What’s in kitty’s box: It could be chemicals that affect lungs and may cause cancer.
Anyone who has changed a litter box is familiar with that cough-inducing dust cloud. It likely contains low levels of crystalline silica, a carcinogen. (Check the bag or box before you pour it into Fluffy’s litter box.) “If the warning says to go to the ER if you swallow, it’s safe to assume it’s really toxic,” Natural Resources Defense Council scientist Jennifer Sass, PhD, says. Replace with greener versions made from corn, wheat, alfalfa, cedar, and even pine—all of which work well. You can find natural litters at major pet stores like Petco. To give the natural variety an odor-eating boost, mix in a little baking soda, Sass says. And be sure to keep boxes in ventilated spots such as a screened-in porch.
By Alexandra Zissu
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Comments (14)
Just a reminder: pregnant women should NOT be changing litter boxes! There is a risk of infection with toxoplasmosis, a parasite that causes birth defects in the growing fetus.
I wonder if the chemicals cause cancer in cats, or is their life span shorter than the time it takes for the cancer to start?
It’s not easy to get your cat to accept a new type of litter. They generally prefer the type that they used since initial litter training.
What should have been said is to use a litter scoop every day to remove any solid clumps. It will prolong the time between necessary full cleanings.
Using a liner will help keep as much litter contained as possible. Also, before replacing the liner, put a few tablespoons of rubbing alcohol in the bottom of the litter pan, add a little water and swirl it around the pan as much as possible. Rinse with plain water and dry with a paper towel. This will keep your litter tray smelling a lot sweeter and cleaner.
I have three large inherited cats..
they came with 3 dinky litter boxes..
I switched to a rubbermaid storage tub, which eliminates the mess of cat litter everywhere.
I too use a clumping litter mixed with another less expensive litter to which I add baking soda.
the key here is daily cleaning of the litter box with a litter scoop,and changing the entire litter once a week.I do not use litter liners as i find them a waste of money, and useless if punctured. the empty container is thoroughly washed, air dried in the sunshine before refilling with fresh litter.
my felines are healthy and happy indoor cats,bringing much joy to our lives.
In place of liners, I use cheap 30 gallon trash bags,from Dollar Stores; put the whole litter box inside, and the litter on top of it. Much cheaper than liners. Works great. When cleaning, just fold over bag, and entire litter is inside. Then wash out box as well, buy a new litter box about once a year, even tho it still looks brand new.
I have two cats at my apartment and my B/F bought me a Litter Robot self cleaning litterbox. It rotates and turns every clump and lump down into the bottom box which has a liner (I buy them from the Dollar Tree, 10 for $1). This box needs to be cleaned out once a week and the round compartment where it initially goes and gets dumped from needs cleaning at least once a month. I also add baking soda periodically or else I get the Arm & Hammer Litter Box powder which smells good. The Litter Robot is expensive but well worth it. It’s like scooping every time it’s used. Just remember to clean out the bottom box where it goes into one to two times a week.
Toxoplasmosis is no need to get rid of your cat. Have your husband change the litter box or wear sterile gloves. Don’t be a creep and get rid of your cat like someone that I knew. Don’t be responsible for another cat being Euthanized. What betrayal! I changed the litter box when I was pregnant. My son just gradauted as Co-Valedictorin of his High School Class. He has no physical defects.
Mother of unharmed baby
All of the above comments are very good and should help. I keep the cat litter box in the bathtub. It is so easy to clean up. I follow what Lou has said also. Anyone know if store brands of cat litter are safe. I keep remembering the Cat Food Scare.
I have been around cats all my life. While I was pregnant for my first child
the doctor said that if I hadn’t lived on s farm or eaten rare meat that I had nothing to worry about. Most people are not harmed by changing the liter box. I did however have my husband do the litter box.
Don’t take the risk! Have your husband clean the cat’s litter box. I did and didn’t have to clean out the litter box until my husband died 24 years later. Not only did caution pay off but my husband was so used to changing the litter box, I didn’t need to even think about changing the litter.
From the comments, I see the writer didn’t make her point well enough. It’s not the mess around the box, or the smelly box itself, that’s dangerous about the catbox. It’s the clay litter that forms the silica dust cloud. If you use a non-clay litter, you don’t have to worry about much, and you won’t be supporting destructive mining practices. With any litter, though, you still shouldn’t clean the catbox if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
I have two cats and have used the pine litter since they were both kittens. It is easy to clean up and hides the smell of urine well although does not cover the smell of bowel movements.
Pine Litter may smell good – But – It’s not safe for your cats. The Pine aroma comes from the Essential Oils in the pine. Essential oils are toxic for cats – especially those from soft woods (eg. Pine, Cedar, etc). If you research this on the internet, you will find it’s true. The manufacturers of Pine Litters may claim that their product is safe because they removed the essential oils via some process of other. But – As long as you can smell the aroma of the wood – the essential oils are in there.
The essential oils can cause Liver damage, Kidney Failure, Respiratory problems, and death. The damages often take time to develop (although sometimes it’s quick in an especially sensitive cat) – and many will never make the connection of using these litters – to their pets’ illnesses – as most people are not aware of the toxicity. These soft woods can also affect people in the same manner. Please research this on the internet. Look up “Pine + Toxic” (Or Cedar + toxic or Soft wood + toxic). You will find it’s true.
my daughter has a cat and she puts his litter box in her small bedroom, not much ventilation, can she get sick from the box being in there, even though she cleans the clumps out daily? It seems like it always has a smell to it so I am concerned about her health.