Is Your Cat Worth It? – Crystalline Silica
Normally I blog about tech, gadgets, gizmos, music or politics….. This post is different, I’m an avid cat lover, currently lucky enough to have 4 of them living with me. This post is about them.
Before I tell you this story I must point out to you that these are my opinions, they are not verified by any independent study or endorsed by any industry or government bodies and are not intended as evidence or accusation against any entity or individual.
Given that, if you have cats or if you love cats, I ask you to read on and think about the animals that you care for.
For all too few years I was lucky enough to have a wonderful cat in my life called Moose. We were the best of buddies and I would have done anything to make him safe and happy. Moose, strictly an indoor cat, died at the age of 11 from lung cancer. He came to my home at age 4, all the years he was here I had him use a covered litter box filled with clay-based scoopable cat littler, just like the types you’ll find at any grocery or pet store.
I believed that I was taking the best care of my cat. The litter claimed it was sanitary and safe. I knew many other people who used the same brand, all of whom liked it and who’s cats enjoyed using it.
After Moose died I started to wonder why he contracted lung cancer. No one in your household smoked and we didn’t allow smoking in our home. Our oncologist (yes, there are cat oncologists) told us that he’d seen a rise in cats with lung cancer. So I started to dig around on the internet to find clues to what might have contributed to what I believed was my pet’s early demise.
I found that clay-based cat litter naturally contains something called Crystalline Silica. This is, from my understanding, tiny crystals of silica, the same stuff that sand is made of. It’s microscopic structure has similar effects on the lungs as other abrasives, such as asbestos.
Have you ever watched your cat use the litter box? He or she will walk around for a while then do what they need to and lastly will paw the litter, sometimes for quite a while to cover up their achievements. While they paw the litter, sometimes clouds of grey dust fly up around them. I’m told that this is the crystalline silica in airborne form. It’s all around them. In an open cat box that’s bad enough but in an enclosed cat box it must be much worse. They are breathing that in the whole time.
After learning about crystalline silica, I started to look into it on the internet. I found that not only is it in some types of cat litter but it’s also in many building supplies and other household items. OSHA has raised the issue of human and animal exposure to this substance as a health hazard (and I believe even deemed it a carcinogen) but legislation against it has stalled in the legal process for many, many years due to the potentially massive financial impact of any negative ruling against its use, or so I believe.
Maybe the courts can’t call crystalline silica a hazard. Maybe the state won’t act to control it’s use but maybe you should be aware of its alleged potential harm to your pets and maybe even to you.
After my beloved cat died I went to the web site of the manufacturer of the litter I’d been using to look for any warnings about the dangers associated with exposure to substances like crystalline silica, thinking I’d missed some advice. All I found was an FAQ question which asked about what was in the company’s products. Rather than get specific, which I understand, as they have to protect their intellectual property, they simply state that their scoppable litter contains clay and that their “Crystals” product is based onSilica Gel which is not the same technology as the kind of litter I had been using.
I know I can’t bring my cat back. I know that he might well have died regardless of the type of cat littler I used, but I do urge you to look at the risks associated with Crystalline Silica, it’s role in cat litter and how you want to care for the pet you love.
I now use a corn-based cat littler. It’ name is something to do with being the best in the world. I’m happier using it. I recommend it to others as it has no oder issues, doesn’t track and my cats (I have 4) love it. It’s a little more expensive than the clay based stuff I used to use but I want the best for my pets so I think the extra expense is worth it.
I hope you feel the same way I do and want your cat to live the longest, happiest life it can.
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