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Finding the best cat litter can be difficult, but you know what’s even more challenging is finding the best hypoallergenic cat litter. This article will help you decide which hypoallergenic cat litter is best for you and your feline partner.
Like many people, cats also suffer from allergies. The main known culprit of allergies for cats is from the litter box. Litter boxes harbor chemicals, bentonite, silica dust, clay, and fragrances from dust to bacteria.
The good news is that there are ways you can help your cat and yourself live together more comfortably without sacrificing one or the other’s health quality.
best Products discussed in the article:
#1: Best Overall
#2: Best Value
After testing and researching the many cat litter, I found that Cat’s Pride Unscented Complete Care litter is the best overall cat litter because of the lightweight and long-lasting odor protection.
Due to low dust levels and excellent odor control, Precious Cat Ultra Hard Clumping is runner-up for the best overall hypoallergenic cat litter.
Hypoallergenic Cat Litter Components – Buyer’s Guide
Did you know almost 10 to 30% of the American population has suffered allergies before? Allergies occur when your body is introduced to a foreign substance that your body deems dangerous.
Common reactions to allergies are sneezing, coughing, itching, swelling, or pink/watery eyes.
We have always been aware of allergies, but did you know that cats also react to allergens? Cats are known to have a very fragile immune system.
It’s crucial to inspect the foods and products you purchase for your feline buddy.
These are some of the main features to look at for when buying a hypoallergenic cat litter:
Dust-free
The first thing to look at is if the cat litter in question is dust-free. Simple actions, such as the owner dumping litter into the box or the cat pawing at the litter, can generate dust. Dust caused by litter is one of the main culprits for allergens in people and cats. In small apartments or homes, this causes individuals and felines to develop long-term respiratory issues.
Take dust-free into consideration when selecting a cat litter, especially when choosing a hypoallergenic cat litter.
Material
Choosing a material is crucial. Whether clay, corn, or even coconut, it’s essential to consider what cat litter is.
The most popular cat litter material is clay. Thus many non-hypoallergenic cat litter contains certain chemicals like bentonite or silica dust, which in my opinion, are the main issues that cause allergic reactions in people and cats.
Size of the litter pellets
Although the size of the pellets does not matter when considering hypoallergenic cat litter, it’s still a crucial factor cat parents must feel.
When choosing between bigger or smaller cat litter pellets, it’s necessary to identify the type of litter box you have. For example, smaller pellets are best for mechanical litter boxes because of the litter getting clogged in the litterbox.
Pellet litter is often preferable for cats with long hair since it is less likely to stick to their fur.
Scent or unscented
Many cat litter manufacturers include fragrances in their formulations, which improves the litter’s ability to conceal the odor. Fragrance and artificial smells, on the other hand, are common allergy triggers. Ideally, your hypoallergenic cat litter will be scent-free.
As a general rule, when finding the most optimal hypoallergenic cat litter for your family, consider choosing a scent-free cat litter for the best chance to reduce any possible allergies.
Odor Control
Odor is a problem that people with allergies often face. Therefore many vets promote non-scented cat litter—charcoal or different components that eliminate odor without adding scents to the room are the answer.
Although many people are not allergic to fragrances, it’s always wise to check if that’s the reason why you or your cat may be experiencing allergy flare-ups.
Common Cat Allergies Symptom:
We all know the common allergies we face like runny nose, itchy skin, coughing, sneezing, and much more, but did you know the symptoms your cat shows when they are allergic. Any signs of discomfort are a vital signal for allergies so, keep this in mind.
Check out these indicators listed below to identify if your cat might be allergic:
Excessive grooming:
If you notice excessive grooming or licking, it’s a sign of discomfort. Unlike people, cats can’t scratch themselves, so allergies could be the reason if you notice excessive amounts of licking.
Just a quick note, remember that excessive grooming could be due to a change in routine or environment, so consider this when noticing uncontrollable grooming.
