Is Clumping Litter Dangerous For Kittens
The potential problem with kittens and clumping litter is that, by nature, these litters expand when they come into contact with liquids. Therefore, kittens that ingest a fair amount of litter may potentially develop an intestinal blockage if the litter expands enough in the stomach or small intestine that it can’t move through. This would be more of a concern in young kittens than older ones or adults for the following reasons:
- Young kittens have smaller diameter intestines. Older kittens and cats have bigger intestines that are less likely to become blocked unless very large amounts of clumping litter are ingested.
- Eating non-food items is more common in young kittens. Some babies, including the feline variety, explore the world by putting things in their mouths. Kittens are also super playful, and they may jump in the litter box, roll around, play with the litter, and even eat the clumps. This behavior decreases as the kitten ages.
When it’s time to switch to clumping litter when your cat is older, do so very gradually. Start by mixing just a small amount of the new litter in with the old. Take about three to four weeks to completely change over, so your cat doesn’t develop a litter aversion.
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What We Didnt Like:
- One of the more expensive options on the market
- Can be tricky to scoop solid waste
- Some cats may dislike the texture of the pellets
Now that we reviewed the best cat litters you can buy, lets build a foundation of knowledge. Well start with the qualities of the best cat litter, then discuss the different types of litter and how they measure up to those requirements.
Pioneer Pet Smartcat All Natural Cat Litter Review
Clumping grass litter with a fine texture
This grass litter has a fine, sand-like texture that kittens love to walk and dig in. It provides excellent odor control naturally without using any added fragrances. The litter creates solid clumps that are easy to scoop, helping to keep the litter box clean and fresh
Its 99% dust-free, made without any additives, and is lightweight, so transporting and pouring the litter is easy.
The grass used in this litter is farm-grown in the United States and is certified GMO-free. Buy It
Pros
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The Best Cat Litter For Kittens Reviewed
Updated: August 4, 2022 by Kristen Chapple
While I had always grown up with cats, when I got my first kitten of my very own as an adult, I discovered that I had a lot to learn! I knew that kittens have special needs when it came to food, but I didnt realize until I was adopting my new furry bundle that they also have specific needs when it comes to cat litter.
This is because kittens have a tendency to eat their litter, either unintentionally, because it gets stuck in their fur and they eat it while cleaning themselves, or intentionally, as they are just using their sense of taste to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Some elements used in cat litter can be toxic to cats when eaten. While these toxins should generally be avoided in adult cat litter, for kittens this is a much more pressing issue.
Read on to learn what elements of cat litters need to be avoided for kittens until they are at least three to four months old, and for my list of the best five cat litters you can buy for kittens.
- May be difficult to move to another cat litter
Made from wheat, it naturally forms clumps around solid and liquid waste. These clumps arent as solid as the clumps made by clay, but they are good enough to contain odors and allow for regular scooping to keep the tray fresh. Even better, this litter is septic tank and sewer-friendly, so you can scoop litter straight into the toilet for fuss-free cleanup.
Overall: Good for Your Cat and the Planet
Is Clumping Litter Safe For Kittens
There are horror stories about cats eating clumping litter and having it form clumps inside their stomachs, but this isnt something most people need to worry about, said Medley. If your cat is eating litter, take them to the vet: It could be a sign of anemia or pica, the desire to eat things that are not food. Plus, in small quantities, sodium bentonite isnt dangerous for animalsits even an ingredient in some animal feed.
Some people are especially worried about kittens eating clumping litter, because kittens have smaller stomachs and may be more curious. Though some brands recommend using non-clumping litters until your kitten is 4 months old or so, others, like Cats Pride, note that theres no evidence that sodium bentonite has actually caused harm to a kitten this is a conclusion supported by vets Medley and Lund, as well as by everything we found when scanning the literature and reading many Internet forums. In my 7 years experience as a vet Ive not seen a foreign body from a kitten who has ingested clay clumping litter, said Lund. If youre concerned and would still like to use clumping clay litter, monitor your kittens behavior and check in with your vet if something seems amiss.
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They Haven’t Mastered Tidiness And Self
Kittens aren’t quite asahemtidy as their grown-up role models.
As you teach your sweet feline to use her new litter box, she’ll likely end up making more of a mess than her older siblings. For instance, kitties may not be as effective at cleaning the granules off their paws or bottoms. This means they could inadvertently eat it and track it all over the house.
