Clumping litter absorbs and expands when it comes into contact with liquids, and if a kitten ingests the litter, it can create an intestinal blockage. It's best to take a "better safe than sorry" approach, recommended Cat Health, and avoid using clumping cat litter until your fur baby's kittenish antics decrease.
Clumping litters are linked to a wide range of cat health problems including diarrhea, vomiting, kidney and respiratory problems, lethargy, etc. Clumping litter forms a hard, insoluble mass when it gets wet. It also produces a fine dust. When cats use the litter box, they lick themselves clean and ingest the dust.
With a clumping litter, the clumps that form after you cat has used their litter are far less likely to scatter. Not only does that mean less cleaning for you, but it also means less worry!
The Downsides to Clumping Litter
Clumping litter is often finer than non-clumping litter, this is part of what makes it clump. As a result, it can often be dustier. So if your cat has allergies or asthma, it might not be a good choice.
Clumping ability: If you choose a litter that clumps when wet, it will be easier to scoop and dispose of waste. Clumping litter also helps keep the litter box clean for longer periods. However, some cats love non-clumping litter, and it can be a more cost-effective way to buy litter for your furry friend.
Silica litter prevents bacteria with crystals that absorb urine and help dehydrate feces, making your cat's litter box too dry to sustain any growth. This helps prevent kidney problems and UTIs in cats. Environmentally, silica litters will biodegrade and are non-toxic, making them a better choice than clay.
What Type of Litter Is Best for Your Cat? The best choice is biodegradable litter because they are made from materials that are safe for cats and the environment. Biodegradable litters include cat litter made from corn cobs, pine pellets, or wheat straw; sand; and paper-based (non-clumping) clumping litters.
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.
Cats generally prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture. They also usually prefer unscented litter. To help your cat pick her preferred litter, put a few boxes side-by-side with different types of litter in them. She'll use the one the she likes best.
It's best to avoid clumping litter until your kitten reached four months old as it can cause stomach upset or blockages if ingested. Try to use non-clumping litters or pelleted litters until your furbaby is older.
Clumping clay litters are not flushable, because they're made from bentonite clay. Bentonite clay forms a cement-like compound in water, so flushing it could clog pipes or damage septic systems. Because of this, using traditional clay litter means also signing up for endless trips to the trash.
However, with a clumping litter, all the soiled particles remain in a clump and quite separate from the rest of the (clean) particles - so all the urine can be removed very easily indeed - leaving just clean litter in the tray.
Clumping litters
This means you need to keep their litter tray in tip-top shape. If you are going for a clumping litter, try Catsan™ Ultra Plus Litter or Catsan™ Natural clumping litter.
Cat owners and women who are exposed to cats should follow these tips to reduce exposure to Toxoplasma. Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
Clumping litter tends to last longer compared to non-clumping litter because all you need to do is remove the solids that have formed after your pet has used the litter box. On the other hand, non-clumping litter is difficult to clean out.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it's time for a change. Scrub the box every time you change the litter. Use mild dish detergent to clean it, as products with ammonia or citrus oils can turn a cat off, and some cleaning products are toxic to cats.
You've probably heard that you should put your phone in a bag of rice in an attempt to dry it out if it gets wet, but after some thorough testing from the folks at Gazelle, it turns out there is something that will absorb way more water from your damaged device. It's kitty litter!
We do not recommend mixing a non-clumping litter with the clumping clay and it could inhibit the scoopable litter's ability to clump.
Unclean litter boxes can make cats more susceptible to developing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Certain types of litter like the clay litters and litter with fine dust can also contribute to respiratory disease, and make cats with asthma have more frequent flare-ups.
Clumping litters usually contain sodium bentonite, which is a natural clay. Even though sodium bentonite is considered to be an inert, non-toxic substance, many clumping litters form very hard, cement-like clumps which are not safe to be flushed as they may clog the plumbing in your home.
Clumping litter, which allows for the simple removal of both liquid and solid waste, keeps your cat's litter tray smelling fresher for longer.
Always avoid flushing cat poop down the drain because not only could it potentially contain harmful parasites called toxoplasmosis, the litter could sit in your line and lead to a clog.
If you flush kitty litter down your toilet, it can swell up and block sewer pipes, even in the pipes in your home — yuk! Don't risk it! Blocked sewer pipes are a horrible, messy and smelly problem. Sinks can block and toilets can stop flushing.