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The Best Litter for asthmatic cats is Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Silica Cat Litter
Do you have a cat who suffers from asthma? Or maybe you do (and don’t even know it). If so, I’m sure you want to find the absolute best cat litter for your asthma-prone cats.
If you’ve ever searched for “the best kitty litter for cats with asthma”, you already know how frustrating it can be to find real accurate information about litter that’s made for asthmatic cats.
While there are numerous products on the market, not all of them are created equal.
According to the American Lung Association, about 10-20 percent of all cats show some form of allergic respiratory disease, which may include asthma.
Choosing the best litter for cats with asthma is one of the most important parts of managing cat asthma and preventing lung inflammation. This kitty litter should absorb liquids well and clump up easily.
There are 2 main types of litter: clumping clay litter and non-clumping plant-based litter. However, there are also natural alternatives like wood pellets and wood fiber.
So, are there proven litters that are approved for asthmatic cats?
Getting the right litter for your asthmatic cat is a big decision because you want your kitten to grow into a healthy adult.
For this to happen, you have to provide them with an optimal environment. This includes making sure they have the right asthma kitty litter among other things.
With this post, I hope to help stop this frustration by providing honest information about the best litter for cats with asthma as well as some helpful recommendations to manage the chronic condition.
This is not a medical journal. I’m just a cat enthusiast who’s sharing my knowledge with fellow cat owners and so I will speak in plain language.
Heads up:
The Best Cat Litter for Asthmatic Cats Top Picks
If you are pressed for time, here are the top 5 picks for the best litter for cats with asthma that I recommend for your feline friends:
- Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Silica Cat Litter
- Ökocat Natural Paper Cat Litter
- Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter
- World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
- Boxiecat Premium Unscented Clumping Clay Litters
What’s the best litter for cats with asthma?
The best litter for cats with asthma are low or no dust, non-clay-based, respiratory relief cat litters.
Non-clumping litter has less dust than clumping litter, generally.
Clay cat litters are a no-go zone for cats with respiratory issues. This is because the dust from the clay litter can irritate the air passages in your cat and trigger an asthmatic attack on your cat.
If your cat has allergies, stay clear of litters made from pine, corn, and wheat since they may irritate the respiratory tract of your cat.
Cat owners benefit from this in case they are sensitive to litter dust.
The best litter for asthmatic cats:
1. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Silica Cat Litter:
Dr. Elsey respiratory relief cat litter has the following key features:
Odor control: Immediately upon contact with urine, it traps the urine and odor.
Non-clumping: Dr. Elsey’s precious kitty litter is non-clumping. This is silica gel crystal cat litter made specifically with cats with asthma in mind. The crystal litter is fine and sand-like, gentle on the paws of your cat.
Ps: Remember to scoop the litter box once a day and stir the litter to maintain the cat litter freshness.
Pros:
- The silica gel crystals contain a hypoallergenic formula that is ideal for cats with asthma
- In addition, it contains stress-reducing herbal essences.
- Dr. Elsey’s litter is low in dust and is non-toxic.
- It doesn’t contain any perfumes, deodorants, or even irritating plant proteins.
Cons:
- Silica litters track and also stick on your cat’s paws and legs after he leaves the litter box creating a messy affair.
- Doesn’t have clumping abilities and hence not easily scooped out
- Requires frequent changing especially when you have a multi-cat household and this may cumulatively become expensive.
- In some instances the odor absorption may not be stellar.
2. Ökocat Natural Paper Cat Litter, Dust Free Cat Litter
It is one of the best dust-free cat litter on the market.
Eco-friendly: This is non-clumping cat litter made from recycled paper and it is 100% dust-free and great for your cats with asthma.
It is suitable for you too, the cat owner, in case you are sensitive to kitty litters.
Lightweight litter: The cat litter is naturally lightweight and easy to lift.
Pros:
- It is a non-clumping cat litter and the liquid waste is quickly and completely absorbed by the paper pellets.
- It traps odors within the pellet fibers using odor shield technology. Ökocat cat litter prides itself to control the odors for up to a week, before changing the litter.
- The cat litter is biodegradable and hence doesn’t cause environmental pollution.
- It is flushable which makes cleaning the litter box easier.
- The litter is additive-free, fragrance and deodorant-free.
- It’s hypoallergenic, hence ideal for cats with asthma.
Cons:
- The litter pellets are small and hence easily tracked and they stick on the cat’s paws after using the litter box.
- It’s a non-clumping cat litter
- The litter may have an unpleasant odor upon purchase.
3. Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter
The Purina Yesterday’s News unscented paper cat litter is made from non-abrasive pellets crafted from recycled paper.
It has the following key features:
- There are no added fragrances
- It is a non-clumping cat litter.
- Free from harmful chemicals, making it a safe, nontoxic litter
Pros:
- It is easily adaptable by your cat. Cats sometimes can be picky on which type of litter to use and this one has proven over time to be a favorite of cats.
