Revisiting the Litterbox...

Posted by Cecil the Cougar: at 12:01 AM

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

After my post on Sunday about my new litter, many of you has told me that crystal litter may not be good. My Mommie got scairt that she was poisoning me, so we did a little researches about litter.

After researching many websites, I has found that crystal litter does not cause significantly more health problems than clay litter. The myth that crystal litter can harm us kitties if it is ingested is not true. This myth stems from the belief that crystal litter and silica gel based litter is the same thing. Although the two types of litter look similar they are very different; silica based litter is made from the same ingredients that those little “do not eat” packets are made from that you find in many products to help maintain freshness.

Some facts about Crystal Litter:

Crystal litter actually produces LESS dust than clay litter and therefore can be healthier for your cat. If your cat is a real digger in the box, he or she may inhale dust from the clay litter and develop what is called “clay lung.” If you are using a clay litter, you may want to look for a “dust free” formula to prevent this.

Crystal litter absorbs urine faster and longer than clay litter. It is biodegradable, flushable, easy to clean up and best of all NON-TOXIC.

Crystal litter can control odors in a litter box for up to 30 days in a one cat household (if stirred every couple days).

Many cats will refuse to use crystal litter due to the texture of the crystals underneath their paws.

There have been a couple instances where a crystal has been lodged inside the eye of a cat due to overly vigorous digging activities. However it should be stated that the same thing can happen with clay litter or any other object/toy that is lying around your house or yard.

I hope that I have debunked some of the myths behind crystal litter, although preference is up to each cat. Personally I am really liking the crystal litter, but may try Feline Pine as well.

Peas link me to any informations that you might have showing that crystal litters is bad. I do not want to be unhealthy! Fanks in advance!

Until tomorrow,

Cecil the Cougar

21 opinions:

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Hmm, maybe we should try dem crystals...mom complains about da smell alot.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Interesting. We hadn't heard of any problems with crystals. Because we have no fur, we have to use a dust-free litter, and the crystal "pearls" work well for us. Our humans tried the Feline Pine and similar litters, but Dragonheart didn't like them at all.

Daisy said...

Thanks for this great report, Cecil. We like the crystal litter because it is so dust-tree.

Daisy said...

Oops! We typed "dust-tree" instead of "dust-free"! That was a silly mistake.

The Meezers or Billy said...

fanks for the info - we just gotted a big tub of crystals. mommy uses it wif the scoopy stuff to cut down on odor - when she's gone all day, we get stinky

Chance said...

My Mommie puts da Shweat Scoop litters in mai box cuz I lyks ta dig an dig an dig an dig....well yoo gets it. She sez ta tells yoo der iz NO dust an it dosna smells too bads iffen yoo scoops it once a day (Iz an only cat). I lurves it cuz it smells lyk wheets feelds. Oooo, an it can goes down da bean water bowl too cuz itz all natur-all.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Cecil
One time well no two times Momma tried to change our litters and we all stared at the boxes and went "umfghf" after a few hours and no one using it she got the message and it was a good thing because poor Mr. Jinx was tired of crossing his paws. HE needed to go...boy when Momma put the normal litters back in the box he jumped right in! So we continue to use the clay litters...it's what we like best, even though Momma wanted us to use something else...

purrs
Abby

Boy said...

Arh...if your cwystal witter is not made of siwica, then perhaps it's ok? What a coincidence because I just wead about these witter stuff a few days ago here! I mineself and That Thing use the natuwal type of witter, and I think they work pwetty well. And if they're enviwonmentawwy fwiendwy at the same time, why not!

Tybalt said...

Thanks, Cecil! Maybe I can get mommy to invest in the crystal litter. We've swtiched types a few times trying to find the one that last longest and is least stinky. It would be worth a shot!

Mr. Hendrix said...

Hi Cecil! Thanks for the great info. I've always used Feline Pine cat litter cause it is all natural. Mommy likes it cause it isn't dusty or anthing so I don't breathe in icky stuffs. It can even be flushed down the toilet so we don't have to use plastic bags to scoop!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

I refuse to use anything dust free--after all that may allow the Woman some semblance of a nice house. In fact, the messier the better I say!

4 Boys and a Lady said...

Thank you for all the research! We don't use clay or crystals, eheheh. We use non-medicated chick feed or that Swheat Scoop stuff. They are also dust free. (^_^)

LZ said...

We use the crystals! We LOVE the crystals and have used them for 8 years now. My breeder used pine pellets and crystals because one of her cats (who came from Germany) was only used to crystals. We do however find that the only really good brand is Tidy Cats.

Kaze

L. Alida said...

I'm using Tidy Cats in the kitty's boxes right now. Scooping is easier for me than lifting big bags. But, a flushable litter sounds even better. Next time I go to Pet Smart I'll buy smaller containers of crystals and Feline Pine and test them out. Oh Cecil, did you know there's a litter called Yesterday's News? :) Thank you for Today's News/Mews!
Hugs and Purrs,
Lorianna

Queen Snickers, Empress and Princess Renna said...

We have tried several litters and found Swheat Scoop to be the best for our whole family and environmentally friendly. Our momma has BAD asthma and the clay type little dust was very bad for her, it also made Empress sneeze. Momma is allergic to pine and we found out they use oils and chemicals in the paper litters like Pawper and Yesterdays News. Momma's eyes literately swelled shut from the exposure and had to get medications. The Swheat Scoop is dust free, no more sneezing from Empress or allergic reactions from Momma. It clump well and works for multi kitties with good order control. ** Not good however if kitty or bean is allergic to wheat! ~Queen Snickers

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

sarge said to tell you he does not care, i still have to poop in the pot! sigh...

smiles, auntie bee
xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

Moki The Wobbly Cat said...

Hi Cecil,

One thing you might want to add about using flushable litters would be to make sure your kitty is healthly and parasite free. Toxoplasma Gondii, is a type of parasite carried by cats. The parasite has recently with the invention of flushable litters been linked to the death of sea mammals. Unfortunately, the parasite can survive all of the conventional sewage treatments used here in the U.S. and therefore can make it out to sea to infect other mammals when flushed down the toliet...

Sarge Charlie said...

OK, OK, OK, she can have crystal litter if she will scratch to cover.

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Uh, good info, but what if you have a sibling who does not like to use the litter box at all? My sister, PooPoo.....you know, the stinky one that likes to poop under the bed and then somehow roll around in it....yep, we have a problem over here. Great info and report, as always!
--JB

Willow said...

This was a very interesting and informative post today. Our dad just buys whatever he finds on sale in the store - he really gives no thought to it at all... But it seems to be working for us!

Purrrrrrrs, Willow

Figaro the Therapy Cat said...

we use Swheat Scoop litter! it is 'xpensive but healthier than clay. we dunno about the other kinds.
veronica