Choosing litter for cats with asthma can be a frustrating process. There are so many options out there, and no one wants to make the wrong choice. There are some litter types that I wouldn’t recommend for cats with asthma, and others that I would. Let’s look at some of the things to consider when choosing the best litter for cats with asthma.
Table of Contents
What is Cat Asthma?
Cat asthma is the term for a chronic condition in cats in which the airways become inflamed and irritated. Similar to humans, cats have tiny tubes in their lungs called bronchioles.
When these tubes get inflamed or irritated, it causes the same symptoms that people get with asthma: difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing.
The Best Cat Litters for Cats With Asthma
Here are our top picks for cat litter that you may wish to try out to help with your cat’s asthma.
Boxiecat Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Boxiecat is an all-natural cat litter that helps remove unpleasant odors from your home. It also forms a rock-hard clump on the top of the box, so you can easily scoop out the entire amount. This makes cleaning up after your cat a breeze!
Most cat litters are made from clay that is mined from the earth. This clay is very dusty and contains chemicals that are not good for your cat or the environment. The Premium Clumping Cat Litter by Boxiecat is made from a natural material that is biodegradable, dust-free, absorbs moisture, and contains no chemicals. This cat litter has been tested on cats with asthma and is 100% safe for your cat and the environment.
Worlds Best Cat Litter – Original Unscented
Cleanup is a snap with this natural cat litter that clumps fast and has outstanding odor control. Plus, it’s naturally dust-free, so there are no silica dust particles to irritate your cat’s respiratory system. This litter also contains no chemicals or binders that could be harmful to your cat.
sWheat Scoop Natural Fast-Clumping Wheat Cat Litter
sWheat Scoop is a natural, odor-controlled cat litter that is perfect for your asthmatic cat. The enzymes and starches in this litter enhance the clumping action and make the odor of cat urine and other pet smells virtually disappear.
Unlike most cat litters, which rely on clay to absorb moisture and odors, sWheat Scoop is made with all-natural ingredients and has no added dyes or perfumes. The enzymes and starches in this litter come from renewable resources such as wheat grown on American farms.
Yesterday’s News Unscented Cat Litter
For over 30 years, Purina has been a leading provider of quality pet food and supplies. They are now proud to introduce a line of products specifically designed for the unique needs of cats. These include Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Cat Litter which features soft, non-toxic pellets made from 100% recycled paper.
This litter also absorbs three times its weight in moisture and is 99.9% dust-free.
PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal Non-Clumping Cat Litter
This is an excellent litter for both cats and people with allergies. It has a very smooth texture which makes it easy to scoop and removes waste quickly and completely. The non-clumping aspect of this litter helps to minimize tray odors. Plus, this litter is made with safe, biodegradable ingredients so it is completely safe for your cat (and you!) to use.
This unique formula has been engineered to be extremely fine yet completely dust-free. It is clinically proven to be safe for cats with sensitive skin and those with asthma.
Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
Naturally Fresh is the only litter on the market that is 100% natural, dust-free and low in chemicals. It is made with 100% post-consumer recycled walnut shells and contains no clay, no alfalfa, no sawdust, no wheat, and no artificial ingredients of any kind. The result is a clean, fresh-smelling litter that your cat will love to use!
ökocat Dust-Free Natural Paper Non-Clumping Cat Litter Pellets with Odor Control
With a wide selection of natural cat litters, you can find the one that best suits your cat’s needs. Paper pellet cat litters are a great choice for homes with allergies or sensitive skin. They also make cleaning the box quick and easy. Dust-Free Natural Paper Pellet Cat Litter with Odor Control is the ultimate solution for homes with asthmatic cats.
What type of litter to use when your cat has asthma
There are a few types of cat litter that you can buy for your cat, but there are some that are better for your cat than others. Here are the main types that you will need to consider.
Silica litters for cats with asthma
This type of litter is the best for cats with asthma. Cats that have asthma tend to be sensitive to very fine particles and this type of litter allows for much more effective filtration.
