will be important, since I will have to keep her and the kittens inside until everyone can be spayed or neutered (she was an outdoor stray and does not like being inside at all). Thanks in advance for help!

WickedGirl said:

Is there a particular brand that is safest to use, with no added accelerants or such? I can get these at Lowes or Tractor Supply in my area, but I am housebound, so I have to send the hubby to get it. He is not great with details like reading bags, and can be very impatient. If I send him to get something specific, he will do it happily though. I am a new mom. The cat that I took in had her babies Sunday morning, and I am clueless about absolutely everything. I want to do the best that I can for her and the kittens. The litter training will be important, since I will have to keep her and the kittens inside until everyone can be spayed or neutered (she was an outdoor stray and does not like being inside at all). Thanks in advance for help!

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Actually Lowe's is the cheapest place to get pellets.

A 40lb bag is like $5.88 or so.

There are no additives at all, since these are for stoves and wood burners, which people inhale fumes from and keep warm, or cook with, so no, just the large bag of regular pellets.

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but can someone please explain these stove wood pellets? I've heard of them. Are they equivalent to feline pine or equisicat pine pellets in that they're just sawdust compressed into pellets that kind of disintegrate when they pee on them? If so, then that seems much cheaper than feline pine!!

This looks identical to feline pine: http://www.lowes.com/pd_87059-62268..._product_qty_sales_dollar|1&searchQueryType=1 

If they have no additives, then it's basically equivalent, right?

rlavach said:

 
I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but can someone please explain these stove wood pellets? I've heard of them. Are they equivalent to feline pine or equisicat pine pellets in that they're just sawdust compressed into pellets that kind of disintegrate when they pee on them? If so, then that seems much cheaper than feline pine!!

This looks identical to feline pine: http://www.lowes.com/pd_87059-62268..._product_qty_sales_dollar|1&searchQueryType=1 

If they have no additives, then it's basically equivalent, right?

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I dont see the link, but many pellets used for burning in owens are useful here too, and are used for cats too.

I think it may be more touchy with small animals and possible small kittens.  Its good to be sure there is no terpentine, which is common in pine pellets.  For older kittens and adult cats, it doesnt matter much, they wont inhale so much of these terpentine gases.

StefanZ said:

 
I dont see the link, but many pellets used for burning in owens are useful here too, and are used for cats too.

I think it may be more touchy with small animals and possible small kittens.  Its good to be sure there is no terpentine, which is common in pine pellets.  For older kittens and adult cats, it doesnt matter much, they wont inhale so much of these terpentine gases.

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I understand. My cats are adults, but I'll check for turpentine anyway. Thank you for your help! 

There is no turpentine, nothing is added.

@StefanZ  yes, they are sawdust compressed into pellets, when theyre peed on they go back to sawdust and scoop easily. Also can sift them when cleaning litterbox, which saves from tossing good solid pellets too.

catwoman707 said:

 
There is no turpentine, nothing is added.

@StefanZ  yes, they are sawdust compressed into pellets, when theyre peed on they go back to sawdust and scoop easily. Also can sift them when cleaning litterbox, which saves from tossing good solid pellets too.

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But if the sawdust is from pine, there is some natural turpentine.  In minute amounts to be sure, but they are.

Its the other day when I tried to read on about small animals, alike mice, gerbils and the like, whom has as standard some pellets or hay to cover the floor of their cages,  they didnt recommended to have sawdust on the cages floor, just because it contained some turpentine.  And these small animals, living in these cages and thus living in the middle of this sawdust, it isnt healthy for them.

So they recommended other litters for small animals.

Of course, for cats who ARE bigger than these, even when kittens, and dont living in the middle of it all, but just visiting occasionally, it doesnt matter really.   its just a point to remember,  if if if.

Thank you catwoman! I really appreciate the help! I now see that some vet has his own brand of clumping litter for kittens, but don't you all say no clumping litter for several weeks old kittens learning to use the litter box? Why on earth is a vet marketing this clumping litter? It is all so confusing for a noob human kitten mom! :doh3:

Yeah that's definitely a big question.

The reason is because when young kittens first start using the litter box, they tend to taste/eat a bit, and clumping type would obviously have a potential to cause a big problem.

catwoman707 said:

 
Yeah that's definitely a big question.

The reason is because when young kittens first start using the litter box, they tend to taste/eat a bit, and clumping type would obviously have a potential to cause a big problem.

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The same warning of course, if you happen to have human infant babies, whom too tend to crawle around and taste everyting.

So having infants inhome,  be sure its non clumping litter for your cats...  Its safest so.

For those who may come back & read this thread months from now, wood pellets may be seasonal, depending on your area. My Home Depot in my urban town had none left since its the beginning of spring. The Home Depot near my job is in a more rural area of NJ, so they had 1 pallet left. 40lb $4.98. They both said they only carry it in winter. So for me, I'll have to stock up next winter to help me last through the summer. With 3 cats, I'll go through it quick!