Cat litter

Necessity of cat litter

Having a good feces and urine collection box for cats is an essential part of cat care. The purpose of a litter box is, of course, to make sure that a cat is relieving itself in the house. Choosing the right cat litter is an important aspect in that a cat should first and foremost accept it. Cats are very particular animals and it is difficult to predict their individual preferences.

When it comes to cat litter, trying out different types is key. For owners, the absorption of urine and odors is the main issue, followed by the degree of stickiness of cat litter (whether or not it sticks their cat’s paws and is then tracked all over the house). Another requirement is that cat litter is not hazardous when inhaled by either humans or cats when it is poured out of the bag. Finally, dust control and sustainability (recyclability) are important demands. 

Types of cat litter

The available types of cat litter can generally be divided into two groups: non-mineral, pressed wood or paper pellets and mineral cat litters. Many mineral cat litters are made of sodium bentonite, a type of clay that is prevalent in nature and which has excellent urine absorption capacity and forms clumps, which can then be easily scooped out of the litter box. Other mineral cat litters are made of sepiolite, attapulgite, calcium silicate compounds, quartz sand or natural calcium (calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide or hydrogen carbonate).

Health impact of cat litter components

People who work in winning and processing of bentonite are at an increased risk of pulmonary fibrosis and silicosis disease, due to the less than 10% presence of silica in bentonite. Also found in quartz sand, silica is carcinogenic after protracted exposure. Silica-induced sarcoidosis (a chronic disease of the immune system which mainly affects the lungs) has also been found among cat owners.

For wood pellets, the health impacts are divergent, depending on the type of wood used. A number of wood types contain components that can be irritable, allergenic or carcinogenic. The most common health complaints that can occur after long-term exposure to wood dust include eye and skin diseases (contact), hypersensitive reactions of the airways (inhalation) with sneezing, a runny nose, nosebleeds, coughing, asthma and asthmatic bronchitis. 

Natural clay can be irritating to your, airways and skin. The health risks associated with the natural clays sepiolite and attapulgite are unknown. The overall conclusion is that it is best to prevent dust-forming in cat litters.

Some cat litter brands proudly announce that they are asbestos-free, thereby suggesting that other cat litters could contain this highly carcinogenic substance. However, a 2014 study established that this is not the case. The use of asbestos in products has been banned for decades.