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what is special kitty litter made of

by Prof. Jake Gislason DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

sodium bentonite

Full Answer

How to make homemade kitty litter?

You need:

  • Cutter
  • All paper
  • Warm water
  • Dish soap
  • Sieve
  • Baking soda
  • Gloves (if you needed)

What is the best kitty litter that has no dust?

  • Hypoallergenic and free from additives that could irritate your cat
  • Dust free
  • Good odor control
  • Pellet litter is low-tracking
  • Made from biodegradable recycled materials

What mineral is used to make Kitty Litter?

Which Mineral is Used to Make Kitty Litter?

  1. Clay. Clay is the most famous mineral in kitty litters since the 1940s when Edward Lowe introduced the traditional clay called Fuller’s clay and has been used since then.
  2. Silica. Silica is another mineral used to make kitty litter, used in the form of dried silica gel. ...
  3. Plant-derived components of kitty litter. ...
  4. Odor control components. ...

Is kitty litter bad for the environment?

To wrap it up, your kitty cat litter is only bad for the environment if you don’t choose the right type. Clay litter, as well as silica or crystal litter, aren’t exactly eco-friendly due to the process that’s done to create them, such as surface mining and excessive fuel usage.

Is special kitty litter toxic?

Silica or Crystal Cat Litter: The ingredients in these cat litters are non-toxic to humans and pets.

Where does clay cat litter come from?

Clay Mining As Simon Moores has written for Industrial Minerals (IM), the “traditional coarse litter” is frequently sourced from southern states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida, while sodium bentonite is strip mined in the mid-northwest, in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

Is all cat litter clay based?

There are many different types of cat litters available, but essentially most of them fall into three distinct categories: clay-based, silica-based, and biodegradable.

Is kitty litter bentonite clay?

Most cat litter is made from bentonite clay, they type of clay that clumps in the presence of moisture.

Does clay litter hurt cats?

However, you must shop wisely and avoid clay, wheat, corn, crystal, and wood clumping litters. These clumping litters pose serious health risks to you and your cat. Breathing in these litters can cause respiratory issues, cancer, and starch-based litters are at risk for deadly mold.

What kind of clay is in cat litter?

bentonite clayToday, roughly 60% of the cat litter sold in the U.S. is of the clumping variety, and most of it is made from bentonite clay. Bentonite is largely composed of montmorillonite, a clay mineral made up of stacks of SiO4 sandwiched between two sheets of octahedrally coordinated aluminum, magnesium, or iron.

Is silica bad for cats?

Over time, crystalline silica can accumulate in your cat's lungs, resulting in a condition called silicosis, which causes shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity.

What is the safest cat litter to use?

Pine litter is the safest option for cat litter. It does not contain chemicals, toxic additives, or synthetic perfumes like litters made from silica gel or clay. It is low-dust, so, as a cat parent, you do not have to worry about its respiratory system and the toxic chemicals found in dust clouds.

What happens to clay cat litter?

As clay cat litter is not biodegradable, much of the waste ends up in landfill where it will likely stay forever. Even without the plastic bags and liners which are often used to dispose of litter, the clay does not naturally decompose, but will stick around for thousands of years (much like Roman clay pottery).

Is bentonite harmful to cats?

In this vet's opinion, if your cat shows any signs at all of eating foreign material such as litter, paper, or fabric, it is best to avoid litters with sodium bentonite. This is because ingesting even a small amount of material can cause an impaction in the stomach or intestines.

Is sodium bentonite harmful to humans?

Sodium bentonite clay, a mined clay, is often used as a main ingredient in the litter. This substance can be very harmful as it absorbs 15 times its original volume meaning, if ingested, it can cause severe health issues and even death.

Why should you not use clay litter?

If your cat is using a clay litter, those airborne particles can be inhaled and cause irritation, an allergic reaction, and even an asthma attack. According to vets at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, repeat exposure to allergens like clay dust cause the immune system to go into hyperdrive.

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