Litter Boxes

[timber-]

I was told to use non-clumping kitty litter for young kittens. I'm finding it a bit hard to keep his litter box clean since his pee doesn't clump as good. It's a bit smelly in his crate because of this. Does anyone know what the reasoning is behind not using the clumping type?

[pamela81]

My 2 dont like the gravelly type litter, we use wood pellets and they are good, holds the smell alot better.

No idea on a nanswer for your question though sorry

[timber-]

I'm going to look into those then since they hold the smell better. Thank you :)

[dinky]

Timber,the reason why it is unsafe to use a clumping litter with very young kittens is that kittens often play in,and eat the litter. This is very much a kitten thing. Older cats don't do it.Clumping litter, if swallowed, can set rock hard inside your kitten and this can kill him. .Check on the internet re the dangers of clumping litter.When my babies were very young, I used a hemp cat litter which is very soft, totally safe if swallowed and does not track.I used this litter for the first 6 months then switched to clumping litter. One of mine has very furry feet and even though he is now fine with clumping litter ,every day ,I have to pull hard bits of this litter off his paws because it sets hard on his fur.Good luck with your choice of litter for your darling Cheddar.

[fecto's mum]

Didn't know that about clumping litter and kittens, thanks Dinky. We have always used wood based. There is a recycled paper litter that might suit him, it will be softer on his paws. Our Barnaby had very smelly wee until we had him neutered.

[Velvet]

We have seven cats & always used clumping litter - Cats Best & never had problems x

[angieh]

Yes, thanks for the info Dinky - I didn't know that about clumping litter either! Mine are both adult and generally go outdoors but I do have a litter tray for emergencies/bad weather and use Cats Best - excellent product IMO as I can flush the "bits" and just top up the litter. Not that it gets used very often.

[pamela81]

i tried the paper litter and found it was terrible for holding the smell.

[fecto's mum]

Paper litter doesn't absorb odours, I agree, but it's soft on kittens paws. I have found a very cheap source of Snowflake cat litter at Home Bargains, it's even cheaper than Blue Ribbon horse bedding, (which is really wood based cat litter).