Litters for Cats with Respiratory Conditions: Top 5 Best Options
Have you ever heard your cat sneeze when they stepped out of the litter box? Sure, it could have been a coincidence. I mean, just like humans, cats can sneeze for a variety of reasons. And I have to admit, it can be really cute when you hear a stray little sneeze from your kitty. But if you start to notice a pattern of your cat sneezing, coughing, or even having a little trouble breathing shortly after they use the litter box, you could have a kitty with a respiratory condition that is exacerbated by their litter; or they may even be allergic to the litter itself. Keep reading to find out more about how commonly-used litters could potentially cause a reaction in cats and the best types of litter to buy for cats with respiratory conditions.
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The Most Commonly Used Litter That May Worsen Respiratory Conditions in Cats
The most commonly used cat litter in households today is clumping clay litter, with more than 50% of litters being made of clay. These clay-based litters often come in a variety of fragrances, with scents ranging from light to extreme, although unscented varieties are also available. The problem with clay-based litters is they’re often very, very dusty, with a huge cloud of dust pouring into the room as you’re adding litter to your kitty’s box (I speak from experience). Even if the litter advertises itself as being 99.9% dust-free, that 0.1% can still be enough to cause issues in cats with respiratory conditions. There is just no avoiding dust with clay-based litters, unfortunately.
The Link Between Litter and Respiratory Conditions in Cats
Just as with humans, large amounts of dust can cause lung irritation and allergic reactions in cats, and it can even worsen existing respiratory conditions such as feline asthma or upper respiratory infections. To make matters worse, cats are frequently in the litter box, and if their box is enclosed (as are many litter boxes), they are essentially trapped inside with copious amounts of dust that has nowhere to go except into your kitty’s lungs. Poor kitty!
The added fragrance in already-dusty clay litters can also be extremely irritating to your cat’s lungs. Understandably, sometimes it’s necessary to buy the strongest scented litter you can find if you have a kitty who is particularly…ahem…stinky. However, if you do decide to use a strong-scented litter and your cat is known to have a reaction to it, you should be mindful about proper ventilation in your cat’s litter box. For example, you can take the door off if you have an enclosed box.
If all else fails and your kitty is still struggling with respiratory issues, you may just have to look at changing litters. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for litters on the market today that are specifically made for cats for respiratory conditions. Certain types of litters are even hypoallergenic by nature.
I know from personal experience how daunting of a task it can be to find a litter that works for your kitty, as my kitten Hazel has respiratory issues that are made worse by her litter. So, I’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled the top 5 litters to try.
Top 5 Litters for Cats With Respiratory Conditions
1. Dr. Elsey’s R&R® Respiratory Relief Litter
Dr. Elsey’s R&R® Respiratory Relief Litter is my personal favorite, as I use this whenever my kitten Hazel’s respiratory issues are acting up. It is specifically formulated for cats with respiratory conditions but still has the benefits of being a clay-based litter, such as superior clumping ability. It has much less dust than some of the other litters I’ve used (not 100% dust-free, but it’s a great improvement) and is unscented, so it is hypoallergenic and easy on your kitty’s lungs.
As a bonus, it has calming herbal properties that help reduce your cat’s stress. Stress can be another trigger for many health issues in cats, including respiratory conditions, so I’ve found this to be such a great quality of this litter. You can find Dr. Elsey’s R&R® Respiratory Relief Litter at Chewy.com or Petco.
2. Crystal (Silica) Cat Litter
Crystal (silica) cat litter is made out of silica gel beads. Don’t worry; it’s not the same as the poisonous silica gel beads that come packaged in certain foods or products. Crystal litter is virtually dust-free, given that it is made out of particles that are much larger than clay-based litters. This makes it a great option for cats with respiratory conditions. It’s also highly absorbent due to the manufacturing process that creates small pores in the litter, yet incredibly lightweight. Win-win!
You’ve probably heard of the brand Pretty Litter. This one of the most popular picks for crystal litter. While it is pricier than some other litter types, it’s worth giving it a try. It might just be the solution to your kitty’s litter-related respiratory issues! It’s also got the added feature of changing color to monitor your cat’s health. Fortunately, you can find this litter stocked at many convenient stores such as Walmart, Target, and PetSmart.
3. Paper Cat Litter
While you can use DIY shredded paper litter (watch out for toxins in some newspaper print), there are commercial paper cat litters widely available. They are made out of recycled paper and are a great alternative to traditional clay-based litters as they have very little dust. These litters are also incredibly eco-friendly, so that’s a win for Mother Earth! Another great benefit is that paper litter is low-tracking. If you own a cat, you know how much of a struggle it can be to clean up litter. Somehow it defies physics and ends up on the complete opposite side of the house.
There are certain brands of paper litter that also incorporate baking soda into their product to have built-in odor control. This is added because paper litter isn’t as good at controlling odor. The brand So Phresh has a paper litter that uses baking soda, and you can find it at Petco.
4. Natural Pine Cat Litter
Another eco-friendly and low-dust alternative is natural pine cat litter. This litter is naturally anti-microbial as well, which allows it to control dangerous microorganisms. This makes it a very healthy option for both cat and owner. You also will likely be changing your kitty’s litter much less often if you use a natural pine litter. This litter works by sending the used litter to the bottom and turning it to sawdust, leaving only the unused litter on top.
Natural pine litter can be a little bit more difficult to find. Therefore, you may not find it stocked on the shelves of your local grocery or retail store. However, Petco sells a natural pine litter called FelinePine that uses sustainably sourced pine and has a clumping feature (which not all pine litters have). Bonus!
5. Grass Seed Cat Litter
Grass? In cat litter? Yep! Now I’m not talking about taking grass clippings from your yard and throwing them in your cat’s litter box. I mean, at that point, you might as well train your cat to go potty in the backyard!
There are now commercial cat litters available that use grass seeds or fibers, which makes for a great eco-friendly and biodegradable choice. By nature, grass absorbs odor, so it has great odor-control abilities. Also, if you have a kitty with sensitive paws, grass litter is very soft which makes it gentle on their little toe beans.
As with natural pine litter, grass seed litter can be tricky to find. However, So Phresh sold at Petco makes a grass seed litter that is lightly scented, clumping, and virtually dust-free, so your kitty with respiratory conditions will have some relief. It’s also a great option for multi-cat households!
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are quite a few options out there if you’re looking for a litter that is going to ease your cat’s respiratory conditions. While each type of litter I listed above has their advantages, ultimately you’re going to have to do some experimenting to find what works best for you and your kitty. Cats can be finicky, and what works for one cat may not work for another. However, I have no doubt that you will be able to find a litter that meets your needs and your kitty will be able to breathe easier!
