What to Do If Your Kitten Eats Cat Litter

Kittens are curious creatures that enjoy discovering the world and all it has to offer. One way that kittens learn about the world is by putting items in their mouths. Cat litter is no exception. If your kitten is eating cat litter you will need to break him of this behavior while he is still young. Doing so is easy with the right knowledge.

  1. Vet Trip

    • Take your kitten to the vet to be checked out if you notice your kitten eating cat litter to rule out any medical problems. Cat litter contains minerals, and a kitten eating it could be a sign of mineral deficiency. Kittens eating cat litter could also be suffering from anemia. Your vet can check for these medical problems to put your mind at rest.

    Manage the Situation

    • If your kitten is eating cat litter, keep an eye on her whenever she is up and active. Watch her when she goes to her litter box. If she goes there just to eat the litter, remove her and give her a toy to play with. Distracting your kitten from eating cat litter every time she attempts it should make her realize that eating litter is not fun, but playing is. If you catch her eating litter, pick her up immediately and remove the litter from her mouth. This will not be pleasant for the kitten, and should help her learn not to do it.

    Change Your Litter

    • There are many different types of cat litter available on the market. The most popular type is clumping cat litter. If you see your kitten eating this type of cat litter you should throw it out and look for an alternative type of litter. Clumping cat litter contains a natural clay which swells when it becomes wet, and can cause blockages and digestive issues if eaten by your kitten. Look for pellet litter, made from natural ingredients such as wheat, paper or wood shavings. Alternatively, line your litter box with newspaper. This need not be a long-term change, but until your kitten learns not to eat everything it sees, changing from clumping litter is the best solution.

    Feed a Healthy Food

    • Kittens and cats can eat strange things if they are not getting the right nutrients from the food you feed them. At the pet store, look for foods marked holistic, and avoid foods which have by-products listed in their ingredients. Also avoid meat meal, bone meal, and corn meal as these are filler foods with little nutritional value.