Few pleasures compare to watching kittens playfully explore a room, discovering and testing the boundaries of their little world. But such exploration often leads to questionable kitten behavior, including playing in the litter box and even eating cat litter.
With this in mind, we’ll discuss why you should take precautions with the litter box and what the best kitten litter is.
Why does my kitten play in the litter box?
Everything is fascinating to a kitten. A box filled with opportunities to dig, burrow, and scatter residue is a veritable playground for kittens. They haven’t quite made the connection that this playscape is also the place where they go to the bathroom.
Why is my kitten eating litter?
This strange but not uncommon behavior is usually the result of boredom or teething. Your kitten may wonder if their litter is edible, then give it up after a taste or two. If your kitten continues to eat litter, talk to your veterinarian.
Why kitten-safe litter matters
While many cats prefer clay-clumping litter, it isn’t the best choice for young kittens.
As mentioned, kittens are as likely to play in the litter box as use it. Some common concerns with kittens include ingestion of cat litter and breathing in litter dust.
Clumping litter risks
Ingesting clay-clumping litter can be dangerous or even fatal for a kitten. If your kitten consistently ingests small amounts of clay-clumping litter—like licking litter off their paws—or eats a larger amount, it can lead to a dangerous intestinal blockage. This is because clay-clumping litter can expand in the stomach and form a concrete-like mass, resulting in the kitten being unable to defecate.
Crystal litter risks
Crystal litter made of amorphous silica gel is generally considered safe. However, ingesting it can create issues in a kitten’s digestive tract, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Clay litter risks
While kittens playing in the litter box is undoubtedly messy, it’s also potentially toxic, depending on the type of litter. Most clay litters—clumping or non-clumping—tend to emit dust when unsettled. Breathing dust and residue is harmful to a kitten's fragile respiratory system, and can even trigger allergies or asthma.
Some low-quality clay litters contain crystalline silica (different from amorphous silica), which creates silica dust; if inhaled frequently, this type of dust can cause shortness of breath and has been linked to cancer in humans.
Scented litter risks
Scented litters often contain artificial chemicals that can be harmful for kittens with sensitive respiratory tracts. Furthermore, overpowering scents can deter kittens from using the litter box at all.
Pellet litter risks
While unlikely, pellet litters can increase the risk of choking in kittens. Kittens that attempt to eat litter pellets may not have enough teeth to break down the pellets, leading to obstruction of the airways.
Kitten-safe litter: What to look for
Non-toxic ingredients
Non-toxic ingredients are all-natural and often biodegradable, making for a safe kitten litter. These include the following types of litter:
- Corn-based
- Paper-based
- Walnut-based
- Grass-based
- Wheat-based
- Coconut-based
- Wood/pine-based
- Tofu-based
- Low-dust clay formulas
- Amorphous silica gel
Dust-free or low-dust formula
Most pellet litters are dust-free and a good choice for kittens that may be sensitive to residue. Non-clumping clay litters formulated to be low on dust also work.
Fragrance-free
Not only do felines tend to prefer unscented litter, it’s the safer option for kittens and cats alike. A good rule of thumb is to avoid cat litters with additives, dyes, and perfumes.
Non-clumping vs clumping
As mentioned above, it’s best to avoid clay-based clumping litter while your kitten is young enough to ingest litter. After your kitten is 3 or 4 months old, and you haven’t noticed them eating cat litter, you can switch to all-natural clumping cat litter like GreatLitter®.
Some types of clumping litter are typically considered safe for kittens, such as corn-based, grass-based, and tofu-based litter.
