Is cat litter harmful to you or your pets? How does cat litter impact the environment?

While some cats use the garden to do their ‘business’, other cats only use a cat litter box. Usually, cats don’t have to be trained and will naturally use the outdoors to urinate and defecate. However, cats who live in apartments and don’t have access to garden space will use a cat litter box! Have you ever stopped to wonder whether cat litter could be harmful to you, your cat or the environment?

Concerns have been raised about the dangers of certain types of cat litter and how it affects us and our kitties. There have been reports of cats dying after inhaling the cat litter dust and licking cat litter particles off their fur while grooming themselves. Other reports have blamed cat litter for cats brought to the vet with lethargy and muscle weakness after ingesting their litter.

So why is this not a topic familiar to many people? The truth is that it’s considered a controversial topic with insufficient evidence and research. Additionally, it seems that the medical danger lies in only one particular type of cat litter, clumping clay cat litter. But the danger does not stop there. Clumping clay cat litter also takes a huge toll on the environment!

Clumping clay cat litter

Clumping clay cat litter is a popular type of cat litter, favourited by many cat owners for its convenience! It contains an ingredient called sodium bentonite, which is a clumping agent, and makes it easy for cat owners to remove urine and faeces from the litter box. Sodium bentonite acts like an expandable cement when it makes contact with moisture. If sodium bentonite is inhaled or ingested, it expands and can result in serious internal blockages! Another questionable ingredient found in clumping clay cat litter is quartz silica (sand), which is a known carcinogen for both humans and pets when inhaled. 

Switch your cat to a plant-based cat litter, such as litters made from wheat, corn, pine shavings or cedar! They may be slightly more expensive but they last longer, have similar clumping properties and are much safer for your cat, your family and the environment!

Environmental issues

Besides the health issues surrounding clumping clay cat litter, the environmental impact is another reason why we urge you to switch to plant-based cat litter. The environmental concern lies in the ingredient, sodium bentonite. Sodium bentonite is obtained through strip mining, where the mining company bulldozes everything at surface level, then removes the topsoil until they reach the desired mineral. This process results in mass destruction of wildlife, habitat loss and water contamination.

Then there’s the matter of waste. Both the clay and sand used to make cat litter are not biodegradable. Studies say that millions of tons of cat litter end up in landfills every year! This waste does not break down and can take millions of years to decompose. Switching to plant-based cat litter is much more eco-friendly and greatly reduces negative impacts on the environment!

Other health risks of cat litter

Your cat’s litter may be putting both your family and your cat at risk. When your cat uses their litter box, particles may get stuck to their paws, where they transfer bacteria around the house. Make sure that you clean out their cat litter as often as possible to avoid unhygienic environments! Cat-scratch fever and Salmonellosis are just two of the bacteria-caused diseases from unhygienic cat litters. Over-exposure to ammonia may also lead to serious conditions in babies, children and the elderly.

If your cat’s litter box is not up to your cat’s standard (remember, cats tend to be OCD about hygiene), they’re likely to avoid using the litter box and hold in their urine or faeces. This may eventually lead to urinary tract diseases, bladder inflammation and kidney blockage or failure.

Use the following natural remedies from the Feelgood Pets’ range to treat above-mentioned problems in cats:  

• Feelgood Pets UTI Free – naturally treats the symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs), soothes the discomfort of cystitis (bladder infection), and prevents recurring UTI and bladder infections
• Feelgood Pets Better Bladder Control – a 100% homeopathic remedy to treat incontinence and leaking, dribbling urine in pets, including elderly dogs and cats, and spayed bitches
• Feelgood Pets Immunity & Liver Support – a herbal remedy which strengthens and boosts the immune system, and acts as an all-round tonic to improve vitality, health and functioning
• Feelgood Pets PetCalm – a 100% homeopathic remedy which soothes and calms anxious and stressed pets, and helps them cope during times of stress
• Feelgood Pets Kidney Dr – natural herbal remedy to improve your pet’s functioning of the kidneys and urinary system while treating kidney disease and preventing further damage to the kidneys

** CLICK HERE TO SHOP NATURAL PET REMEDIES, HOMEOPATHIC AND PET MEDICINE.

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