Eating the litter...

zoggy

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My two kittens (about a month old maybe) are expirementing with cat litter.
How do I know? When I pull their heads up they try to cover it up, except I can tell because I see little pieces of cat litter around their mouth and then they lick they lips with their tongue.
I tell him "NO!" and then slap him lightly.
Is there any other way to tell them its wrong or what?
Can the cat litter be toxic to them? Its Fresh Step.
 

hissy

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Please do not slap your kittens. Even lightly at that age you can do damage to them including making them fear you, is that what you want?

Use plain clay litter not clumping, tasting litter is a normal kitty behavior. You can also just go to shredded newspaper or use rabbit food (rabbit pellets). Do not use scented litter, or clumping litter on small kittens, just plain clay litter and keep the boxes clean.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I don't think eating cat litter is normal. I would call my vet and ask about it.
 

yosemite

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Hissy is one of our resident experts with much knowledge and experience so I'm sure she can guide you in the right direction.

I agree not to use clumping litter on kitties, especially the clay clumping litters.
 

hissy

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Tiny kittens will sample litter. It is likely that because you adopted your kittens when they were older, that you never saw them do this, but I see it all the time. It generally doesn't last, and most of the time it just comes about because kittens are clumsy and they sometimes tumble headfirst into a litter pan. They don't generally sit down and make a meal of kitty litter, but they will sample it from time to time-
 

gayef

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I raise kittens and am the one who introduces them to the litter for the first time - I am here to tall ya that they ALL will try to eat it. I have NEVER seen one that didn't. They quit after they get a good snoot full of it but they do it and it is normal kitten behavior.

Yosemite is right - Hissy is a well-respected, very knowledgable member of TCS and the cat community at large. She knows her stuff - in fact, I have been known to call her for advice from time to time and trust her without hesitation. She has never, ever steered me wrong.

~gf~
 
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zoggy

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I see.
They dont fall in it, once theyre inside they have a sit and they start licking it :/
So ok, I wont slap them but do I still say "NO!"?

I also think they are Egyptian Mau (or Neko Mau), they look SO much like the Egyptian Mau. Everything is similar except they dont have spots yet, instead its like little black stripes. But they are still pretty young.
But what are the chances of finding 6 Egyptian Mau's in a box in New York?
 

stormy

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All young kitten we've ever had tried to eat litter as well! Just have to keep an eye on them and keep it wiped out of their mouths.
 

kluchetta

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It's just like little kids who walk around and put everything into their mouth. You don't have to tell them no, they will just figure it out themselves, but in the meantime, get a different litter. I liked "Swheat". It's made of wheat and clumps somewhat and smells pretty good.
 

hissy

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I would recommend again you stay with plain clay litter- anything that smells like food like swheat scoop will just encourage their taste testing. They will grow out of this fairly quickly- they just all seem to do it-
 

kluchetta

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That's a good point, Hissy - my kittens weren't really taste-testers, and if she's actually catching them at it you're right.
 

rosiemac

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Sophie uses to roll around in her litter tray and nibble on a few bits of litter. I remember the day i picked her up she was all dusty because she's just been playing in the litter tray.

Please don't slap her just wipe it from her mouth gently because she's only tiny and doesn't know any different
 
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zoggy

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Originally Posted by rosiemac

Sophie uses to roll around in her litter tray and nibble on a few bits of litter. I remember the day i picked her up she was all dusty because she's just been playing in the litter tray.

Please don't slap her just wipe it from her mouth gently because she's only tiny and doesn't know any different
Okay, I see.
I wont slap her Ill just wipe it off and say "NO!" loudly.
Also, I really think they are Egyptian Mau but I dont see any spots, just black stripes on a silver/gray body. Everything else matches though.
The scarab on their head and their speed.
Also, do all cats make that funny noise when you feed them?
The one that goes:
MeowMeow meow meowmeowmeowmeowmeow

Its just a bunch of consecutive meows and it sounds so cute and funny.
Do all cats do that?
 
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