What Is a Healthy Alternative to Clumping Clay Cat Litter?

Clumping cat litter can cause constipation and intestinal blockage when ingested. According to the ASPCA, dangers arise only when the litter becomes a meal; Trace amounts ingested via self-grooming have not proved dangerous in scientific studies. Alternative litters prevent potential health issues altogether.

  1. Biodegradable

    • Litters produced from natural materials such as wood, paper, corn or other plant products have the least environmental impact. Some litter brands come from beet pulp or peanut shells. While clay litter takes up ample landfill space -- think of how much just one cat can produce -- these natural litters break down safely. Whether they satisfy the cat is another matter. A 1990 study by animal behaviorist Dr. Peter Borchelt found that cats ignored wood, grain and paper litters when clumping clay alternatives were present, so they may not rank high on your cat̵7;s preferential totem pole.

    Crystals

    • Silica-based litter boasts notable moisture-wicking ability and odor control. The inert mineral naturally forms small crystal pellets. The sandlike material functions as non-clumping litter. Much like clumping clay litter, a large quantity of silica litter will cause constipation or intestinal blockage if ingested. Writing for the ASPCA website, certified professional dog trainer Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T., confirmed that trace amounts of litter a cat will inevitably ingest will pass "without problems."

    Non-Litter Litter

    • In your quest for a healthy litter, consider skipping packaged litter entirely. The ASPCA suggests using uncooked long-grain rice for cats who are recovering from surgery. Cats who don̵7;t take to other alternative litters may do fine with plain sand purchased from a home improvement store, according to the Humane Society of the United States website. Cats accustomed to doing their business outside may favor dirt, which you can mix into any other type of litter to suit your cat̵7;s preferences.

    Selecting a Litter

    • Experiment with different types of litter to find one that works for you and your cat. When testing options, keep in mind that cats individual have unique preferences. Beyond the litter material itself, cats care about litter depth, whether the box is covered, and convenience of location, among other factors. A finicky cat may avoid a box because he'd prefer it in a different location, or he likes digging a deeper hole than your box allows. Before dismissing a litter as cat-disapproved, consider whether his aversion could be to the noisy television nearby or to a closed box's confinement. Consult a veterinarian if your cat avoids the litter box after you've tried several locations, litter depths, box types and litters.