What Are the Dangers of My Cat Eating His Clumping Litter?

Our feline friends, domesticated for indoor living, use a box -- provided by us -- to eliminate their feces. These boxes are filled with a variety of substances, depending on what you and your cat prefer. Unfortunately, some cats eat the substances we provide to cover their feces and their feces, as well. This habit, known as pica, happens for various reasons and can be detrimental to your cat's health.

  1. Why Cats Eat Litter

    • Often cats -- usually kittens -- eat litter simply for the experience or to be playful, according to the VetInfo website. Older cats with a habit of eating feces have a condition called pica. Pica is not exclusive to litter. Cats with pica have a tendency to eat odd items such as plastic, wool and cardboard. This habit "accounts for about 2.5 percent of odd cat behavior," VetInfo says, and possibly is caused by a mineral deficiency, anemia or mental illness.

    Litter Substances

    • Litter box fillers are made of clay, recycled newspaper, corn, wheat and pine products. Clumping litter, a fairly new substance for cat boxes, contains sodium bentonite. The colloidal properties in sodium bentonite pull together the clay pieces and your cat's liquid and solid elimination. If your cat is a litter eater, consider changing to a litter box filler that is made of wheat, corn or pine.

    Litter Additives

    • If your kitty is in the habit of eating his litter, avoid adding scented crystals, baking soda or commercial deodorizers to the box, as the chemicals in these substances could be harmful to feline digestive systems.

    Consequences for Your Cat

    • If your cat takes to ingesting anything abnormal, she should be examined by a veterinarian. Ingestion of litter that contains sodium bentonite can especially cause gastrointestinal problems and can cause blockage. Symptoms of blockage, according to veterinarian Arnold Plotnick, include vomiting and diarrhea. Surgery for a blockage might be necessary.