Is Kitty Litter harmful? Should I be concerned???

Question

My 14 month old daughter just ate a small handful of kitty litter- it was not a 'clump', or we'd be at the ER right now. It was just some loose kitty litter she'd gotten into. I don't think she swallowed much, if any, of it. Should I be terribly concerned??? Please, only serious answers....

(Revised) My 14 month old daughter just ate a small amount of cat littler. It was just some loose litter that had fallen from the box, but I'm still a bit worried. She hasn't acted any differently (except that she was mad that I took it out of her mouth...).

Thanks to everyone who has answered thus-far. But I lost my cell phone this morning, so can't call poison control, and her doctor isn't in this town.

Answer 1

it's probably fine, but the best thing to do when your children swallow something it to contact either a pharmacist of the poison control center.. both are quick and easy calls.. here is a link to the poison control center with it's toll free number.

http://www.1-800-222-1222.info/FAQs/home.asp

Answer 2

Cat feces carry an infection called Toxoplasmosis. In most adults who catch this, it cause flu-like symptoms (and like chicken pox, once you've gotten it - you're immune to it). In younger children it can be more harmful. It can kill unborn babies which is why pregnant women should not change the cat litter.

I think you should follow the advise of everyone else here and call the poison control center. You might also want to take her to your pediatritian and have her tested for toxoplasmosis as the loose kitty litter may have been in contact with cat feces. In my mind it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 3

Do you still have the bag or box that it came in? It should have some sort of information on it. If not, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and it will route you to your nearest Poison Control Center.

Answer 4

I wouldn't bring her to the ER .. but I might bring her to the family doctor and see if he wants to run some kind of blood test. It is impossible to know if there may have been some kind of worm .. or whatever. It doesn't have to be "clumped" to be dirty kitty litter. They paw the litter all over the box .. both clean and dirty. If it was my daughter, I would NOT panic .. just have it checked out by a doctor. Good Luck ! :)

Answer 5

on the bag or box there will be indications and a phone number,
if you don't have the package,
call up the store where you usually buy it, and get the phone number from them
they cann tell you the best and fastest what the possible effects are

and was this clumping litter?
or was it the clay type?

Answer 6

I think she will be fine I believe its the kitty poo that's harm full so if she didn't eat that than she will be fine. You could also look on the back of the litter package and it will tell you what to do if swallowed.

Answer 7

I doubt its a big deal, but call this poison control number to put your mind at ease 1-800-222-1222

I think I'd be more worried about bacteria than anything.

Answer 8

I think it's pretty much sand and maybe some baking powder products. Probably not a big deal, but you could call the patient advisory nurse at your local hospital to be sure. If you have Ipecac (sp?) on hand, that would get it out of her, but check with a nurse first.

Answer 9

Fresh, unused litter out of the bag is virtually harmless in small doses. But, cat poo is likely to carry Toxicaris parasites. Talk to your doctor about this...quickly.

Answer 10

Since most kitty litter is natural, I wouldn't worry too much- but you should still call a hospital.