The best kitten litter options
Our recommended kitten litter options are non-toxic, dust-free, and fragrance-free.
|
Litter type |
Clumps |
Recommended for kittens |
Product name |
|
Pine |
Non-clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Paper |
Non-clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Corn |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Tofu |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Grass |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Grass |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Wood |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Wheat |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Walnut |
Clumping |
Yes |
|
|
Crystal |
Non-clumping |
No, due to ingestion risk |
|
|
Clay |
Non-clumping |
No, due to dust and respiratory risks |
|
|
Clay |
Clumping |
No, due to ingestion, dust, and respiratory risks |
*Will not work with Litter-Robot
Additional tips for kitten litter training
How to stop a kitten from eating or licking litter
If you notice your kitten eating litter instead of going to the bathroom, remove them from the litter box immediately. Continue this pattern as often as you’re able to supervise.
Do not punish your kitten for eating litter. Instead, reward them when they use the litter box correctly—give them a treat, a play session, or a cuddle.
You can also switch to litter that kittens aren’t as likely to eat, such as pine-based litter. This type of litter turns to sawdust when wet, deterring kittens from further taste tests.
Kitten playing in the litter box
As with eating litter, most kittens outgrow playing in the litter box after a few months. In the meantime, you can follow the same strategies as above: Remove your kitten when you notice them playing in the box and reward them for using the litter box correctly.
Provide your kitten with plenty of toys and climbing structures, such as cat trees. The more environmental enrichment they have, the less likely they are to use the litter box as a playground.
Kitten not using the litter box
Most kittens instinctively know how to use the litter box. If your kitten isn’t using the box, try these tips to litter train your kitten:
- Limit the area where your kitten can roam to a small room that includes food, water, cat beds, toys, and a clean litter box.
- If you notice your kitten squatting to poop or pee, immediately place them in the litter box to reinforce it as their bathroom.
- Provide an easy-to-access litter box with low sides or a ramp/step accessory.
- Try a different kitten-safe litter; your kitten may dislike the one currently being used.
- Or, try a kitten-attract litter that utilizes natural herbal attractants to lure the kitten to the box.
- Clean the litter box any time you notice it has been used; after your kitten is using the box regularly, scoop daily.
If your kitten still isn’t using the litter box, make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out medical issues.
Common questions about kitten litter safety
What age can kittens start using clumping litter?
Clay-clumping litter can typically be introduced when kittens are 3 to 4 months old. Generally kittens are no longer interested in eating litter by this age.
However, if you notice that your kitten has continued to snack on litter by 4 months old, visit your veterinarian to check for underlying health issues.
What should I do if my kitten ate litter?
If your kitten ate a small amount of litter, call your veterinarian for advice. They may tell you to monitor your kitten for symptoms, or ask you to bring them in for X-rays of the stomach and intestines.
Symptoms to monitor in a kitten that has eaten litter include:
- Lack of defecation
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
If you suspect your kitten has eaten a significant amount of clumping clay litter, go to an emergency vet as soon as possible. The vet will likely perform X-rays and may need to surgically remove the mass of litter in the stomach.
How often should I change the litter?
If using clumping litter, scoop poop and urine clumps in the litter box at least daily. Kittens and cats prefer a clean place to go to the bathroom. A dirty litter box may deter them from using the box.
If you’re using non-clumping litter, odors are more likely to add up. You may need to replace the litter weekly (or more often) until you’re able to switch to a clumping cat litter.
Learn more about how often to clean the litter box.
Are scented litters safe for kittens?
Generally you’ll want to avoid scented litters for kittens. Many scented litters contain artificial chemicals that may be harmful for a kitten’s respiratory system.
Do kitten-safe litters work with Litter-Robot?
As a self-cleaning litter box, Litter-Robot requires clumping litter to work properly. We recommend a high-quality, clay-clumping cat litter, but a few other types of natural litter will work as well—as long as they are clumping.
You may wish to start with one of the below kitten-safe litters, then switch to a clay-clumping litter when your kitten is slightly older. Recommended kitten-safe litters for Litter-Robot include:
- Corn-based clumping litter
- Tofu-based clumping litter
- Walnut-based clumping litter
Litters that do NOT work in Litter-Robot are strictly absorbent, non-clumping or loose-clumping litters, newspaper-based litters, and absorbent wood/pine pellet litter.
