Let’s Talk About Cat Litter

Let’s talk about cat litter today. Nothing fancy. Just plain clay litter and clumping litter and what’s myth and what’s fact. The information online is very confusing and I really would like some input from the readers here.

This topic came about as I was checking on a cat I follow on Facebook. The page is at www.facebook.com/TheStoryOfSnow. Their page tells of a kitten named Allie who had to undergo emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction after crying in pain and vomiting bile. One person who commented mentioned clumping clay litter could be the culprit. Apparently a cat may either inhale the dust or lick this litter off while grooming. Some even have an addiction known as pica which may cause them to enjoy the taste of the litter. This makes sense. Clumping litter expands when wet and could easily block the bowel.

I was curious, so I did an online search. Fresh Step® has a website here and states the clumping litter/bowel obstruction theory is only a myth. What do you think? http://www.freshstep.com/cat-world/cat-health/litter-safety/

Another problem with litter is making it flushable. We all thought that was a grand idea. No more bagging up soiled cat litter to haul away to the dump or wherever. Just flush it right down the toilet. As it turns out, this is a big problem and the culprit is toxoplasmosis. That nasty illness that keeps pregnant women and young children away from the litter box is now poisoning whales and sea lions. It’s especially deadly to sea otters and has been blamed for the increase in death off the California coast.

Have any of the readers here heard of clumping litter causing intestinal obstructions? So what are we supposed to use for litter and where should we dispose of it when we, excuse me, our cats, are done? I’m open to comments on whether one type of litter is better than another and the best way to dispose of dirty litter.