It can be surprising and even a little concerning to see your kitten or adult cat eating clumping or silica gel litter. While it might seem odd, this behavior isn’t entirely uncommon. Cats can nibble on litter for several reasons, ranging from curiosity to underlying health issues.
It’s crucial to know why your cat is acting in this way because some litters can be extremely dangerous if consumed. For instance, clumping litter may expand and cause blockages in the stomach. Although silica gel litter is absorbent, it should not be consumed as it may cause digestive issues.
This post will discuss the causes of this strange behavior in cats and offer advice on what to do if your feline begins to eat litter. By identifying the underlying cause, you can take the appropriate precautions to safeguard the health and wellbeing of your pet.
- The kitten tries to eat the filler out of curiosity
- The cat is trying to replenish the mineral deficiency
- The cat sharpens its teeth
- The animal is attracted by the smell, taste, consistency of the filler
- The pet has mental health problems
- Why eating filler is dangerous?
- Video on the topic
- How to train a kitten, an adult cat to a litter box in an apartment
- What to do if a cat constantly scatters filler?
- A kitten eats litter for a toilet: what to do
- How often to change the filler in a cat litter box
- Cat filler. Test of filler for a cat toilet. Which filler is better.
- What to consider when choosing a filler for cats? Which filler is suitable for a cat?
The kitten tries to eat the filler out of curiosity
Like young children, kittens are very lively and inquisitive. Babies that lack intelligence are just starting to explore their surroundings, and they like to taste everything. The litter is connected to a humorous toy because it rustles and spills when the kitten begins to dig with its paws. The baby tries such a toy with its teeth out of sheer curiosity.
The cat is trying to replenish the mineral deficiency
Cats should have a diet that is well-balanced in terms of the amounts of vitamins and minerals. For cats to keep their nervous system and musculoskeletal system healthy, they need macroelements like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, as well as microelements like manganese, copper, chromium, and zinc. The development of teeth and bone tissue requires calcium. An adequate supply of vitamins B, E, and K is necessary for the animal’s digestive system to operate properly. An essential amino acid for the small intestine’s fat digestion process is irreplaceable taurine. The following table shows how much mineral an adult cat needs each day:
| Mineral | What is it needed for | Daily requirement | Symptoms of deficiency | What foods contain |
| Phosphorus | Maintaining normal acid-base balance | 0.16 g | Increased acidity (acidosis), hemolytic anemia | By-products, fish |
| Calcium | Formation of the skeleton and tooth enamel, muscle contraction | 0.18 g | Fragility of teeth, joint pain | Cottage cheese, fermented milk products |
| Magnesium | Cell membrane permeability, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction | 25 mg | Growth retardation, seizures, convulsions | Fish, legumes, cereals |
| Sodium | Maintaining acid-base balance, participation in neural connections | 43 mg | Thirst, disruption of the excretory system, underweight | Canned food, cheese, bread, meat products |
| Iron | Function of the hematopoietic system | 5.5 mg | Anemia, apathy, weakness | Liver, red meat, pumpkin seeds |
| Copper | Participation in the development of connective tissue, general metabolism | 0.3 mg | Lack of body weight, weakening of reproductive function | Fish, liver |
| Zinc | Tissue regeneration | 4.5 mg | Violation of the integrity of the skin, itching | Meat |
The wellbeing and general health of the pet are impacted by mineral deficiencies. When the body is lacking in macro- and microelements, the animal starts looking for them on its own in the environment. This is among the causes of a cat’s gnawing on clumpy litter. It attempts to compensate for the deficiency of minerals.
The cat sharpens its teeth
To keep its teeth sharp, the animal occasionally eats silica gel filler. Cats are still predators at heart, so they occasionally sharpen their teeth and claws. The cat may scratch and chew on furniture if there aren’t any designated scratching posts in the house. Cats bite silica gel because it is a hard substance that can be bit by applying force with the teeth.
See also: How to train a pet to use a scratching post, how to wean a cat or cat to stop ripping wallpaper and sharpening claws on furniture?
Teething irritates and bothers the baby, which can make a kitten anxious. It might rub and scratch at the hard filler granules, trying to relieve the pain in its gums.
The animal is attracted by the smell, taste, consistency of the filler
The taste and smell of toilet filler can draw in a kitten. In order to help animals quickly acclimate to the tray, hygiene product manufacturers add a variety of fragrances. These scents encourage pets to sample the granules. It is advised to just switch the filler in these situations—for example, switching to wood.
The pet has mental health problems
If the cat is stressed out or has mental health issues, it can consume the filler. The cause could be something like fear, relocating to a new house, an ownership change, or the arrival of a new pet in the apartment. The animal’s owner should be aware that attempts to eat substances or objects that are inedible can be a sign of rabies. A veterinarian should be consulted if there is a sudden interest in the filler, as this is a deadly disease that poses a risk to humans as well.
Why eating filler is dangerous?
Swallowing wood fillers won’t seriously impair a cat’s health because they don’t contain any toxic materials. If the animal consumes silica gel or clumping filler, there is a risk.
Moisture causes the clumping mixture to clump together into a single lump, which swells quickly when wet. Once in the mouth, the mixture’s grains adhere to the cat’s hard palate and are continuously moistened by saliva. The object causes difficulty because the animal tries to swallow it. However, the object grows larger in the mouth and can become lodged in the throat or esophagus, suffocating the animal. As soon as the lumps enter the stomach, they enlarge and block the intestinal lumen, necessitating immediate surgery.
Silica gel is another extremely dangerous material. Small granules are easily ingested, but when they are exposed to moisture in the stomach, they immediately swell and multiply in size. The pet’s health is at risk when swollen loose particles adhere to the stomach and esophageal walls. If you do not discover that the cat has swallowed silica gel granules in time, there could be a deadly consequence. A veterinarian’s assistance is required.
| Reason | What to do |
| Curiosity | Keep the litter box clean and use non-toxic litter options |
| Nutrient deficiency | Consult a vet for dietary supplements or changes |
| Pica (eating non-food items) | Provide toys, stimulation, and consult with a vet |
| Boredom | Engage the cat with more play and interactive activities |
| Stress or anxiety | Reduce stress factors, create a calm environment, and consult a vet |
It’s critical to act swiftly if a kitten or adult cat is consuming clumping or silica gel litter. Cats may act in this way due to malnourishment, curiosity, or boredom. Anemia is one medical condition that can cause strange eating habits. You can learn a lot about the cause of this by keeping an eye on your cat’s behavior and noting any changes in their health.
You can lower the risk by making the switch to a safer, non-toxic litter and making sure your cat gets lots of exercise and mental stimulation. In order to keep them from attempting to eat non-food items, it’s also a good idea to provide a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Always be on the lookout for any indications that something may be off.
See your veterinarian if the behavior continues or if you observe any other symptoms. To rule out any underlying health issues, they can perform tests. Proactively safeguarding your cat’s health and safety from an early age can help.
Kittens and adult cats alike may eat clumping or silica gel litter out of curiosity, malnourishment, or even underlying medical conditions like digestive disorders or anemia. Discouragement of this behavior is necessary immediately because consuming litter can result in major complications, such as blockages. To assist, keep a close eye on your cat’s health, move to a safer litter, and see a veterinarian if the behavior continues or if you observe any other strange symptoms.
