It may sound surprising to you, but asthma is a health issue that is present in up to five percent of cats. The symptoms may be different in intensity in every cat, but asthma is usually the result of allergic bronchitis in cats. If a cat is continually exposed to allergens like pollens, smoke from cigarettes, or dust from cat litter, it can develop inflammation of its respiratory tissue.
Choosing the best dust-free cat litter for asthma can alleviate the symptoms of your cat’s condition or yours. Additionally, changing its diet and including food for cats with asthma will lessen the effects of its ailment.
In this article, we will discuss a little bit further about the causes of asthma in cats, we will reveal what you need to look for in a cat litter to protect your cat and yourself, and we will let you know our top recommendations for the best dust free cat litter for asthma are. If you want to find out how you can give better care to your asthmatic cat, continue reading.
Cats, Asthma and Care
Asthma in cats is becoming a more and more common condition. Usually, cats may develop asthma when they are adults, somewhere between two to eight years old.
How can you recognize the symptoms of asthma in your cat? What can cause asthma in cats? How can you offer the best care to your kitty that has asthma? We answer all these questions below.
What Can Cause Asthma in Felines?
Although feline asthma has been a bit of a mystery to the world of medicine, it is clear that it reacts to certain allergens like harsh cleaning products, the smell from deodorants, pollen, smoke from cigarettes, and dust from cat litter.
Moreover, the stimuli (the allergens) cause the airways to narrow down, thus restricting the lungs to get airflow. Both the inflammatory reaction and the contraction of the surrounding muscles are the cause for the bronchi to start narrowing down. When it comes to felines, there is even less airflow in their lungs due to their immune system causing excessive mucus to be produced in the bronchi.
Asthma develops when there is constant exposure to allergens which cause the cat’s immune system to form a chronic response to them.
How Can You Recognize the Symptoms of Asthma in Your Cat?
Luckily, symptoms in felines are fairly easy to notice. If one or more of the following symptoms have been occurring regularly, then it’s time to take your feline friend to the vet:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Vomiting (especially mucus)
- Rapid breathing
- Breathing through the mouth
The most important thing to do if you notice any of these symptoms is to visit your veterinarian. They will run tests to confirm the condition of your kitty.
The degree to which these symptoms develop can vary. Not all cats will show a high-intensity of asthma symptoms, so be observant. Coughing and wheezing are the two most common symptoms that you may notice. But, they may not appear frequently, and also they may be symptoms of other conditions. That’s why a vet visit is a must.
If your feline companion is having an asthmatic attack, it will extend its neck while attempting to lower its body to the ground. However, with intense attacks, it will cough, trying to gasp for breath and gag like it would when vomiting a hairball.
How Can You Offer the Best Care to Your Kitty that has Asthma?
As mentioned above, the first thing you need to do in order for your kitty to get the best care it deserves is to take it to the vet. After confirming its condition, the next easiest step is to get the best dust-free cat litter for asthma.
Furthermore, removing any triggers that can cause respiratory problems for your cat or yourself is something that you should do even if your kitty doesn’t suffer from asthma. The allergens can cause the development of not only asthma but a number of other respiratory problems.
Actions like burning scented candles, deodorizing your room with products that contain artificial fragrance, frequently smoking indoors, using strong cleaning products that have harsh chemicals, regularly using your fireplace, and using perfumes and hairsprays around your kitty all these are triggers and can cause an asthma attack in your cat.
Now you know what you should avoid doing to protect your feline friend. But, there are some things you may want to consider doing and paying attention to in order to manage your cat’s condition better.
Regular vet visits and check-ups for parasites are crucial for your kitty’s overall health. Furthermore, if your cat has put some weight it may make its breathing more difficult. So, ensure your kitty is at its appropriate and healthy weight.
We mentioned that pollen can be yet another trigger for asthma. One thing you can do is avoid letting your cat go outdoors during the pollen production season.
Stress is another thing you need to pay attention to. Observe and notice what can be stressing your cat, and eliminate it.
Best dust free cat litter for asthma – it’s all about the material
Choosing the best dust-free cat litter for asthma may not be so difficult after you go through our short guide.
When making a decision, the most important feature to take into consideration is the material of which the litter is made.
Cat litter made of clay is the number one in producing dust clouds. Although their clumping characteristic may be preferred by many cat parents, the dust from the clay can cause serious respiratory issues. Unless it is specifically stated that it is dust-free, it is definitely one to avoid.
Silica gel crystal litter may look like a safe choice because it has highly absorbent qualities, but its dust, no matter how small, can be very toxic to your cat when it builds up in its system.
Cat litter made of natural material like wood pellet cat litter or walnut shell litter can be safer than the previous two examples. But there are still certain qualities to consider. Even natural litters can produce dust, so it is extremely important to check how much dust is and what the characteristics of the dust are. Furthermore, artificial fragrances worsen asthma conditions in cats and people, so opt for fragrance-free litter.
Top Six Recommendations for the Best Dust Free Cat Litter for Asthma
Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Litter for Cats by Fresh Step
The cat litter that Fresh Step produces is made of excellent clay or crystal ingredients. Fresh Step offers a wide variety of cat litter for everyone’s preferences and needs.
The Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Litter for Cats doesn’t have any artificial fragrances, but it prevents the spreading of odor. The formula of this cat litter is recommended by vets and it doesn’t have added dyes. What helps with odor control is activated charcoal which also prevents the growth of bacterial odor in the litter.
Furthermore, the clay formula is high-quality and almost dust-free. Your cat will breathe easier, and you won’t have to clean as much.
To make the cleaning of the litter box easier, this cat litter is made with ClumpLock Technology which creates clumps that are hard and easier to scoop.
