Zeolite in cat litter

[ChristineL]

Hi @Dr. Jean Hofve, @Dr. Christina and @Dr. Jeff,

I have been using organic hemp and wheat pellet litter for my cat, but am considering switching to a litter that may be softer on her paws. I came across this brand World’s Best Catalyst Cat Pet Litter in USA and am interested in the unscented version. However, I noticed that it contains zeolite and was unsure what that was. I googled it and read that it may be toxic...what are your thoughts on that.

I've posted questions re litter on this forum in the past, but I don't believe Catalyst Cat Litter has ever been brought up...

Thank you for your guidance, as always!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Zeolite is an awe-some absorber of toxins!

I had never heard of this litter and may try it (depending on what Amy says).

 

[Dr. Christina]

Dr. Jean is in the mountains with no internet for a few days - she will answer soon.
Members - love to have all everyone chime in on their favorites and why.

Dr. Christina

 

[ChristineL]

Upon further research, this may be another good option:

https://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-Natural-Clumping-Litter-20-Pound/dp/B00P0H6836/ref=sr_1_6?crid=130T0MYSNQ7GJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sv9O9MUAnQ2vA23WIoJsr2qS-J7uF0c_GpR_uvd1mAlDKgggssKitCf8nSfOThpffhpyqCpxaOisXh5nCxXeYDiBTuAtJS2MmDFStYtAhxHZIhYFo_AASHKq8C_jHZPHhRgZ7s5U2nuYRDRUxS-unlawWwcmQIHdRBvD-yORiTJkyM9_Q1QEmOavc4lmihrnO3beRycqRgx-4D-oP1SIwmPNz1FpweBGR4tlzxi5dug8Gjm6ZkIM5orEsQHfiuVjKdFryTEmfmDQvnktxyOaUWtJwI-aF3teBjkyWNBscwA.sxkma5ZFu2QZeSLJ1GL7drfZtGcQKCdMGMRM4bERdW0&dib_tag=se&keywords=smart%2Bcat%2Blitter&qid=1756449650&sprefix=smart%2Bcat%2Blitter%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-6&th=1

I'd love to hear Dr. Jean's thoughts on this one also!

 

[Dr. Christina]

Dr. Jean, Love to know which cat litters are made from manufacturing/farming discards rather than land used to grow grass even though they said no chemicals used in raising the grass or processing the grass.

Dr. Christina

 

[ChristineL]

Dr. Jean, Love to know which cat litters are made from manufacturing/farming discards rather than land used to grow grass even though they said no chemicals used in raising the grass or processing the grass.

Dr. Christina

I found the following re their source:

We are a family owned company! ​

Located in Cedarburg, WI, we get our grasses from local midwest farmers. We care about our planet, our pets and you! We are so excited to have you try our litter!

 

[ChristineL]

Zeolite is an awe-some absorber of toxins!

I had never heard of this litter and may try it (depending on what Amy says).

What did Amy say?! I actually reached out to the client and was informed that they use Guar Gum as clumping agent. What are your thoughts on that? @Dr. Jean Hofve and @Dr. Christina

 

[Dr. Jeff]

What did Amy say?!

She said that its up to me.

they use Guar Gum as clumping agent. What are your thoughts on that?

That's fine.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

I'm back in the land of (better) signal!

Good that they do not spray the hemp crops. This appears to be a hemp grower who figured out a use for the leftovers, well done! But they really need to caution their retailers against falsely claiming USDA organic status--the penalties are severe.

I used World's Best for years, but that was a long time ago. Now that virtually all US corn is GMO (other than organic) I can't in good conscience recommend it. Almost all wheat is sprayed with glyphosate pre-harvest, so that doesn't work either.

Zeolite is great for absorption, but it can have adverse effects (though rare) when ingested (as in supplements) or it gets into the respiratory tract. In the small amounts used in cat litter, that's very unlikely, but cats do breathe in dust and swallow a little of it when they groom; just something to be aware of in general if you happen to come across it.

Catalyst is made from "softwood" which means pine, and even adds pine oil and pine scent--all of which are aversive and potentially even toxic to cats. Wouldn't be my choice!

I used Sustainably Yours for a time, but it is also GMO corn, plus cassava. I wouldn't have thought twice about cassava except for a lecture I was listening to while driving across Canada. Unprocessed cassava contains a fair amount of cyanide. Tiny but repeated exposure could eventually pose a risk. Cassava and corn are also both prone to molds that produce aflatoxin and other mycotoxins.

There's even a tofu litter, but soy is also GMO, so that's a no.

The grass seed and walnut shell litters appear to be the safest and most environmentally friendly ones at this point.

The walnut shell litter works great, and it's what we are using, but it produces dark brown dust that coats everything. I suspect that the lighter colored products produce just as much dust but it doesn't show as badly.

I don't know who came up with the "99% dust free" claim they all use, but they must be comparing it to making dust out of the whole bag, because every single litter I've ever used is plenty dusty.

All in all, I guess I need to update my kitty litter article, because there are a lot of new contenders out there (olive pits??) that I need to research!! Stay tuned!