Does your cat have litter allergic reactions?

With the ever-expanding number of cat litter available on the market, it’s attainable your cat could also be allergic to a few of them. Study what to look at for, and what to do about it.

Cat litter has come a good distance because it was first invented in 1947. For many years, folks relied on variations of a granular clay-based litter. Immediately, cat litter includes a rising trade that’s estimated to hit $4 billion in 2020 and has sprouted a dizzying choice of litter selections. Given the big variety of merchandise available on the market (see sidebar beneath), it’s not shocking that some could cause well being points in sure cats – together with allergic reactions. Right here’s how one can discover out in case your cat is perhaps allergic to his litter, and how one can assist him.

Is my cat prone to develop litter allergic reactions?

A wholesome grownup cat is much less vulnerable to litter allergic reactions. Probably the most susceptible populations are kittens, seniors, and immune-compromised cats (i.e. FIV+). Brachycephalic or flat-nosed breeds such because the Persian, Himalayan and Scottish fold are additionally extra delicate to respiratory situations. Cats that endure from different allergic reactions usually tend to develop litter allergic reactions.

Litter mud could cause sinus or respiratory flare-ups in each folks and cats. Whereas people can put on masks whereas cleansing out litter bins, cats can’t. Keep in mind additionally {that a} cat’s nostril is just about 8” from the bottom, so he will get a lot nearer to his litter than you do.

Litter allergy signs

Whereas these signs might be brought on by many various allergens, litter could be the perpetrator in case you can’t discover some other trigger.

Bodily signs

• Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, runny eyes or nostril.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Sudden swelling of the face from anaphylactic shock (a uncommon however life-threatening allergic response that restricts air circulation and respiration). Contact a vet instantly.

Behavioral signs

• Extra licking or grooming in response to itching. Over-grooming can result in lacking fur or bald patches.
• Elevated chewing, scratching or biting whereas grooming.
• Elevated scratching across the ears, or ear an infection.
• Failure to make use of the litter field, soiling exterior the field or elsewhere.

For those who suspect a litter allergy, strive switching to a different product. If signs persist, take your cat to the vet. Allergic reactions to cat litter could also be identified via blood or intradermal testing.

8 methods to assist forestall litter allergic reactions

1. Use a hypoallergenic litter. Conventional non-clumping cat litters are typically dusty, stirring up clouds of airborne particles when poured from the container, or when a cat is digging within the litter field. Even litters marketed as “mud free” aren’t 100% freed from mud. Learn labels and ingredient lists, however remember that some formulation are proprietary and there’s no present laws mandating an entire ingredient record.

Strongly-scented litters with chemical fragrances are attainable allergens. Even pure scents from important oils should not all the time good for cats — not due to the oils themselves, however due to their high quality. It could not be cost-effective for producers to make use of therapeutic or food-grade high quality important oils of their litter merchandise.

2. Swap your cat’s litter, steadily phasing out the outdated with the brand new over the course of some days. Cats don’t recognize sudden modifications. In case your cat has an allergy, it could take two weeks to note a distinction.

3. Scoop the litter field day by day to maintain it as clear as attainable. As a result of many formulation promise an odor-free residence for as much as ten days, some customers suppose this implies they don’t have to scrub the field each day. However poop is poop. It may be coated by litter nevertheless it received’t vanish with out scooping. Not all cats wish to cowl their poop, and if litter isn’t scooped usually it turns into each ugly however unhygienic. It’s additionally vital to recurrently wash the litter field down to attenuate mud allergens.

4. Bathe your cat recurrently, or wipe his fur to take away any litter mud or bits lodged between his toes.

5. Most cats like privateness when doing their litter field enterprise, however discreetly monitor him for any sneezing or coughing.

6. Maintain your property clear, well-dusted and vacuumed. Clear the litter field space, bedding, toys and different objects to attenuate the consequences of litter mud. Use a litter mat to scale back monitoring to the remainder of the home.

7. Use an air air purifier close to the litter field — not a chemical spray or plug-in deodorizer, however an enzymatic odor neutralizer.

8. Discover a roomy, uncovered litter field your cat likes and place it in a ventilated space that’s additionally quiet, low-traffic and easy-to-access.

In attempting to find out the supply of your cat’s allergic reactions, you might not have thought of his litter. However you might discover that switching to a different product, and/or taking steps to attenuate litter mud, will do the trick.