Natural litters for cats with asthma
Cats with asthma also like this type of litter. It has a nice neutral smell that most cats seem to like. There are many different brands of natural litters on the market, but the main difference between them is the type of material from which they are made. Some are made from recycled newspaper and cardboard while others are made from organic materials such as corn cobs.
Clay litter for cats with asthma
This type of litter is not usually recommended for cats with asthma. Clay litters contain very fine particles that are too small for cats with asthma to effectively remove from their system.
Luckily there are a few clay litters on the market that are virtually dust-free and safe for your asthmatic cat.
FAQ
What Are the Causes of Asthma in Cats?
The exact cause of asthma in cats is unknown, but you may be able to identify a pattern in your cat’s asthma (such as seasonal or weather-related asthma) which may help your veterinarian make a diagnosis and treat your cat’s condition.
Allergies and environmental factors such as dust mites are often suspected as possible causes of asthma in cats, but this is not always the case.
Symptoms of Asthma in Cats
Cats with asthma usually have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing – especially when lying down or sleeping
- Wheezing or whistling breathing sounds
- Rapid or shallow breathing Increased respiratory rate
- Excessive mucus production in the airways
A cat with asthma may also experience coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. If your cat has any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If left untreated, an acute episode of asthma can be fatal for a cat.
How Is Feline Asthma Diagnosed?
Diagnosing feline asthma is not always easy. Asthma symptoms can be similar to other respiratory conditions and it is especially hard to diagnose in cats because they do not have to have a cough during an attack.
However, if your cat does have a chronic or recurrent episode of wheezing or difficulty breathing, your veterinarian will probably perform one or more of the following tests:
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) – This involves taking a needlelike instrument called a bronchoscope and inserting it into the cat’s airway up to the level of the lungs. Then, a sterile saline solution is squirted into the airways and any fluid or mucus that collects on the bronchoscope is withdrawn and examined under a microscope. This procedure allows your vet to examine the cells in your cat’s airways for any abnormalities that may indicate asthma. Your vet may also use a special stain that identifies eosinophils – a type of white blood cell – which are often present in high numbers in cats with asthma.
Sputum culture – This involves taking a sample of your cat’s sputum (mucus) and growing it in a laboratory culture medium.
What is the Medical Treatment for Feline Asthma?
The treatment for feline asthma, as for humans with asthma, is to control the inflammation of the airways and to reduce the inflammation of the airways by inhaling anti-inflammatory drugs. This does not cure asthma.
If the inflammation is not controlled, the inflammation/swelling of the airways will get worse, leading to a narrowing of the airways, as well as difficulty in breathing.
Can breathing in cat litter harm you?
It’s unlikely that you’ll get any health problems from breathing in cat litter. However, if the cat litter has been around for a long time, or if there are cat parasites in the litter, there is a possibility of your developing a lung infection.
The life expectancy of cats with asthma
The life expectancy of cats with asthma is as long as that of a normal cat. But, the treatment is expensive and in most cases, daily medication is necessary. The good news is that a number of cats can be kept off medication if proper care is taken. The most important thing is to keep your cat indoors.
Caring for a Cat With Asthma
If you have a cat with asthma, there are some things you can do to help him:
Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your house
This will remove many of the particles in the air that can cause your cat’s asthma attacks.
Some people have found that their cat’s asthma attacks have stopped completely when they have used an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
Keep him indoors as much as possible
This will limit his exposure to pollen, dust mites, and other particles in the air that can trigger his asthma. Cats with asthma are very vulnerable to attacks when they are exposed to dust and pollen. Keeping them inside where the air is clean reduces this risk.
Keep your room well ventilated to allow clean air into the home
Cats with asthma should never sleep in a stuffy or closed-up room. Make sure there are plenty of windows in the room your cat sleeps in so he has access to fresh air.
Vets recommend a minimum of one window in the room so your cat can get fresh air and sunlight.
If you have two or more windows in the room, make sure they are on opposite sides of the room. This will give your cat fresh air and sunshine from different angles.
My name is Ben and I am a cat lover. I’m not a professional writer or a doctor or an expert of any kind on anything. But I am a guy who likes to share what little knowledge and experience I have with others.
