Asthma is among the most chronic respiratory diseases in cats, affecting 1-5 percent of them in total. A case study by Animal Health Foundation suggests feline, or bronchitis asthma is more common in middle-aged cats ranging from 4 to 5 years.
Asthma develops in cats due to allergic bronchi, an infection of the tissue of the respiratory system due to the round the clock exposure to allergens like cigarette smoke, deodorizers, litter dust and even pollen sometimes.
Most of these problems can be solved with selecting the best litter for asthamtic cats. To make an educated decision, it’s crucial to understand the feline asthma symptoms.
Feline Asthma Symptoms
Breathing difficulties are an obvious indicator of feline asthma. Before confirming or ruling out this condition, there are some other key indicators of asthma in cats. Take a look at this:
- Wheezing
- Short breaths
- Hacking
- Coughing or breathing
- Watery eyes
- Puking
- Attempting to stretch the neck by hunching the body near to the ground.
If there are any of these behaviours in the cat, consulting a veterinarian is the best option. They can run tests, including blood and allergy tests, to figure out the root cause.
Since feline asthma is immedicable, the only solution is to protect the cats that are affected from possible allergens, and the first change is to choose a asthma-friendly cat litter from the best litters for asthmatic cats.
Cat Litters
There are two types of cat litter available in the market: clay and silica gel.
Clay cat litters, as previously stated, contain more dust than others. While some brands’ dust levels of the clumping clay are significantly lower, it is still evident to some extent. Their silica gel variant, on the other hand, contains almost little dust.
The majority of asthma-friendly cat litter is made of non-clay materials. Clay cat litter is great for clumps and odour control, but it produces dust.
The factors in determining cat litter on the market concentrate around finding which litters are better for cats with health problems such as asthma.
Common Cat Litter Categories
The litters are divided into three main categories depending on their contents, then evaluated within each category using the following criteria:
Silica gel litters are manufactured from sodium silicate, a very absorbent and porous substance that can take up to 40 times its mass in liquid. When contrasted to clay-based and natural litters, silica gel litters produce the least amount of dust.
When compared to silica or natural litters, clay-based litters produce a significant amount of dust. Furthermore, the dust from clumping clay litters contains sodium bentonite, which a cat should avoid ingesting. As a result, clay litters that are designed expressly for cats with respiratory disorders should be the first choice and tout the fact that they are dust-free as a selling factor.
Paper litter, wood pellet cat litter, and walnut shell litter are among the natural litters. It’s because other organic litter producers, including wheat, corn, and grass, are more prone to induce allergies in cats. Pellet litters are also preferable to those with finer granules since they produce less waste.
Clay-based litter is normally not recommended for cats with respiratory illness due to the possibility of airborne particles. It’s crucial to talk to the veterinarian about what kind of litter is best for cats with bronchitis.
Top 10 Litters for Cats
A prevalent cause of respiratory irritation in cats is dust from cat litter.
It will not only aggravate the condition of asthmatic cats but can also lead to chronic bronchitis and asthma in healthy cats if they are exposed to excessive levels of it on a regular basis. Asthmatics, particularly children, can be affected by dust from cat litter.
Many clay cat litters include intense scents, which can trigger allergies or even asthma attacks. However, this general rule has a few exceptions with the best litters for asthmatic cats (as given in the list of top choices below).
1. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Cat Litter
Dr Elsey’s Respiratory Relief Litter is top-rated among others. Dr Elsey has been a veterinarian with over 35 years of experience.
Dr Elsey’s Respiratory Relief Litter is a low-dust, hypoallergenic cat litter that’s free of irritants like perfumes and colognes. Dr Elsey’s does not use plant proteins (a common allergen for all cats and humans).
If a cat isn’t trained and flatly refuses pellet litter, this is one of the finest options for clay and breathing problems. It is specifically created to help control respiratory problems in cats and people.
The cat litter is safe and secure for any feline pet. It’s a green option that will serve its purpose remarkably.
Advantages:
- Eco positive
- Non-toxic
- There will be no deodorants or perfumes approved.
- Stress-relieving essential oils
- The silica gel is gentle on the cat’s paws and contains a natural aroma that assists in coping with stress. Allergies and respiratory problems can be unpleasant for the cat, but this litter can help.
2. Purina’s Yesterday’s Newspaper Cat Litter
Purina, Yesterday’s Newspaper Cat Litter, is manufactured from recycled papers, and the litter is one of a kind. The litter is in the form of pellets, both environmentally beneficial and gentle on the respiratory organs.
It’s intended to be more absorbing than clay and nearly dust-free, making it much easier to breathe for both the cat and the nursing family member. This is the finest litter for cats with asthma for the budget because it is inexpensive, uncomplicated to use, and environmentally friendly.
Pellets are the most popular formulation of Yesterday’s News litter since they provide a 99 percent dust-free environment and eliminate minute particles that the sick cat may walk out.
Advantages:
- Budget-friendly
- There is no dust, no odour, and it is hypoallergenic.
- There will be no tracking, and rubbish will be sprayed.
- It retains water well.
- Non-toxic and safe
- Sustainable for environment
3. sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Cat Litter
This odourless litter is ideal for both tiny apartments and houses and is designed specifically for multi-cat households.
It provides long-lasting odour reduction that not only masks but also neutralizes odours, ensuring that the home is filled with fresh air. Because the wheat clumps up rapidly and visibly, the caretaker will always recognize when it’s required to clean the cat’s litter box.
