Are there any dangerous chemicals in cat litter?

Answer 1

There are several different types of cat litter, some of which contain chemicals, and some that do not. Among the available choices are:

* clay * yellow pine pellets * recycled newspaper pellets * whole corn * ground wheat kernels * red cedar chips * citrus peel * silica gel The most common of these is clay and the new silica gel type, which is more absorbent and harder clumping, but tend not to biodegrade well. Organic litters, such as newspaper pellets, pine pellets, and others with plant-based ingredients, are more biodegradable and less likely to contain chemicals. These products are also more expensive and sometimes difficult to find.

All commercial kitty litters are marketed as being dust-free and non-tracking; however, in my experience both clay and silica gel produce quite a bit of fine dust. While not a hazardous chemical, this can be harmful to pets or humans with respiratory problems such as Asthma, and may cause silicosis (a lung disease), digestive blockages, and urinary tract problems, particularly in male cats.

Bentonite clay and silica gel often contain chemicals to add fragrance, mask odor, or improve clumping, and there is some controversy about whether the chemicals responsible for hardening wet litter can cause "stones" in cats' stomaches or intestines as a result of licking the dust off their hair. Additionally, in vitro experiments have confirmed that bentonite clay in the digestive tract adsorbs potassium (potassium molecules become stuck to the clay), and may inhibit absorption of dietary iron.

Most cat owners use clay- and silica-based kitty litter with few problems. However, some veterinarians recommend using biodegradable, natural cat litter, such as pine or newspaper pellets, whenever possible.