I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not exactly a cat person…but don’t judge me because while I may say that they aren’t my choice of furry companions, it does not in any way mean that I don’t care for them to lead a long, healthy and happy life with someone who loves them.
This is exactly why I felt a need to post an article about kitty litter; yes not the most popping of topics but vital information nonetheless.
Personally, I find cat litter very confusing. There are so many kinds of litter available on the market today, selecting the right one for your feline friend feels like rocket science. Among the most popular are:
- Traditional clay based cat litter
- Scooping / clumping cat litter
- Crystal based / Silica gel cat litter
- Plant derived / Bio-degradable cat litter
And here are the reasons behind why you should be avoiding the first three cat litters on that list like the plague and giving the green thumbs up to the fourth.
Traditional clay based cat litter
One of the most popular choices, this clay minerals option is very absorbent and helps prevent cat urine odors. The real downside to it is the environmental and health impact to your Mr. Wiskers because:
Clay is strip-mined which makes it a process detrimental to the well being of the planet,
Clay is a mineral that’s very difficult for the body to eliminate. Breathing in clay sediment /clay dust has long been associated with diseases such as ‘Farmer’s Lung’ and even fatal Mesothelioma lung cancer. Your cat will be no exception to the heath threats.
Scooping / clumping cat litter
Often preferred to the traditional clay based cat litter, scooping/clumping cat litter is popular because it does not need to be changed as often as its traditional counterpart. This is true in clumping cat litter because bentonite clay (what this type of litter is made of)clumps together when it is moist, therefore allowing the easily replacement of only the soiled litter. Now the downside to this seemingly perfect kitty litter is the fact that bentonite is akin to expanding cement (it can swell up to 15 to18 times their dry size). When chronically ingested by your cat during grooming, over time it will clog up your cat’s insides and in time result in its death.
Crystal based / Silica gel cat litter
Favoured for its improved cat urine control abilities, the Crystal based cat litter has the highest moisture absorbency amongst all the types of cat litters mentioned above. In fact when stirred regularly, it only needs to be replaced once a month. But here’s the catch; exposure to silica has been implicated as a cause of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases so kitty could very well end up with respiratory failure and impaired resistance to bacterial infections. Also it’s probably worth mentioning how silica is a designated human carcinogen.
Plant derived / Bio-degradable cat litter
Usually made of wheat, peanut shells, wood shavings, corn cobs and other natural products (organic versions are available), this type of cat littler is favoured for being easy to flush and environment friendly. A bio-degradable litter is low in dust and not harmful to your cat’s health. The only set-back is the cost of it.
