I am about to switch litter to Feline Pine. Right now, I am using Fresh Step in an open box that is scooped at least twice daily. The reason that I am concerned is because my cats breath smells like her litter. When she cleans herself, the smell of litter is very strong. I imagine this is coming from the clay dust being inhaled while using the littler box. I have read stories that many cats can inhale this clay and it is, of course, not healthy.
So here is my concern. Will the dust from Feline Pine hurt her if I get the clumping kind that isn’t dust-free? Also, how should I switch her over. Just do it, or maybe do a mix of the old and the new at first?
Thanks for the help.

Brooke Davenport

P.S. - If anyone knows where I can read more on this problem with clay litter, I would love to know where.

Hi Brooke,

I am glad to hear that you have learned about the dangers of clay cat litter.  I do know that it is the silica dust in the cat litter that is the most harmful, but the chemicals and artificial fragrances are terrible too.  The dust from Feline Pine Scoop is still 100% natural and will not harm your cat in any way.  I would recommend trying either, depending on how you manage your litter box.  For Feline Pine Original you will most likely need to transition your cat to get used to the litter.  On the Feline Pine website you can see the steps that are recommended for transitioning your cat: http://www.naturesearth.com/felinepine/.  If you scroll to the bottom of that page you will see how to transition your cat.  If you decide to use Feline Pine Scoop there is no transitioning required since the litter is a similar texture to clay litters.  I hope I was able to help you out.

You can try the original (pellet) and see how it works.  I use that and do not have a problem with any of my cats except 1.  However, your cat is the one who ultimately decides which product you buy.

Try the original and see how it goes.  If she does not like it - try the clumping.  She is bound to like one of them

I’d start with the Scoop, to transition a cat from clay litter. One foster kitten I had was used to clay litter and didn’t like the pellets. His sister used them, but didn’t like the way they felt and would try to cover her poop by scratching the floor outside the box.

The sister loved the smell of Feline Pine Scoop so much as a kitten that she’d stick her nose in it. She used to get gel boogers from the stuff that turns urine into clumps, and sometimes sneezed if she got the sawdust in her nasal passages, but it never hurt her. She outgrew the behavior, although she still loves “playing”, digging furiously in the fresh litter, when I do a complete box change. (I keep a small whiskbroom and dustpan handy.)

I live in a rural area and I like to dump the spent feline dust in the woods rather than putting it in the trash.  I do not think I could dispose the clumping type in the same way; so I am sticking with the Original dust-free.