What is, in your opinions, the best DUSTLESS cat litter? I have problems with dust and when I clean the litter boxes, I cough for the day. I try to not get too close, but that's a challenge. Any suggestions?

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), October 22, 2001

Answers

LOL I don't think there are any! I have had cats all of my 53 years and still have to hold my breath when I change the litterbox. I think I have tried at least once every new brand when it comes on the market and have found none which do not kick up a dust cloud when pouring it in the box. When I was a little girl, we used sawdust shavings for the cats and regular cardboard boxes..YUCK!!!!! It was always my job to take care of the litter boxes and I rejoiced when those new types came out where all the waste clumps together. Perhaps in my lifetime somebody will invent a kitty composting toilet..wouldn't THAT be grand?

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), October 22, 2001.

I forgot to add that it has to be the scoopable kind. Oh how I remember how we used sand and carboard boxes too. Oh how smelly and disgusting.

-- Ardie again (ardie54965@hotmail.com), October 22, 2001.

Hmmm. Ardie, I'm not sure what kinds of dust would affect you. There is a litter, named, SWheatScoop, that is made of ground up wheat. It is scoopable, and compostable (the urine clumps, that is). I used to use it, and my cats found it acceptable. However, I did end up with a mouse invasion, and I always wondered if it was because I started using that litter!

I've also tried a paper litter, ground up so that it resembles the scoopable bentonite clay litters, and it is scoopable and flushable as well. Not easy to find though, and not cheap. Also, one kind is so heavily perfumed (Pa-Purr), my cats refused to use it. I thought it stunk when I'd walk by, so I'm sure my cats' more sensitive noses were really insulted.

What about wearing a dust mask?

Also, there are a couple of litters out on the market that are silicon beads. They have no dust, but are not scoopable. However, the beads absorb the urine and it's odor, and the bag lasts for about a month (with only one cat). Also not terribly cheap. You can just scoop out the droppings.

Lastly, I have seen, in Real Goods catalog, a composting toilet for cats. It's really a worm bin, with red worms in it, and peat. Theoretically, I think it would work, to have a bin only for cat elimination, BUT with the lid open (so the cat could use it), I'd worry about 'worm crawl', and with my cats, they'd dig all the peat out and scatter it around the floor (fortunately they don't do that with their litter!).

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), October 23, 2001.