Allegedly some cats eat the pellets of the Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System

Tidy Cats Breeze System
Tidy Cats Breeze System
Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

This information may have been superseded by further events. It’s rather strange but some people have asked why the Cat Breeze litter system was discontinued. As far as I am aware it has not been discontinued. However, if you dig around on Amazon checking out the reviews you will find that there is a danger (and I don’t know how small it is) that cats or kittens using the litter may on occasions eat the pellets.

For a currently inexplicable reason, some cat owners claim that their cats are attracted to the pellets as food. I don’t know how the manufacturer, Purina, dealt with this issue. However, on the face of it, it’s a serious issue, quite obviously.

Blockage in cat's bowels due to eating Tidy Cats Breeze System pellets
Blockage in cat’s bowels due to eating Tidy Cats Breeze System pellets. Supplied by Jacquelyn K.

There is one instance of a cat eating the Breeze System pellets occasionally. The cat’s owner complained to customer services at Tidy Cat and was reassured that the pellets were non-toxic and would break down and pass through the cat’s system without harm. The owner relied on the information but discovered that her cat developed a bowel blockage which actually killed him. In addition, she had veterinary costs of US$3,000. The photograph above is an x-ray from that particular comment written by “Jacquelyn K.”

The reviews are generally good for this product at four stars out of five from 4,500 reviews. However, if there is even a remote danger that a cat might need the pellets and suffer an intestinal blockage then I would argue, with respect, that the product is unsafe.

I’m not sure whether this problem is linked to the question on Quora.com, “Why was the Cat Breeze litter system discontinued?” I don’t think it is discontinued but perhaps it is at a certain geographical location. Perhaps someone can enlighten me. Have you use this cat litter system?

It is a novel system in which the pellets are not soft and absorbent. The cat’s urine passes through the pellets into an absorbent pad below. Faeces remain at the top layer amongst the pellets where they can be scooped up. There is something in the pellets which can confuse some cat into believing that they are food.

Tidy Cats has another problem with cat litter namely their lightweight litter which created too most dust and which created serious health problems for cats through inhaling the dust. I have two pages on this one a review (see link above) in the other based upon information provided by an employee in the factory explains how the litter is made.

Please search using the search box at the top of the site. You are bound to find what you are looking for.

19 thoughts on “Allegedly some cats eat the pellets of the Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System”

  1. MS KITTY PASSED MAY 6TH FROM EATING PELLETS AND IS NOW IN A LITTLE BROWN BOX WITH HER PICTURE ALONG SIDE. I AM STILL SUFFERING FROM A BROKEN HEART>MISS HER SO MUCH. TO THINK,PURINA SAID PELLETS NON TOXIC AND WOULD DIGEST.WHY DONT THEY CHANGE RECEIPE

    Wonder just how many kitties have passed from breeze pellets.Concept good ,why not change receipe

    Reply
    • AnneMarie, thanks for commenting. I am so sad for your loss. Would u like to tell me some more? I might be able to write about this some more and deter cat owners from suffering from the same loss and pain?

      Reply
  2. We have used the breeze system for years with no problem. Our cat andy had a respiratory infection. He couldnt smell. He ate the pellets thinking they were food. We didnt know he was eating them. Friday he passed some in his poop, and was blocked after that. They turn black after they have been through the digestive tract but do not soften or break down. My wife drove him to the animal hospital 1.5 hr away on memorial day. They performed surgery and he died. Now we have lost our cat and thousands of dollars. Why would purina make a product like this that doesnt dissolve? For over 2 weeks we gave him meds twice a day, encouraged him to eat and drink to get him through the virus. Its sad that our cat got over the respiratory virus but died from litter ingestion. The product needs to be removed and purina should cover peoples losses.

    Reply
    • Thank you very much, Mike, for your story. I am shocked by it to be honest. And I am saddened. I’m so sad that your cat passed away like this. I hope that you can get over it in due course. May he rest in peace. You did your best and there’s no knowing that your cat would have eaten cat litter.

      Reply
  3. Wow was just about to buy the Breeze system and this post changed my mind. So sorry for those that lost their kitties, very heartbreaking but thank you for making awareness!

    Reply
  4. My MS KITTY AFTER EATING BREEZE PELLETS SUFFERED BLOCKAGE ,NOW SUFFERING KIDNEY FAILURE What action do cat parents have for all of our cats pain and suffering. My heart is broken seeing her life of love and affection coming to an because of Breeze pellets.

    Reply
    • I am very distressed to hear your story, Ann Marie. There is probably not much you can do but if you want to be awfully brave and dive in at the deep end, you might sue the retailer of the cat litter that you bought and seek compensation which would include reimbursement for any veterinary bills and the pain and suffering caused by both you and your cat. The trouble with suing for compensation which is the only thing you probably can do is that you will have to prove with a considerable amount of clarity that the cat litter pellets caused the injury to your cat and that these particular pellets are attractive to a cat as something to eat. That will probably be almost impossible to prove. It may be that your cat has pica for example. Good luck to both of you.

      Reply

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