Another take on the litter question

Since my vet thinks Jordan may have Asthma, I've been trying to think of all the things that could aggrivate it. One of the things I've wondered about it the litter I'm using. I've been using Worlds Best Cat Litter, however I wonder if the fact that it's corn based could aggrivate his lungs? So I've been trying to figure out if there is a LOW dust litter that is scoopable & works well for a multi cat house hold. Keeping in mind my bug's (Jordan) possbile asthma.

Have you heard before that corn causes or makes asthma worse?

Originally Posted by Rang_27

Since my vet thinks Jordan may have Asthma, I've been trying to think of all the things that could aggrivate it. One of the things I've wondered about it the litter I'm using. I've been using Worlds Best Cat Litter, however I wonder if the fact that it's corn based could aggrivate his lungs? So I've been trying to figure out if there is a LOW dust litter that is scoopable & works well for a multi cat house hold. Keeping in mind my bug's (Jordan) possbile asthma.

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socks has astma too, i use catsan

When I first adopted Dexter I was using an inexpensive non-clumping litter ( I can't think of the name right now) that I could buy in the supermarket. After about a week, he began wheezing & having difficulty breathing. I called my vet & warned them that I was coming in with an emergency. After chest x-rays, blood work & an EKG...heart problems were ruled out & he was diagnosed & treated for asthma.

You are doing exactly what I did....a search for the cause.

I finally decided that his attack might have been caused by the dust from the litter he was using. I won't go into the details but I tried every brand of litter the PetCo store near me carried. For one reason or another I had to return it. That is one good thing about a big pet store...they will take food or litter back if you can't use it...even if it has been opened. Finally, I settled on their store brand...PetGold Clumping Unsented. Dexter had gone almost almost 5 years without an attack.

PetGold is still dusty but it is odor free and not as dusty as the first one I used. I am not suggesting that you use PetGold. I am saying that you might need to go through several brands, if litter is the cause of the asthma, before you find one that works for you.

I would love to find a non-dusty, unscented litter that both my cats could use. Maybe you will get some answers here ... that we both can use.

You're a good cat Mama. I hope your furbaby never has to suffer an asthma attack again.

The Dr.Elsey's Precious Cat litter is 99.9% (or something like that) dust free. Its a clumping litter and comes in several formulas including unscented. I've been very happy with it so far.

I aint sure what to say.. I have asthma and use chn egg crumbles similiar to worlds best .. I have less trouble than with regular litter

I have asthma too.
I'm confused about the litter that you are using. I looked up World's Best...it is made from corn. What litter are you using that is made from "chn egg crumbles?" What are "chn egg crumbles?"

Originally Posted by sharky

I aint sure what to say.. I have asthma and use chn egg crumbles similiar to worlds best .. I have less trouble than with regular litter

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Originally Posted by xocats

I have asthma too.
I'm confused about the litter that you are using. I looked up World's Best...it is made from corn. What litter are you using that is made from "chn egg crumbles?" What are "chn egg crumbles?"

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It is chicken egg layer crumbles... aka corn that is similiar toe shape and texture of worlds best with viatimans in case I had chns

You may want to consider one of the crystal type litters (several brands) as they are 100% dust free, good odor control, and last a long time (1 box can last 3 weeks for one cat). They are expensive, but also very safe as they are chemically inert.

You scoop the poop and the crystal absorb the urine. You mix up the crystal every day so there are always crystals avaialble to obsorb more urine, and when there aren't enough crystals left to do this you dump them and start over.

Thanks for the info. Right now he actually is doing fairly well. He's never had a really bad attack, but he has occasional rounds of coughing & only a couple times has had wheezing after. My vet has not acctually done any testing, but from what I described she told me to stop using hair spray, any aresol cleaners, or any product that aresols into the air as it will irritate his lungs & since I stoped using hair spray & took out all my plug in air freshners (this made me sad to do, but it's for my baby) he's only had 1 episode of coughing & that was right before he got a URI, so I think that was the problem. I was just thinking about the litter & wanted info ahead of time incase it became a problem. I know that feline pine is close to releasing a clumping litter, but I worry about what that would do to him & I did see a pelleted clumping paper based litter, but read that it has poor odor control & frankly not being able to use air freshners odor control is important. Especially with 3 litter boxes in a 400 sq ft. appartment.

I love the idea of using crystal type litter. Several years ago I tried it. Sadie just want to chew & play with it. I had to get it our of my place right away. She is much older now...maybe I will try some again. Thanks

Originally Posted by stephenq

You may want to consider one of the crystal type litters (several brands) as they are 100% dust free, good odor control, and last a long time (1 box can last 3 weeks for one cat). They are expensive, but also very safe as they are chemically inert.

You scoop the poop and the crystal absorb the urine. You mix up the crystal every day so there are always crystals avaialble to obsorb more urine, and when there aren't enough crystals left to do this you dump them and start over.

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I am so glad that your furbaby did not have a bad asthma attack. Dexter did...it scared me to death. It sounds like you are on top of the problem & doing well.

Originally Posted by Rang_27

Thanks for the info. Right now he actually is doing fairly well. He's never had a really bad attack, but he has occasional rounds of coughing & only a couple times has had wheezing after. My vet has not acctually done any testing, but from what I described she told me to stop using hair spray, any aresol cleaners, or any product that aresols into the air as it will irritate his lungs & since I stoped using hair spray & took out all my plug in air freshners (this made me sad to do, but it's for my baby) he's only had 1 episode of coughing & that was right before he got a URI, so I think that was the problem. I was just thinking about the litter & wanted info ahead of time incase it became a problem. I know that feline pine is close to releasing a clumping litter, but I worry about what that would do to him & I did see a pelleted clumping paper based litter, but read that it has poor odor control & frankly not being able to use air freshners odor control is important. Especially with 3 litter boxes in a 400 sq ft. appartment.

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