The best cat litter for kittens will generally be one that’s less likely to track or emit dust to attenuate the messy nature of your little cutie. And because your kitty isn’t a pro at cleaning herself yet, you should also make sure the litter you use for her is going to be non-toxicso it’ll be minimally harmful if she accidentally ingests it during self-grooming.
What Is The Safest Cat Litter
Caring for your feline companions means you have the responsibility of keeping them safe and healthy. Each type of cat litter carries benefits as well as potential downsides. Use your best judgement when making the decision about which litter you feel is the safest for your pet or contact your veterinarian for a recommendation based on your cat’s unique medical history.
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The Best Rated Cat Litter: Our Top 11 Recommendations
A quality cat litter is essential for cat owners, but you and your cats have your own unique preferences. Weve assembled a list of the 11 best cat litters on the market in different categories so you can find the option that best suits you and your cat.
- Complete litter box system, all in one
- Dehydrating zeolite pellets help dry out solid waste
- Urine collects in the pee pad beneath the system
The Best Litter Scoop: Duranimals Durascoop Original Cat Litter Scoop
*At the time of publishing, the price was $13.
Out of five scoops we used to scoop litter at the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, the DurAnimals DuraScoop Original Cat Litter Scoop was the only one that didnt end up with a crust of pee and litter on the edge, or bits of litter stuck in the mesh.
This scoop is deeper and wider than the competition, making it simple to scoop up a large clump or to rake through the litter to pick up any bits youve missed. Its sturdy edge allows you to easily remove any clumps that may have gotten stuck to the pans edge or bottom.
The DuraScoops inventor, Chuck Firthaka the poop scoop guy, as he signs his emailssaid he invented this scoop in 2003 because he was tired of using plastic scoops that bent easily. The DuraScoop lives up to his intent, and its rubber handle is easy to grip and wont bend or dig into your hand.
Overall, the DuraScoop makes an unpleasant chore as simple as possible, a fact reflected by the scoops impressive, 4.8-star rating on Amazon. One reviewer says, 30 years, 4 cats, and countless plastic scoops later, I bought the metal DuraScoop. What a relief. Says another, I cant believe Im in love with a litter scoop! Its also a firm staff favorite at Wirecutter.
The DuraScoop is more expensive than the competition, though we think that about $13 is still a small price to pay for something that makes it easy to clean out your pets litter box.
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Final Thoughts On The Best Cat Litter For Kittens
If you are okay with spending a bit on getting one of the best cat litters for your kitten, I would recommend splurging on Weruva Its A Tea Potty! Hinoki Wood & Green Tea Natural Cat Litter.
It is environment-friendly and has no harmful ingredients, not even sodium bentonite clay. The brand makes sures that no matter how notorious your kitten is at licking the litter, it is safe for your fur baby. Since there are no harmful ingredients, it is perfect for kittens with sensitivity issues. The only downside is it can be a bit expensive.
If youre looking for a more budget-friendly option, go for Naturally Fresh Walnut Shell Non-Clumping Cat Litter. It is efficient in controlling odor, has no dust, and is fragrance-free. Plus it is all natural!
We hope this article helps you pick out the best cat litter fro kttens
Just to finish on, if this is your very first kitten we have these really handy tips for new owners that will really help you out.
In A Live Environment With Our Customers Kittens
We chose a few of our customers with new kittens. We bought the litter and agreed to come and scoop their litter boxes twice a day for 4 weeks.
We then graded each product on
- Absorbancy testing with water is one thing. We wanted to know how well it did with actual cat pee.
- How well it masked odours each time we changed a litter tray we had a whiff to see how it smelled. You might think were gross but you cant say were not thorough!
- How much it tracked we also wanted to see how litter our kittens walked around the house as they left their litter boxes.
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Whats The Best Cat Litter For Kittens
Before We Answer, Lets Come to a Consensus on Clumping Litter. Since you now have a better idea as to why a little kitty would need special litter, the next question youre probably asking is:
Which kitty litter should I choose?
Its an important question that can seem difficult to answer. After all, there are tons of options out there. But before we get into the reviews of some of our top picks to help you narrow down the selection process, its worth discussing one crucial subject:
Clumping litter.
Yes, its amazingly convenient and tidy. But is it safe for young kitties?
As it turns out, there isnt any hard proof that clumping litterisnt safe for them. BUT if we use some basic logic, we can see how it may pose a problem.
Heres how:
Clumping cat litter is designed to congeal when it comes in contact with moisture. Given that your little feline may be more likely to ingest litter than the older and more experienced cats in your family, this could put your feline at risk of obstruction in her digestive tract or urinary tract.
Yeah, me-ow is right!