- Cats instinctively go for fine, sand-like litters that resemble the natural soil. This litter has been designed to mimic this.
- It is virtually free from dust
- Almost zero tracking in the house.
- It has effective odor control inside litter boxes.
- It absorbs 3x the urine moisture by mass than your traditional clay cat litter.
Cons:
- Litter box scooping isn’t that easy since the litter doesn’t fall through the scoop seamlessly from the litter boxes.
- Some tiny particles do track
- The odor control may not be excellent in some case
4. World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
Description
Odor control: It traps litter box odors by forming tight easy scoop litter clumps.
Dust-free: It’s completely free of silica dust as it is a virtually dust-free litter
Flushable: It’s safe for both septic and sewer systems.
Key Benefits:
- Great odor control ensuring that your home smells clean 24/7
- Due to the great clumping abilities, it makes it easy for you to scoop the litter without any scraping needed.
- It is lightweight litter and easily portable
- It is 100% free from harmful chemicals and made from whole kernel corn
Cons:
- It may be easily tracked
- Not completely scent-free
5. Boxiecat Premium Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Description
Eco-friendly: It’s a clumping cat litter made from 100% all-natural clumping clay
It is made in the USA
Key Benefits of the Boxiecat Premium Clay Litter
- It is a low dust cat litter-Virtually dust free and great for asthmatic cats
- It is scent-free and gets rid of ammonia odors effectively in the litter box
- Easily scoopable clay litter: It is easily scoopable due to the good clumping abilities
Cons of the Boxiecat Premium Clay Litter:
- Slightly expensive
- It may track outside the litter box
What’s feline asthma?
I jumped the gun, let’s talk about what cat asthma is all about.
Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by the inflammation of the small airways in the lungs.
Although incurable, it can be managed with the right care, attention, and medication to enable him to lead a normal, happy, and vibrant life.
Causes of kitty asthma:
The most rampant cause is an allergic reaction to inhaled allergens that irritate the cat’s immune defense system.
Allergens include:
- Pollen
- Clay litters
- Dust mites
- Grass
- Mold
- Tobacco smoke
- Household cleaning agents among others.
Cats are most susceptible between the ages of 2-8 years and females have a higher prevalence. Certain cat species may have a genetic predisposition to asthma.
The average age of cats diagnosed with asthma is between 4 to 5 years. It’s not gender-selective, although some studies have shown that Siamese cats may be predisposed to asthma, this has not been definitively proven.
Human beings are easy to diagnose because they can speak. What happens when your cat has asthma and you are too busy with life to even notice?
How to tell that your cat has asthma
Classical signs include:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing
- Cat coughing or gagging
- Rapid breathing
- Open-mouthed breathing
- Neck strained upwards and gasping for breath
- Audible throat gurgling
These signs vary in intensity, happen spontaneously, and may not happen all at once. If you detect these signs, contact your veterinarian.
Natural remedies for feline asthma:
1. Journal the signs and symptoms:
Identifying the trigger is not all in black and white. Keep a journal and begin eliminating possible irritants and document any changes you see in your asthmatic cats.
2. Frequent cleaning and vacuuming:
Since irritants are top on the list of causative agents, frequently clean your house.
Vacuum and change the air filters to keep the air clean.
Consider carefully the cleaning agents and air fresheners you use as some of them may trigger an attack.
3. Get family support:
Inform everyone who accesses the house about your cat’s condition and urge them to be more cautious about what they bring into the house including guests.
A foreign perfume or dust can trigger asthma attacks.
How to prevent an asthma attack in cats
You can conduct allergy testing to determine the root cause of feline asthma and remove the relevant triggers where possible.
Here are simple hacks to apply:
- Avoid smoking around your feline friend.
- Invest in the best cat litter for odor control.
- Avoid using perfumes or air fresheners, carpet deodorizers, and aerosol products.
- Invest in dust-free natural litters for asthma-prone cats.
- Eliminate cat stressors in his environment as they may aggravate the condition.
- Offer your cat a healthy balanced diet plus exercise to avoid obesity.
- Has your cat tested for any internal parasites regularly?
- Invest in a humidifier especially during winter since dry air can trigger an attack.
Factors to consider when choosing feline asthma-friendly litters?
I’ll break down the key features you should look out for when choosing litter for your cat with asthma.
- Clay litters are a no-go zone for cats with respiratory issues. This is because the dusty litter can irritate the air passages in your cat and trigger an asthmatic attack on your cat. Ensure you go for a virtual dust-free, non-clay-based, respiratory relief cat litter.
- Avoid litters for cats that contain strong perfumes and scents which could trigger an asthmatic attack.
- Consider going for natural cat litter made from ingredients such as recycled paper, corn, and wood. This cat litter is good for cats with asthma as they are devoid of cat litter dust. Just ensure they don’t carry any strong scents.
You may have to sacrifice clumping and odor control since most low dust litters have poor clumping abilities.
