Is it true that I shouldn't use scoopable cat litter for my kittens?

Question

If so, why?

Answer 1

I heard that too but I had already started using it & didn't have a problem.

It's because some kittens eat it & it will cause big problems if they do. You could start them off with regular clay litter and change to scoopable as soon as they are used to it being their "bathroom". It shouldn't take long. You can still scoop out their poop (although you should always leave a bit in there for them to recognize it as their "bathroom").

Answer 2

II guess anything they could eat that's not food could cause a problem. However, very young kittens won't be able to get in the box unless momma puts them there.

When kittens first start to run around they fall on their faces a lot. Since their mouth and nose are moist, any litter will stick to it. So if you see litter on their faces, wipe it off.

The only kind I definitely would not use is the crystal litter. This litter is usually larger pieces and can draw the moisture out of the kitten's tissues and does it much faster than any other kind. This is why it's not a good thing to use for kittens.

Litter training for kittens is easier when the individual pieces of litter are very small. Think about it -- kittens paws are small and soft, so bigger pieces are harder for them to use and probably hurt.

When the kittens master the art of running around, they will play in the litter box. This is a good thing because they will smell what momma has left and figure out this is the place to do it.

Kittens are such fun to watch and play with. They grow up so fast!

Answer 3

I've never heard that before, and we've had lots of cats over the years. Most cats do not want eat and go potty in the same place, but if you did have a problem with a kitten who wanted to eat the litter, there is a brand called Fresh Results that I get at Wal-Mart. It's made entirely from corn, and it's so lightweight, when you fill up the litterbox it weighs less than half of what clay litters do. It also seems to clump better and faster, and there is no dust.

Answer 4

Yes - that is TRUE. Some kittens experiment on eating cat litter. Clumping clay litter when ingested clogs up a kitten's intestines and causes death. Even if the kittens do not actually eat the litter, they still can ingest some of it through licking their paws after using the litter box. Some responsible kitty litter producers do have a warning on their boxes NOT to use the litter for cats under 1 year old.

Answer 5

I don't think it is true. I have 11 cats and have raised them all from 6 week kittens for a period of 11 years. I have never had any problems with scoopable litter. I have never used anything else. I prefer Dillons brand of Pet Pride Scoopable since I think it performs the best.

Answer 6

You can't use scoopable litter for very young kittens, because they haven't yet learned the difference between their food and their wastes, and clumping kitty litter can kill them if they eat enough of if. Once they're older, though, it's fine.

Answer 7

I haven't heard that about scoopable litter but I use Feline Pine. When we first brought our cat home, we tried regular cat litter (like Johnny Cat). I found that the litter created a really fine dust that made me cough all of the time. Feline Pine is great because you can flush it or use it in compost. It doesn't make the dust at all.

Answer 8

i don't think thats true. We got our kitten when he was about 6 weeks old and i used scoopable cat litter for him and he's now 6 months and he seems ok (well, he's abit of a nutter but i doubt thats anything to do with his litter lol). Not sure about what he had before we got him though.

Answer 9

The reason whoever told you that said not to use clumping litter, is for very small kittens. They can't see very well, and they want to smell everything to know whats going on. Sometimes they'll end up with it on their nose, and in their mouth.. and it's obviously bad for their intestinal tract. the clumping=ness is whats so bad.. although im sure eating litter isnt great. As long as the kittens arent young enough to mistakingly eat it, by licking it off their noses and such.. you should be fine! :)

Answer 10

Both the shelter and the vet told me not to use clumping litter until my kittens were 4 months old because they can swallow it and it can cause problems and also it can be bad for their respiratory system when they're that young.