Heres what the ASPCA has to say about it: while there has been no proof to claims of problems in scientific literature, caretakers may wish to delay introducing kittens to clumping litter until 3 to 4 months of age.
Possibly, the dust and the clump-able clay particles can cause issues for cats if ingested.
Think about it:
Below: Dr. Karen Becker gives some great insights into this and other preferences for cats:
Does Lightweight Cat Litter Work
Any reviews we read of lightweight litters seem to be positive. Users reported that its easy to carry and scoop and that some cats like the litter better because it has a softer texture, much like the sand cats use when theyre outside.
However, as with any product, there are a few cons to using the litter. Many pet parents reported it sticking to their cats paws and being easy to track through the house. Its quite a bit more expensive than regular litters and is also dustier. Some vets have also suggested that it should not be used for younger kittens.
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Know Your Kittens Allergies
There are several types of litter available in the market. Go for natural litter as the chances are high it will be safe for your kitten. Knowing your cats allergies and sensitivities might help you make the right choice for them. It is understandable, you might still be discovering their sensitivities. To be safe, go with natural litter options like the ones made from wood, clay, and paper.
Do Kittens Need Different Litter
Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. While clumping litter might be the standard for adult cats, it’s a risk to kittens if ingested, and should not be provided until the kitten is at least 2-3 months old and well accustomed to the litter box.
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Clumping Corn Cat Litter
By far the best natural cat litters are made from corn, and pretty much the only clumping natural cat litters are made from corn. However, be aware that corn allergies are relatively common among cats, and if your cat has an allergy, obviously, they will not be able to use this litter.
Besides not containing sodium bentonite, the real benefit with corn cat litter is that many brands are flushable . This makes cleaning up much easier as you can just flush waste away, rather than filling endless disposable bags with used litter.
The downside with clumping corn cat litter is again that it is expensive, and once your kitten gets used to it, you might find yourself investing in this cat litter for the long run.
Petsafe Scoopfree Premium Crystal Non
This is another non-clumping option, and it does a very good job of killing odors on contact. Of course, that comes with a price, and the scent it releases can be kind of strong and not very pleasant for animals with sensitive noses.
Your cat may or may not take to this litter, and you want to introduce it a little bit at a time. PetSafe has released this as a dual-package product, which means that you only need to open one bag at a time and you get to keep the other bag fresh and safe.
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Cost: Which Cat Litter Is Best Value
At a glance, you may be led to believe that non-clumping litter is the cheaper option. However these litters generally need to be replaced much more frequently than clumping alternatives making the initial difference in price almost negligible. For example, you might need to replace a recycled paper pellet litter every 1-2 days, but you can make a tray of clumping litter stretch for up to 2 weeks. Regardless of which litter you choose, cleaning out solid waste and clumps regularly will help to extend its usable life and save you dollars in the long run.
Fresh Step Scented Clay Non
What makes Fresh Steps litter so unique and such a good option is that it is excellent at neutralizing odors on the spot, but it doesnt leave a lasting fragrance. The odor eliminating scents only activate when the litter is moved around and the litter box is in use. So, you and your cat dont have to smell the powerful fragrance all day long.
This is also a litter that doesnt clump, so your cat is less likely to play with it. However, that also means that there will be some dust tracking in your home, and it means that it will be harder to clean up the litter when your cat is done using it.
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Jonny Cat Unscented Non
This inexpensive old-school litter, sandy and non-clumping, will need to be changed a bit more than the newer clumping clay litters. But if you are dealing with only one kitten and scooping solid waste daily, this should keep everyone happyand your kitten safe from ingesting clumps of clay.
Johnny Cat Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Litter
This old-school litter has a sandy texture that will attract your kitten to the box.
This litter is made entirely from grass and forms clumps for easy scooping. The smooth, sandy texture is gentle on kittens paws, and the litter is free of scents and chemicals.
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Kitten Litter
This natural plant-based litter clumps waste for easy scooping.
The Best Pine Cat Litter And Cat Litter Tray System
Several Wirecutter staff members are into the Tidy Cats Breeze system, which makes getting rid of cat pee easy. Special pine pellets go in the box, and beneath them theres an absorbent pad that you can swap out, in addition to scooping. So you scoop daily, change the pad about once a week, and change all the pellets once a month. Its more expensive than a regular setupa little more than 2½ times as much as our top pick for litterbut Breeze advocates say the convenience is worth it . However, if your cat doesnt like it, youre out the expense of a new litter box as well as a bunch of special pads and pine cat litter pellets.
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