The Dangers of Clumping Cat Litter

Clumping cat litters hold great appeal for cat-lovers because they are so convenient. But what many pet-owners don’t realize is that two ingredients in most clumping cat litters have been implicated in diseases and even the deaths of many animals and humans.

Sodium bentonite is often added as a clumping agent to traditional cat litters to create the “scoopable” clay litters on the market. Sodium bentonite acts like an expandable cement, which is why these litters should not be flushed: they swell to 15 to 18 times their dry size and can be used as grouting, sealing, and plugging materials.

Cats often lick themselves after using the litter box, ingesting pieces of the litter. If litter gets inside them, it expands just as it does in the plumbing.

Also, the dust from such litters can coat our cats’ lungs, leading to respiratory problems. The Hennepin Center for Poison Control in Minnesota has reported instances of poisoning in humans from chronic ingestion of sodium bentonite, so just imagine what effect it can have on our kitties!

Quartz silica (sand), the other ingredient in most clumping litters, is a known carcinogen for both humans and household pets when inhaled.

Switch your cat litter to one made from a plant-based material, better for your pet and for the environment. There are many commercially-available products using compacted pine shavings, cedar, newspaper, or corn cobs that make healthier alternatives.

Read more: Pets, Cats, Everyday Pet Care, Safety

Adapted from Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets? by Deborah Straw (Inner Traditions, 2000). Copyright (c) 2000 by Deborah Straw. Reprinted by permission of Inner Traditions.
Adapted from Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets? by Deborah Straw (Inner Traditions, 2000).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

New G.

11:38PM PST on Jan 24, 2012

Thank you.

send a green star

Michele W.

3:21AM PST on Jan 1, 2012

Thank you

May H.

4:28PM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

Bonnie S.

5:54PM PDT on Oct 6, 2011

I believe this was killing our cat as he had chronic diarrhea.

Elisabeth T.

12:57PM PDT on Oct 2, 2011

Thanks so much for this information. I'll switch right away!

PAM S.

12:38PM PDT on Oct 2, 2011

I KNEW THEIR WAS A REASON I NEVER USED THE CLUMPING LITTLER. THE BEST I'VE EVER USED IS ONE I BUY FROM THE DOLLAR GENERAL, ONE DOLLAR A BAG. NO SMELL AND VERY LITTLE DUST.

Ja B.

5:35AM PDT on Aug 22, 2011

Hi Edith and all,
It is NOT the type of litter that is a problem. You missed the point..It is great that you love your cat(s) and want the best for them though. Some scoopable litter is fine. For instance,' feline pine scoopable' and also 'Swheatscoop which is scoopable, as is 'World's Best', all scoopable, 'Natures Miracle' litter, which is also scoopable. They are also all natural,flushable and eco friendly, and do not contain silica dust or sodium bentonite. BUT, what you need to stay away from is CLAY litter, which contains sodium bentonite and silica dust..Many of the standard litters on the shelves today, with the cute TV commercials, unfortunately, are clay litters. If you are not sure, call the company and ask if the brand you are using is clay.

Edith B.

9:53PM PDT on Aug 21, 2011

This info should be passed on to everyone you know who has a cat. I have never used scoopable litter for this reason.

Tiffany B.

2:08PM PDT on Aug 15, 2011

Wow!!! This is scary!!

Robert O.

11:27AM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

Thanks.