Pros:
- The litter is 99.9% free of dust
- It doesn’t contain artificial fragrances, added dyes, or harsh chemicals
- Its formula contains activated charcoal which helps with odor control for up to ten days
Cons:
- Since the material of the litter is clay, if your kitty ingests it, over time, it can become toxic
- The litter is not eco-friendly
- The clumping may not be as hard, and some clumps may turn to dust
Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter for Cats by Naturally Fresh
Naturally Fresh is a cat litter brand that uses nature as its source of inspiration. Their goal is to produce better quality litter for kitties and their owners.
The Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter for Cats is not a bag full of nuts. It’s just litter made of walnut shells, and as it turns out, it is quite good at fighting odor. The best thing is that it is completely natural without added fragrances, dyes, toxins, or anything that can worsen your kitty’s or your asthma condition. Being completely natural, it is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Moreover, the packaging is 30% recycled, and it is solar-produced. It is easy to scoop due to the clumping properties of the litter.
If compared to other litters made of natural materials like pine, wheat, or corn, it is more absorbent and neutralizes urine and fecal odors with greater efficiency.
The dust-free formula helps with the reduction of tracking and alleviates the symptoms of asthma in cats and people.
Pros:
- It is entirely natural and safe for your feline friend
- It neutralizes odors without the added toxins, fragrances, and dyes
- It doesn’t hurt your kitty’s soft paws
- It forms hard clumps, so the scooping will be easier for you
Cons:
- It isn’t completely dust-free
- Some pieces of the litter may stick to your cat’s paws which may lead to tracking
Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Litter for Cats by Yesterday’s News
Yesterday’s News aims to provide a solution that is more sustainable and better for you, your kitty, your home, and the environment.
Purina’s Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Litter for Cats is entirely natural and made of recycled newspaper which makes this litter 99.7% free of dust. This eco-friendly cat litter is almost three times more absorbent than clay-based litter.
The paper pellets are very gentle on your cat’s paws and they leave almost no tracking. In addition, the unscented formula makes this hypoallergenic cat litter great for cats with asthma.
Because the formula of pellets is non-clumping, cleaning and removing the wet paper pellets needs to be done daily.
Pros:
- It is completely natural and made of recycled newspaper, making it eco-friendly
- It is hypoallergenic, unscented, without added fragrances, dyes, or chemicals
- It isn’t harsh on your cat’s cute paws
- Almost dust-free
Cons:
- It doesn’t clump, so cleaning may be a bit harder
- The odor control may not be the best
Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clay Litter for Cats by Dr. Elsey’s
Dr. Elsey is a feline veterinarian with a career of over thirty-five years. He and his wife founded Dr. Elsey’s in 1985 to provide a better solution for cats not using the litter box and save them from being abandoned.
If you, or your cat, are not fans of the pellets, this Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Clay Litter for Cats is a great choice for you and your kitty’s asthma condition.
This litter for cats is made specifically for cats or people with respiratory issues. It doesn’t contain any plant proteins, which are basically the trigger for asthma. Moreover, it is hypoallergenic and doesn’t have perfumes, fragrances, or dyes.
The low dust and hard clumping properties will make your cleaning and scooping much easier.
Pros:
- Its formula doesn’t contain plant proteins, artificial fragrances, or dyes
- It has good odor control, so no stinky home for you
- Its hard-clumping properties will help you with the scooping
- It is hypoallergenic
Cons:
- The material of the litter is clay, so it is not eco-friendly
- If your kitty digests any of it, over time, it will become toxic
- There are still some dust clouds coming when pouring it
Dust-Free Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Litter for Cats by Okocat
Okocat is a Healthy Pet brand that produces plant-based cat litter, which is healthier and safer for the kitties, the owners, and the planet.
The Dust-Free Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Litter for Cats is made of recycled paper and fibers, and it is safer and healthier for your cat. The pellets have low-tracking properties and are very gentle and soft on your cat’s paws.
Furthermore, the litter is unscented, which means it is free of artificial fragrances, dyes, or other toxic materials.
Since lightweight paper pellets are highly absorbent, they control and prevent the odor from spreading around your home.
The paper pellets are free of dust which makes them perfect for felines and owners with respiratory issues.
Pros:
- It is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable because it is made of recycled paper
- It is not harsh on your kitty’s paws
- It is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and safe for cats with asthma
- It is completely natural without artificial perfumes, chemicals, or other toxic elements
- It doesn’t create dust clouds
Cons:
- It doesn’t have clumping properties, so cleaning may not be as easy as with clay cat litter
- Some owners may not like the odor control of this cat litter
Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Litter for Cats by Dr. Elsey’s
This is another wonderful cat litter by Dr. Elsey’s. But this cat litter is made of silica gel. Silica gel doesn’t create as much dust as clay litter for cats.
This particular cat litter is hypoallergenic and helps with the respiratory problems of cats and people. Furthermore, it doesn’t have plant proteins, deodorants, or other toxic substances.
The natural herbal essences which are part of this litter’s formula help with reducing stress in cats.
Pros:
- It is hypoallergenic and suitable for cats with respiratory issues
- It contains herbal essences which help with stress in cats
- It doesn’t have added fragrances, colors, or other toxic materials
Cons:
- It doesn’t clump, so cleaning up after your cat does its business may be a bit challenging
- Odor control may not be this litter’s best quality
- Some owners may not like the small dust clouds
What is the best dust-free cat litter for asthma then?
Basically, almost every cat litter will create some kind of dust. What you can do is choose the one that creates the least amount of dust, and it is non-toxic. To protect your kitty’s health you have to scoop every day, even if you use a disposable litter box. Your choice has to be the one that is the best for your cat’s or your asthma condition and it doesn’t create any cleaning difficulties.