But what about our animals? How are they affected?

One new development of science that has me concerned is that of the "clumping cat litters".
Touted to be easier to clean, non-tracking, and cost-effective, it is often "scented" and "deodorizing". It is chemically altered and I believe harmful to our animals.

There has been a rise in depressed immune systems, respiratory distress, irritable bowel syndrome, and vomiting (other than hairballs) among cats that I have seen in the past two years. All had one thing in common... a clumping product in their litter box. In several cases, simply removing the litter improved the condition of the cat. After a period of natural cleansing, with herbs and homeopathy, cats with "irritable bowel syndromes" (which had been unsuccessfully treated by veterinarians with a variety of medications) passed copious amounts of a gel-like substance, which prompted me to study these clumping litters. I found that when mixed with a small amount of water it maintained it shape, but turned to a gel after repeated contact (60 to 72 hours) or with additional fluid added (as would be found in the digestive tract). One can only imagine what happens when this substance is inhaled! One thing for sure, cats ingest or inhale this substance each time they visit their box and when cleaning themselves afterwards.

They are not the only ones that can be harmed. Dogs who love to sneak into the cat box for a (ugh!) treat, not only ingest the toxins normally found in feline fecal material, but the coating of clumping litter as well! This has reeked havoc on many a canine's digestive tract, including leading to a fatal case of bloat in one dog that I know of. When his stomach was opened, it was full of clumping litter! Some dogs have been known to root around in the litter daily, creating respiratory conditions (from gel coatings of the lung tissue), eye irritation, colon distress and even mal absorption of nutrients.

It is my belief that the clumping substance "coats" the digestive tract, attracting the collection of old fecal material, increasing toxicity, bacteria growth and prohibiting proper assimilation of digested food. This can lead to stress on the immune system, leaving the animal susceptible to viral, bacterial, parasitic and yeast infections.

The only way to prevent this is to supply a cat with a good old fashion plant-based litter. Sand litters can create many of the above mentioned problems as well, but plant-based litter products, such as fine (not larger types made for bedding) cedar shavings, provide not only a safe environment to potty in, but a fresh, naturally deodorized one to boot. They are easy to dispose of, safe for septic system and sewers (be sure to read labels first). Always check that your litter is free of any deodorizers, colors or drying agents which could be potentially harmful.

Having a natural litter in your kitty's box is not only healthy, but may encourage those finicky about using a box, to try this one out. The natural texture and aroma is more suited for their needs. When Mother Nature imprinted feline potty instructions, do you think they included silica sand chemically treated?

Letters from personal experiences with clumping litter.