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Cats/type of litter for kittens

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Expert: - 4/10/2009


Question
i have read many different answers but am still unsure about what type of litter is best for kittens. should i use clay or something natural?

Answer
Deb,

I generally recommend that people use a clumping, unscented kitty litter for cats and kittens because in my experience these litters seem to be well accepted. There are many different types of clumping kitty litters besides the traditional clay. Your kitten will ultimately be the boss when it comes to choosing a litter because if s/he doesn't like the litter you'll be made aware. You could try clumping litters made from wheat or corn, they may also contain natural enzymes to help reduce litter box odor. There is substantial concern about the chemicals and dust from clay based clumping kitty litters so I would try to go with something more natural. If your kitten doesn't like the clumping litters made from wheat or corn you could try using a non clumping litter made from recycled newspaper - it's called yesterday's news. The disadvantage with this type of litter is that it should be dumped every 2-3 days or so to prevent bacteria from building up and causing unpleasant odors, the solid waste should also be scooped out daily and when the litter box is dumped it should be cleaned using dish soap and hot water, rinsed with a weak bleach solution (5 parts water to one part bleach) to disinfect it while clumping litters need to have waste scooped out daily and they should be entirely dumped once weekly and cleaned using the same method as I described for the non clumping litter. It's more economical to use clumping litters and most cats don't have an issue with those made from wheat or corn. It's important to be aware that you should have at least one litter box per cat plus one, if you have a multi-story home that should be increased for young kittens to one box per cat plus one per floor to avoid accidents.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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