Ammonia in the Litter Box?

Graceful-Lily

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So, I saw a commercial the other day about a new cat litter with "break through technology" which is designed to stop harmful ammonia fumes or toxins from getting into the air and into our lungs. I've never heard about ammonia in cat urine but I have in other animals. Is anyone familiar with this? And if so, how do I protect myself and my family?
 

IndyJones

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All urine has ammonia in it. It's why it smells like urine.

It's not really anything to be concerned about. The commercial is simply saying it has stuff added to the litter to make it smell nice.
 
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Graceful-Lily

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Oh, okay. I see. But it said that the ammonia can cause health problems in humans as well. And my parents have been begging me to take the litter box out of my bedroom.
 

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As long as you scoop the litter box at least once a day and the room is ventilated somehow (window, door, vent, etc), the amount of ammonia in cat urine won't get to a toxic level even if you forget to scoop for a day.
 

msserena

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Cat urine is FULL of ammonia. Haven't you ever seen footage of a multi-cat rescue where they're living in a basement or something & everyone has to wear respirators? I know for me, as I've got breathing issues & a sensitive nose, most litters will smell after a few days. I've tried a lot of different kinds/brands. There have been some where when I'm scooping out the chunks, they break open & the ammonia rushes into your nose & even after you're done your nose is burning, you blow your nose, it's still there, you try to wash your nose out, nope, only time & fresh air takes it away.

So you can either scoop out frequently or get a litter that keeps odors down. I've just discovered Oko Cat clumping & I am completely sold. I haven't scooped out the box in at least 2 days & I have 3 cats. I don't smell anything! No dust, no odor, I barely even smell an odor when they poop. I don't know what they treat the wood shavings with but it works & it's awesome!
 

MoochNNoodles

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I will be honest; it sounds like a marketing strategy to me.  
  Daily scooping and using enough litter so it won't reach the bottom (3-4") should be enough.  I'd be more bothered by the dust from some litters coating my bedroom.  


As others have said; there is ammonia in all urine and that is why you'll hear not to used ammonia based cleaners when you clean up urine accidents.  It can actually draw them back to that area.  
 

orange&white

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Like others said, as long as you are keeping the cat box clean then it shouldn't harm your health.  Cats who eat nothing by dry kibble, or mostly kibble, have stronger ammonia concentration and more urine odor.  The ammonia is much less concentrated with a canned or raw "wet" diet, or if you can get a kibble-fed cat to drink a lot of water (which is hard to do).
 
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Graceful-Lily

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Cat urine is FULL of ammonia. Haven't you ever seen footage of a multi-cat rescue where they're living in a basement or something & everyone has to wear respirators? I know for me, as I've got breathing issues & a sensitive nose, most litters will smell after a few days. I've tried a lot of different kinds/brands. There have been some where when I'm scooping out the chunks, they break open & the ammonia rushes into your nose & even after you're done your nose is burning, you blow your nose, it's still there, you try to wash your nose out, nope, only time & fresh air takes it away.

So you can either scoop out frequently or get a litter that keeps odors down. I've just discovered Oko Cat clumping & I am completely sold. I haven't scooped out the box in at least 2 days & I have 3 cats. I don't smell anything! No dust, no odor, I barely even smell an odor when they poop. I don't know what they treat the wood shavings with but it works & it's awesome!
No. Haven't seen footage.

Anyways, thank you all.
 
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