Pulling or biting hair
Suppose your cat seems to pull or bite its hair, most likely due to stress. It can, however, be caused by skin discomfort as a result of allergic reactions on odd occasions.
Although most likely causes would be nervousness, anxiety, fear, or stress.
Constant chewing
Are you noticing your feline buddy chewing themselves excessively? It might be because they are in pain or discomfort (allergens) in that area. Also, boredom, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder Cats who are bored, agitated, or worried may exhibit compulsive chewing.
Ear infections
Inflammation caused by allergens can lead to ear infections. In addition, wax production provides an environment in which naturally occurring bacteria and yeast can proliferate uncontrollably.
Itchy or runny eyes
The leading causes of itchy or runny eyes are foreign substances that enter the cat’s system. Eyes are easily exposed and therefore are one of the first signs of allergens.
Your feline buddy shows irritations immediately, and therefore discomfort as in itchy or runny eyes should be one of the first indicators.
Vomiting or diarrhea
Irritation or inflammation of the stomach or intestines is a common cause of vomiting or diarrhea. In addition, some infections or your cat eating something unsuitable are common reasons for vomiting or diarrhea.
Allergies also work in the same way since foreign substances rejected by the system cause allergies.
Inflammation in the throat
Have you noticed your cat snore excessively? This is due to inflammation located in the throat.
When you have allergies, you are more prone to snore, and your cat is the same way. Asthma, fungal diseases, and bacterial infections can all cause a cat to snore.
If your cat additionally exhibits symptoms like sneezing, coughing, eye or nose discharge, or behavioral or appetite abnormalities, it’s time to take him to the veterinarian.
Swollen or sensitive paws
The majority of cases of swelling are caused by infection, either from an overgrown toenail or a bite or other puncture wound. Other factors, such as a fractured bone or a rubber band or equivalent wrapped around the foot or toe, might cause the foot to swell.
But an uncommon reason for swelling in the paws is due to foreign allergens. Just remember to consider this for swollen or sensitive feet.
7 Best Cat Litter for Allergies – Reviews 2022
Cat’s Pride Unscented Complete Care is an excellent choice for those searching for a hypoallergenic cat litter. This cat litter has the consistency of fine sand (perfect for sensitive paws) and clumps when it comes into touch with any liquid.
I was expecting my cat to leave trails of dust or debris around the house after taking care of their business. But, to my surprise, I found little to no tracks of dust.
The only issue I found is that the odor did not last as long as the manufacturer stated. The smell starts fading after a couple of uses. But tiny refills fixed that issue quickly.
The second item on this list is Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Hard Clumping cat litter. This hypoallergenic cat litter is formulated with their patented non-tracking granules of precious cat classic with medium-gray clay, which promises hard clumping with no sticking on the sides of the litter box.
What makes this my runner-up is the fresh smell this cat litter provides the room for price and size.
To be exact, the size of this cat litter is 40 lb, which makes this the perfect cat litter for multi-cat homes.
This cat litter would have been my top choice. However, due to recent reports from many longtime customers about subpar results, I predict the manufacturer’s attempt at cutting costs.
An excellent premium option for hypoallergenic cat litter is the World’s Best Cat Litter. A perfect alternative for the traditional clay litter, World’s Best Cat Litter is a corn-based cat litter that is a great choice for odor and clumping.
One great feature of this hypoallergenic cat litter is odor control. The World’s Best Cat Litter uses a formula of whole kernel corn that captures and eliminates odor with ease.
Overall a great option for a hypoallergenic cat litter and would’ve been my top option if it wasn’t so expensive. However, people with multiple cats will see a dent in their wallets with this cat litter.
If you’re looking for an affordable, great low dust option, the Arm & Hammer Slide Cat Litter is the perfect option. This hypoallergenic cat litter comes in four sizes ranging from 14 lb, 19 lb, 28 lb, and 38 lb—multiple options, which many of these other cat litters do not give.
