While searching for Maine Coon breeders, I contacted a MC breeder that I had purchased a cat from 13 years. She was telling me that one of her females had to have surgery to remove a section of her intestine due to clumping cat litter that had lodged in her. She advised us not to use the clupming litter,however, it seems that's about all you can find in the stores.

I know that when Shadow uses his catbox, the litter will stick to him where he is wet and he washes it off. It seems that this could be a problem. Has anyone had or heard of such a problem?

Please advise.

Linda

-- Anonymous, August 18, 1999

Answers

Yes, I've heard of such a problem and even switched to another kind of litter because of the scare stories circulating. However, recently I switched back after a discussion with a vet who claims that the clumping cat litter danger is largely a myth. He claims that the American Veterninary Association has done studies on this and has never come up with any proof that the litter is dangerous. He also told me that a cat would have to ingest a large amount of the litter for it to cause problems. I'm still not entirely convinced that I trust his opinion, so I may switch back to a non-clumping litter or a clumping litter made from wheat or newspaper. My reason tells me that millions of cats use clumping litter so it's probably the unusual case where illness results. But I still have some concern.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 1999

We have three cats in our family and all are trained to use the same litter box. My wife cleans the box at lease three times a day and has always used clumping litter. We are not brand loyal as long as it's of good quailty. We have never had any problem with our feline kids injesting any litter but I to have heard of this problem. Long ago, when this type of litter first came out, I asked my Vet about possible problems. He told us not to worry and to just keep using it. Knock on wood, we have continued to have no problems with clumping litter. I would trust your Vet and use what makes your cat happy.

Best of luck,

Jack & Doris Mrozinski

-- Anonymous, August 20, 1999

I definitely will NOT use clumping litter for our Maine Coon cats. One major reason why is because on any of the longhair cats, litter does get stuck on their fur and, being cats, they naturally have to clean themselves up. It makes sense, therefore, that the cats would be ingesting a fair amount of fine granules over time. I think it is safer to use for the shorthair cats but for me, there is no way I am going to take the chance. I have heard of cats (through my vet) who have experienced problems with the clumping litter and I do not personally know any MC breeders who use it. No one I have heard of (except maybe the manufacturers!!) recommends to use it for kittens and what I wouldn't use on kittens due to safety concerns, I also wouldn't use on my cats!

-- Anonymous, August 23, 1999

I've used clumping litter in the past, but had to switch because my Maine Coon cat, Quincy, had terrible wheezing and coughing attacks. I was using a product called Feline Pine, but one of my other cats rejected that. Now I'm using a product called Litter Pearls. It's pretty exspensive, but it's worth it to have Quincy healthy again.

Jennifer Hayden

-- Anonymous, August 25, 1999

I have been useing the new litter that is made of cidar it seems to be working alright. I have three cats and they are useing it. with no trouble. It's keeping the smell down and it called Cidarific. Has anyone else used this litter?

-- Anonymous, September 01, 1999

I would definitely be concerned about any clumping litter that is comprised of clay, or bentonite as it may say on the label. You never know if your cat will be one of the unfortunate statistics that we have all heard about. There are some safe alternative litters which clump in the box, but not in the gut (sounds like an M&M commercial!). The one that I just discovered is called World's Best Cat Litter. It is made from corn. Although it is expensive, it lasts a long time because once you clean out the dirty part the rest is as good as new, so you only have to replenish it rather than always doing a complete change. My box rarely smells anymore. It's only been a month since I changed over, and I have noticed a dramatic difference already. I hated paying the high price, but it has been worth it. And since it is made only of corn, it dissolves in the GI tract as any other food source would. The other drawback is that it is hard to find, so check the website to find out where to get it.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2000

I personally believe that "World's Best Cat Litter" is superior to any other cat litter on the market! It is organic and flushable. Cedarific is also a very good product but does not clump as well and has a bit more dust. I would never use a clay or betonite product that is not flushable. If it will clog up pipes, imagine what it will do to kittens'/cats' intestinal tracts. All of the evidence is not in. Beware!

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001