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Best Cat Litter For Allergies: Dust Free Cat Litter Brands

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best cat litter for cats with allegies

Cat litter can be dusty and cause allergies in cats and their owners. Let’s look at the best cat litter for allergies!

Choosing the best cat litter for allergies can become challenging since many cat litter brands have strong, odor-eliminating fragrances and are dusty. As a result, they can cause allergic reactions in humans and cats.

Thankfully, there are several alternatives you can choose without worrying about the dust triggering a reaction. Many cat litter brands produce dust-free litter that clumps and is made from materials less likely to cause issues. Let’s look at the best cat litter for allergies.

Best Cat Litter For Allergies: Buying Guide

best cat litter for allergies

Before narrowing down your top options for the best cat litter for allergies, there are several factors you’ll need to consider when comparing each brand. Although several have similar characteristics, they may have a few differences that can make or break your decision.

Don’t know where to start when choosing the best cat litter for allergies? Here are a few things to consider to help you decide on your top options.

Types of Cat Litter

One factor to consider when searching for the best cat litter for allergies is its type. Several options are available, so your preferences can differ from someone else dealing with cat litter allergies.

Clay Litter

Clay litter is a popular cat litter option for many cat owners due to its sand-like properties. Most clay litter is available in a clumping or non-clumping formula. However, some clay litter options are prone to leaving dust residue that can cause allergic reactions.

Pine Litter

Pine pellet litter doesn’t have absorbent properties like most clay litter options but does have excellent odor control against your cat’s ammonia-scented urine. It also doesn’t produce dust and tracks less around your home, making it a great, inexpensive alternative to clay litter. 

Pine litter and other alternatives like wheat, corn, and paper are generally more eco-friendly and biodegradable because they don’t contain harsh chemicals, typically turning into sawdust when urinated on.

Non-Clumping Litter

Non-clumping litter’s particles remain separate when your cat urinates on it, making it more challenging to scoop. As a result, you’ll need to replace this litter type more frequently than clumping formulas. However, you can scoop out cat stool without making a mess.

Many clay and plant-based cat litter are non-clumping. It’s also less expensive than clumping litter options.

Clumping Litter

Clumping litter is a popular option for cat owners who prefer saving time cleaning litter boxes. When scooping out clumps, you don’t have to replace the litter as frequently as non-clumping formulas. However, some clumping litters are prone to leave dust behind and contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.

Scented Litter

Scented cat litter has fragrances that can block odors from your cat’s litter box. As a result, it keeps litter boxes and homes smelling fresh for several days. Scented litter might not be the best cat litter for allergies because the odor-eliminating chemicals can cause a reaction in anyone with fragrance sensitivities.

Unscented Litter

As its name implies, unscented litter doesn’t have deodorizing chemicals added to block litter box odors. Instead, several unscented litter options have natural ingredients to compromise urine and fecal odors. In addition, most of them have a fast absorption rate.

Dust-Free Cat Litter

A common factor contributing to allergic reactions to cat litter is dust, so it would be wise to consider looking for cat litter with dust-free or low-dust properties. It won’t produce dust particles when you pour it into the litter box or when your cat kicks and sifts through it.

Cat Litter Materials

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Another thing to consider when choosing the best cat litter for allergies is the types of materials used to make them. Some materials are more likely to cause an allergic reaction in some cat owners than others.

Although many cat litter options have clay as a primary material, others use pine, wheat, walnut shells, and recycled paper. Some natural litter’s materials can cause allergic reactions, like walnut or wheat, so you should consider reading each bag’s labels carefully to avoid buying one that puts you at risk.

Avoid cat litter formulas made with crystalline silica, also known as silica dust. This material isn’t biodegradable, and its dust can cause several lung issues. Cat litter with bentonite, or Fuller’s earth, is another irritant that can cause lung issues, despite its powerful absorbent properties.

Cat Litter Particle Size

When narrowing down your options for dust-free cat litter, consider avoiding lightweight clumping cat litter. Lightweight litter has smaller particles to absorb more moisture and decrease its weight, but is more prone to produce dust.

Smaller particles are less dense than heavier litters and are more likely to get stuck to your cat’s paws and track throughout your home.

Cat Litter Ease of Use

If you’re a cat owner with allergies and have trouble keeping your cat’s litter box clean, here are a few tips to consider when creating a comfortable, safe cleaning routine.

Wash with Water and Soap

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It would be best to wash your cat’s litter box at least once weekly. Use warm water and soap to remove tough messes and eliminate bacterial buildup from the litter box’s surface.

Don’t use cleaners with harsh chemicals, like bleach or ammonia, to keep it smelling fresh before adding new litter.

Cover Your Hands and Face When Cleaning

Consider wearing disposable gloves and a face mask when cleaning your cat’s litter box to keep allergens and bacteria off your hands and prevent dust particles from entering your mouth or nose.

Vacuum Litter Your Cat Kicks Out

If your cat kicks litter out of his litter box after using it, or you accidentally spill litter when scooping and sifting it, clean the area with a handheld vacuum to keep it from tracking throughout your home.

Invest in an Air Purifier

If you use dust-free litter for your cat’s litter box, it can still be a hotspot for allergens, from the protein in your cat’s urine to pet dander produced from your cat’s dead skin cells that stick to their fur.

You can minimize cat litter dust with a HEPA air purifier to filter the fine dust particles in your home.

Conclusion

The best cat litter for allergies shouldn’t have harsh chemicals or scents, won’t produce a lot of dust, and should keep your cat’s litter box smelling fresh between each cleaning session.

Non-clumping litter made with natural materials is a great option when testing the best litter for your home. Litter preferences can differ from person to person, depending on their allergy severity. Hopefully, this guide can help shed some light on your selection process to make life with your cat more comfortable.

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