Pro tip:
4. Finally, always go with an uncovered cat litter box to avoid trapping the ammonia from the cat urine, which has the potential to irritate the cat’s airways.
Watch this 2-minute video on how to use an asthma inhaler:
What is the best litter for cats with respiratory problems?
If you have a cat that has breathing problems, the best cat litter should be dust-free. It should also have no chemicals and preferably be unscented to avoid making your cat’s breathing worse.
This is because of the chemicals and dust particles that can get into their lungs and cause them to have problems breathing.
To avoid triggering any respiratory problems, then you should consider natural litters.
Dusty kitty litter can irritate your cat’s eyes and nose, making the symptoms of upper respiratory infections worse.
Cat lovers have found that the best cat litter for an upper respiratory infection is Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Silica Cat Litter.
Can cat litter cause respiratory problems in cats?
Yes, cat litter can cause respiratory problems in cats.
Cats that are diagnosed with asthma or other respiratory diseases should not be exposed to dusty cat litter products.
One study found that cats who were exposed to clumping litters had a higher risk of developing nasal tumors than those exposed to non-clumping litters.
These tumors were more common in cats who were exposed to clumping litter before they were 12 months old.
Another study found that cats who spent less time in dusty environments (such as where cat litter was used or where it was stored) had a lower risk of developing chronic bronchitis or asthma.
Most clay litters for cats contain silica dust, which is a known carcinogen.
Silica dust particles are so tiny that they stay suspended in the air for long periods and are easily inhaled. This causes inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract, which results in sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.
While there is no such thing as completely dust-free litter, natural litters do produce less dust than other types of clay or silica litters.
In addition to using a low-dust litter, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to help control your cat’s symptoms and prevent worsening of respiratory disease.
You may have to sacrifice clumping and odor control since most low dust litters have poor clumping abilities.
Pro tip:
Is Pine litter safe for cats with asthma?
Pine litter is safe for cats with asthma.
It is one of the most highly recommended types of litter for kitties with asthma.
As long as the pine litter you choose doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or dyes, it should be safe for your cat to use.
Cats with asthma tend to prefer clumping litter because it is easy to remove from a cat litter pan. However, the dust particles that clumping litters release into the air can cause problems for cats with asthma.
Pine litter does not have this problem and is recommended by many vets as a good alternative for cats with asthma.
Is cat litter bad for asthma?
The short answer is, that cat litter isn’t bad for asthma.
A more detailed answer would involve a few things.
First, what type of cat litter are you using? Clay-type litter or unscented low dust litter?
Clay-type litters are known to cause respiratory issues in cats through dust inhalation.
Clay-based dusty cat litters are bad for your cat with asthma.
However, dust-free, unscented natural cat litters are ideal for your asthmatic cat.
Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects the airways in your lungs. The airways become swollen and sensitive, which causes them to narrow and narrow. This makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs.
The best food for cats with asthma
Cats with asthma are often allergic to something in the environment, like pollen or dust mites
As a result, a low-allergy diet is best for cats with asthma.
The food should have a single protein source so that if your cat has an allergy, you can narrow down the source.
Cat food for asthma should contain certain ingredients that promote healthy respiratory systems. Some of these ingredients include:
- Fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E are all excellent sources of antioxidants for your cat and help reduce inflammation in the lungs which will reduce coughing fits, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Taurine is an amino acid that plays a vital role in feline health and helps regulate the immune system which can help prevent flare-ups from occurring in the first place.
- Vitamin B6 is essential for healthy lung function and tissue maintenance which is important to keep the respiratory system running smoothly.
- Niacin and riboflavin are both essential B vitamins that help regulate metabolism and promote proper heart function to ensure proper blood flow throughout the body including the lungs.
Cats with asthma are more prone to having allergic reactions to certain foods. Food allergies may be caused by grains, soy, dairy, corn, or other food ingredients.
Keep your cat on a limited-ingredient or grain-free diet for the best results.
Conclusion:
Finding the best cat litter for your asthmatic cat can be challenging. However, there are plenty of great litters for cats out there that can help make the lives of cats with asthma easier.
The best cat litter for cats with asthma is, of course, a dust-free product, that doesn’t trigger an asthma attack.
It’s important to always follow veterinary advice when it comes to your cat’s asthma, and these litters can be a big help in making your home more asthma-friendly for your kitty.
In this blog, we hope to help current cat owners and potential cat owners find the right information on cat litter for cats with asthma. As you can see, there are several litters for cats with special features to control the respiratory disease.
Depending on the specifics of your cat’s asthma, some may offer better benefits than others. However, as long as your cat is litter trained, switching to one of these options may be worth it to improve quality of life and ensure a longer life span.
Plus, most of these products are naturally better for the environment, so not only will they help your cat but they will also ensure good health for the planet as well.
So, now that you’ve read this blog, what do you think is the best type of litter for your asthmatic cat?
Asthma in Cats: Questions and Answers for Concerned Cat Parents
