Are Cat Litter Crystals Actually Safe for Kittens and Cats?

 

As a cat owner, you want to make sure that your pet has the best of everything. Cat litter is part of the life of both your life and your cat’s. The are several options from which you can choose and cat litter crystals are one of them. If you are thinking of adopting a kitten or a cat, you find yourself needing to choose between crystals and clumping cat litter. Or, maybe you already have a pet, and you can tell that it doesn’t like the litter it has. This article will discuss the safety of this new option, to make it easier for you to choose.

What Are Cat Litter Crystals Made of?

Typically, cat litter crystals are made of silica gel, which is a highly porous form of silica. When it contact with liquid, it forms a rigid mass or a gelatinous precipitation. Silica gel is often found in those little packets that say ‘Do not eat’ in packages. They are used to absorb any moisture caused by gases or liquids. It can hold large amounts of liquid thanks to its porous structure. We learn from this article by Wikipedia that silica gel has been around since the 1640s. It was even used in World War I masks to absorb gases.

Silica gel was patented by a chemistry teacher called Walter A. Patrick in 1919. Since then, it’s been used to protect documents and devices from moisture. You can even remove the musty smell of a book with the help of silica gel. It’s like a magical tool really! Even if you didn’t know until now exactly what it was, you’ve seen silica gel in your life.

Silica Gel as Cat Litter

Now that you know what silica gel is, you might want to know if and why it is a good option for cat litter. Well, first of all, it has good odor control and it’s lightweight. One of the things that most cat owners love about cat litter crystals is that they make the cleaning process way easier and quicker. Compared to clay litter, cat litter crystals produce less dust. Again, compared to a clay litter, this option is also low tracking. The clay dust will be carried throughout your entire house on the paws of your pet. With silica gel crystals, especially larger granules, the tracking is almost nonexistent.

There are some options out there, where the cat litter crystals change color when they are at full capacity. This makes it easier to know when you need to change the litter. You can scoop the beads that are full, give the box a mix, and you have fresh litter. This ensures that your house smells better most time. You will probably need to do a full change only once a month. This could depend, of course, on the frequency with which your cat uses the litter. Now, this type of litter has cons too, and we are going to look at them in comparison to clumping cat litter.

Is Clumping Cat Litter Better?

Clumping cat litter usually uses bentonite clay, which is a natural clay that forms clumps when in contact with liquids. It can also be found in cosmetic products, especially those that treat acne and rashes. It has a softer, sand-like texture. But, compared to our other option, it’s way heavier and dustier. One of the good things about it is that it’s cheaper. Moreover, neither of the two is biodegradable. You need to keep in mind that the texture of the two litters is very different. It’s essential that your cat feels comfortable when using it.

When choosing or changing the litter for a cat, you should observe the behavior of your pet. Does the cat avoid the litter? If yes, you should definitely change it. Also know that a clay litter is usually not the best option for cats that have respiratory problems. While the crystals are not a great idea for very young cats, as they might chew on them and choke. Both have pros and cons, and the choice depends on your lifestyle and your cat’s preferences.

Is Crystal Litter Safe for Your Pet?

The simple answer would be safe! Silica gel is not toxic, but it’s recommended not to ingest it. And while it is considered safe, there are some risks that come with it that you should be aware of. They fall into three categories: ingestion, dust inhalation and paw comfort. Firstly, a small amount of silica gel ingested is not going to cause big problems. But if a kitten were to eat a larger amount, it could lead to a blockage. If your cat tends to act like this, you should be extremely careful. Then, the dust inhalation problem is way better here than with clumping cat litter, but it can still be a problem depending on the brand.

When it comes to paw comfort, the crystals might not be very liked by declawed cats or kittens with tender paws. This is something that you are going to find out only after you try it. Allow your pet to get used to the new litter before changing it back. The texture is new, so keep it for at least a few weeks. If your cat is avoiding the litter, angrily shaking their paws in the litter, or is visibly irritated by it, change it immediately.

Conclusion

If you want to be a responsible parent for your furry children, you need to ensure that everything around them does not put their health at risk. Whether you are choosing a crystal or clumping cat litter, make sure that your pet is comfortable with it. Take into consideration if your pet has any respiratory problems, declawed or tender paws, or if they have a tendency to chew on everything. Remember, it’s non-toxic, but they could chew on it if consumed in large amounts!