Litter Choices for the GracieLoo Dog Litter Box
November 11, 2009
Do you actually use cat litter in the GracieLoo?
There is a wide variety of litter options with the GracieLoo. Choose the option that works best for you and your dog.
- Yes, you may use cat litter. I have used clumping cat litter in Gracie's personal GracieLoo for 10 years. This litter not only absorbs liquid waste, but also forms a solid clump that is easily scooped.
- Optionally, you may use litters made of recycled pine pellets, compressed newspaper pellets, wheat, or ground corncobs. These litters will absorb liquid waste, but will not clump.
Clay cat litter, especially clumping litter, is reportedly dangerous for dogs and cats - is this true?
There are conflicting reports concerning clay litters - their potential toxicity and their potential to cause respiratory illness. I refer to the ASPCA website (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) for this answer:
Many scoopable cat litters contain bentonite clay and/or
silica. The clumping component of kitty litter, sodium
bentonite, is a naturally occurring clay mineral that is
considered to be biologically inert when ingested. Silica
is also a physically and chemically inert substance, and
is a major component found in ordinary sand. Silica,
therefore, is also not considered to be toxic. In our
experience (ASPCA), pets ingesting small amounts of
silica may develop only mild gastrointestinal upset, if any
signs develop at all.
Many cat litters that contain silica are processed in
such a way to remove as much of the fine dust as
possible. If you find that you or your dog is particularly
sensitive to airborne dust particles, you may wish to
consider using an alternate form of litter.
Do you actually use cat litter in the GracieLoo?
There is a wide variety of litter options with the GracieLoo. Choose the option that works best for you and your dog.
- Yes, you may use cat litter. I have used clumping cat litter in Gracie's personal GracieLoo for 10 years. This litter not only absorbs liquid waste, but also forms a solid clump that is easily scooped.
- Optionally, you may use litters made of recycled pine pellets, compressed newspaper pellets, wheat, or ground corncobs. These litters will absorb liquid waste, but will not clump.
Clay cat litter, especially clumping litter, is reportedly dangerous for dogs and cats - is this true?
There are conflicting reports concerning clay litters - their potential toxicity and their potential to cause respiratory illness. I refer to the ASPCA website (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) for this answer:
Many scoopable cat litters contain bentonite clay and/or
silica. The clumping component of kitty litter, sodium
bentonite, is a naturally occurring clay mineral that is
considered to be biologically inert when ingested. Silica
is also a physically and chemically inert substance, and
is a major component found in ordinary sand. Silica,
therefore, is also not considered to be toxic. In our
experience (ASPCA), pets ingesting small amounts of
silica may develop only mild gastrointestinal upset, if any
signs develop at all.
Many cat litters that contain silica are processed in
such a way to remove as much of the fine dust as
possible. If you find that you or your dog is particularly
sensitive to airborne dust particles, you may wish to
consider using an alternate form of litter.
This does not address the issue of a few dogs who may ingest large amounts of litter because of their habit of consuming solid waste. Any large amount of a non-food substance has the potential to cause digestive problems. If this occurs, there are products on the market that deter this habit.
Click here to read more about the GracieLoo Dog Litter Box
Posted by Victoria Blackstone at 11/11/2009 11:02 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: litter box for dogs GracieLoo dog litter box indoor dog potty litterbox train your dog
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: litter box for dogs GracieLoo dog litter box indoor dog potty litterbox train your dog
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