A stinky issue: Cat litter

I have a cat and she’s one of the most precious things in my life. I always tell her that if she didn’t poop, she’d be perfect. My Zippity is an indoor cat, so we have kitty litter. Commercial cat litter can be a real problem for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, mainly because most have toxic fragrance. Even some of the ones that are labeled as “fragrance free” still stink to me (I’ve tried them all).

I finally settled on blue silica gel for Zippity’s litter, it’s the only litter that takes care of the poop (eliminates odor and dries everything up) and doesn’t get me sick because of added toxics. Cleo the Cat, guest blogger at Pets for the Environment, says below that I should be checking to see what kind of dyes they are using in the silica, but truth be told, the silica gel works for me (no reaction) and seems to work okay for the cat. So on this one, I’m ok fine with it. (I promise to keep an eye out for some undyed gel, though.)

Anyway, here’s the poop from Cleo.

Avoid these environmentally- or kitty-unfriendly litters:

CLAY LITTER

Clay-based silica kitty litter is strip-mined, causing extreme environmental damage during extraction. And the dust it kicks up is bad for kitty lungs and can cause asthma and respiratory disease. I have used this stuff before but I’m glad I don’t anymore!

CLUMPING LITTER

There’s a lot of controversy over whether or not clumping litter can get stuck in kitty lungs or intestines. Regardless of the health effects, sodium bentonite is mined just like clay, so I’m keeping it in the “avoid” list.

PINE AND CEDAR SHAVINGS

Pine and cedar shavings smell heavenly in a horse stall, but cats can develop allergies to the phenols found in these soft woods. My research suggests that not all cats are bothered by it, but I’ve run into enough information that would definitely make me think twice.

SCENTED LITTER

The fragrances in scented kitty litter come from undisclosed combinations of chemicals, including hormone-disrupting phthalates. Besides being mysterious and unnecessary, they can trigger allergies in pets and humans alike. Sneezing’s no fun when you’re trying to do your business.

SAND

Sand could be okay if you promised to reuse it, but I’m going to put it in the “avoid” column because it’s a scarce resource. I didn’t know this until I started my research, but apparently the construction and mining industries go through a lot of sand, either eroding dunes, destroying beaches, or wiping out fish and coral from murky water caused by dredging. I don’t know about you, but my litter box just isn’t that important.

FLUSHABLE LITTERS

These are good because it helps biodegrade the litter, but the whole cat-poo-in-water thing is complicated, thanks to a parasite that can hurt sea otters. See below under “Waste disposal options” for the nitty-gritty details.

SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES

My only complaint with this is the obvious: do you really need to waste electricity to clean a litter box? I know, I know–if I think it’s so ridiculous, maybe I should clean my own litter box. I get it. But I have naps to take, and sunny spots on the floor to keep warm! There’s no time for cleaning!

SILICA GEL LITTERS

It’s really good at absorbing liquid and controlling odor, but it’s expensive, and the kinds with blue granules might be dyed with cobalt(II) chloride–a toxic and possibly carcinogenic moisture indicator. If you’re a furry crusader with blue silica gel litter in your box, it might be worth a call to the manufacturer to see what chemicals they use.

Link to Cleo’s picks for better litter choices.

Pets for the Environment, a website all about creating a healthy environment for pets and people, is actually a blog by Eddie the Dog, and sponsored by the Environmental Working Group.