When testing this product, little to no dust was found, which made cleaning very easy. In addition, the slide feature coupled with outstanding odor control makes cleaning the litter box a weekly affair.
Great for busy or lazy cat owners (like me :D)!
The feature that stands out to me is the moisture-activated micro-granules, which block odd odors. These granules make a tight barrier around any waste left in your cat’s litter box.
If you’re looking for a great, high-quality scent-free hypoallergenic litter, look no further. The Boxie Premium Clumping Cat Litter is all you need for no fragrance but excellent odor control. A notable feature of this litter is that waste and liquids clump at the top, making cleaning an absolute breeze.
Boxiecat is a known USA premium brand. They follow and test to make sure each process of manufacturing is of the highest quality.
Due to the quality of standard Boxiecat follows, veterinarians often recommend this product to people who suffer from allergies.
Just remember this is not the cheapest product. Therefore, I only recommend this product if you have tried the other options and had little to no success.
If you are looking for a natural and alternative option from clay or hypoallergenic corn litter, check out the Naturally Fresh Cat Litter. The base formula for this litter is walnut, which is an excellent natural neutralizer for odor.
The main reason this “dust-free” natural hypoallergenic cat litter did not rank higher is that this cat litter is not very dust-free.
Many customers experienced an odd brownish layer of dust around the location of the litter box. Due to this, customers or cats with respiratory issues should avoid this cat litter.
But if you can overlook the dust, this is an enticing option for a natural hypoallergenic cat litter.
Last but not the worst, Purina Tidy Cats Lightweight cat litter is an excellent alternative if your feline buddy rejects other hypoallergenic cat litter. One unique feature of this cat litter is its texture and shape. The texture is soft in a ball shape, making it ideal for fragile paws.
All cat owners are always worried about whether unscented cat litter stops terrible odor, but activated charcoal in this cat litter absorbs on contact when used as indicated. In addition, the Ammonia blocker feature stops ammonia odor in its tracks for 14 days.
This hypoallergenic cat litter is an excellent choice for seniors or individuals who have trouble lifting regular cat litter because it only weighs 17 lb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Litter box maintenance:
No one likes a stinky or unclean litter box. However, the smell could be an important reason why your cat might be rejecting the cat litter you choose for your cat, but why? First, it’s essential to realize that a cat’s nose is 14 times stronger than a human’s. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a clean litter box. Ensure to replace your litter twice a week and keep the debris about 2-3 inches full.
Note: washing and cleaning the litter box every 2-3 weeks can help prevent any dirt build-up of bacteria.
Symptoms in people
If you think you have an allergy to cat litter, these are some common symptoms for allergies in people:
- Coughing and wheezing
- Hives and rash on the chest and face
- Red, itchy eyes
- Redness of the skin where a cat has made contact
- Runny, itchy, or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
What should I do if my cat has a litter allergy?
First and foremost, contact your vet and identify the source of the allergies. Often chemicals, dust, and fragrances are the cause.
What should I do if my cat still has allergies after I switch litter?
The search for the best cat litter is a never-ending saga. However, cats are picky creatures by nature, so keep trying new or combining cat litter can often give you great results.
Also, it’s essential to talk to your vet for an examination if your cat is extra picky because that can be their way of saying something is incorrect.
Can indoor cats have allergies?
Just like humans, cats can develop allergies. If your feline buddy goes without a long time without exposure to a particular material or item, they can often develop allergies.
Final Thought
Our top choice for hypoallergenic cat litter is Cat’s Pride Unscented Complete Care. Dust-free, weight and odor control are the main things that were superior to the other hypoallergenic cat litter on this list.
Suppose Cat’s Pride Unscented Complete Care is not your favorite choice. Then, check out these other two high-quality hypoallergenic cat litter that quite didn’t make my top choice but performed excellently are Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Hard Clumping and World’s Best Cat Litter.
Are you allergic to cats? Check out the Most Popular Hypoallergenic Cats!