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Cat Litter is an entirely biodegradable and environmentally friendly composition and might even be composted with yard debris rather than thrown away.
Moreover, there will be no hidden colours or unusual substances in this cat litter recipe that could intensify the cat’s asthma symptoms.
Advantages:
- Designed with multi-cat families in mind.
- To please those with sensitive noses, the product is unscented.
4. ÖKOCAT Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Okocat paper cat litter is recyclable since it is created from reused lumber. Because the litter is lighter, it is easy to install and dump. Okocat cat litters have Odor Shield Technology for optimal absorption and odour reduction, which makes it different.
With this Okocat dust-free cat litter, everyone in the home will be able to breathe healthier. This organic paper litter absorbs up to 200 percent of its weight in liquid without leaving a dusty trail or producing additional messes.
Advantages:
- Environmentally friendly
- Non-tracking
- Odour Protective Technology was used to create this product.
- This product does not have preservatives, colours, or additives, making it ideal for cats with long hair.
5. Garfield Cat Litter Super Clump Unscented
Garfield dust-free cat litter somehow doesn’t compromise on quality or functionality. The litter particles are made entirely of plant matter and are completely natural, allowing them to be flushed or composted. Liquid and moisture quickly create tight clumps, allowing cleanup of the litter box as simple.
The sand particles are incredibly gentle on the cat’s paws. It’s perfectly safe for cats with sensitive lungs.
For allergy-prone environments, the dust-free solution is a good alternative. Garfield Small Grains Flushable Cat Litter is an excellent choice for an environmentally friendly, value-adding, dust-free cat litter.
Advantages:
- Renewable natural resources were used to create this product.
- Quick clumping
- Paws are delicate.
- Easily cleanable
- There are no toxins or scents used.
6. World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is a product that contains natural oil that is believed to ease tension and asthma symptoms in the cat.
Due to a low composition of carbon, the housing area of asthmatic cat will never smell like ammonia or urine. Because the clumping motion is swift, caregivers can scoop up the soiled litter and clean the cat box each day.
This one is an eco-friendly solution that will have no adverse effect on the climate change footprint of the homeowner. It is, in fact, flushable, making it simple to work with and saving the time in the long run.
This solution also contains no silica dust, which will help the cat inhale easier with time.
Advantages:
- Eco friendly
- Flushable
- No silica
7. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Cat Litter
Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal Litter, a further dust-free choice, is a strong litter that no asthmatic cat owner can overlook.
It is allergen-free and provides odour control for up to 7 days between full litter box replacements. This cat litter composition is made out of plant fibres that provide excellent urine absorbance and clumping.
Caretakers can readily scoop out the clusters to produce a tiny, tidy box without having to fully redo it once they’ve formed. This cat litter for cats with allergies or asthma contains micro-particles to keep the cat’s paws neat and healthy as they use the bathroom.
Advantages:
- Allergen-free
- No odour
- Micro-particles
8. Boxiecat Premium Clumping Cat Litter
Boxiecat Premium Clumping Cat Litter is a fragrance-free and veteran verified litter that controls 99.9% of the dust.
The dust-free solution maintains the environment clean and allergen-free with seven days of odourless operation.
This unscented cat litter, while not inexpensive, performs admirably as a clay litter. This litter has been compared to Dr Elsey’s Respiratory Relief litter by cat owners.
There have been no dust clouds when poured straight from the bag. Tight clumps form after use, especially at the top, where they may be easily collected without disrupting pristine litter. As a result, no scents develop, and it’s simple to prolong the litter’s lives.
Advantages:
- Odourless
- All-natural
9. SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter is somehow similar to regular cat litter in appearance. However, it is nearly dust-free. When being subjected to excrement and urine, this litter begins to cluster.
It’s difficult to believe the litter box can’t be scented across the home without extra perfumes or fake odours. However, if the caretaker doesn’t know how to clean these litter boxes, there won’t be any scents around the house using this cat litter for asthmatic cats.
It’s composed of grass, so cat parents can take comfort in knowing it won’t hurt the environment or aggravate the cat’s asthma.
Advantages:
- Easy to clean
- No fake odours
- Good quality
10. Naturally Fresh Cat litter
Traditional cat litter is replaced with grass cat litter, which is a natural and environmentally beneficial alternative.
With its better clumping action and odour absorption, it’s ideal for multi-cat families. This dust-free grassy cat litter is gentle on the cat’s paws and free of toxins, colours, and perfumes.
Frisco Grass Cat Litter is recyclable and won’t create a dusty fog when spilled or thrown up by the cat. Healthy grass cat litter is an outstanding environmentally responsible option.
Advantages:
- Eco and social friendly
- Recyclable
- Dust-free
Asthma in cats can be chronic, and it’s generally a progressive disorder, which means that if a cat has asthma, he or she will likely have flare-ups on a regular basis, ranging in severity from moderate to life-threatening.
Cat owners can manage it with a little additional attention from pet caregivers and the use of proper drugs. An asthmatic cat lived happily for years by monitoring his respiratory effort, keeping an eye out for coughing, and intervening with medicine as needed.
Conclusion
Asthmatic cats who are in an environment where there is continued exposure to allergens, the scenario severely affects their condition resulting in inflammation, respiratory problems, and other health problems.
Cat parents need to take care in time, so the situation does not worsen to the next stages and consult vets regularly.
