Can cat litter substitute for small animal bedding?

Using cat litter as small animal bedding can create life-threatening situations for your small pets due to the significant differences in its formulation. Clumping cat litters swell to several times the original size when wet, creating potential for intestinal blockage and severe illness if ingested. Dust particles from clay litter will harm the delicate respiratory systems of small animals when they are not designed with animal safety in mind.

Clumping litter causes deadly intestinal blockages when small animals groom themselves. The clay can swell up to 15 times its size in moist digestive tracts, and emergency surgery is required within hours. Paper bedding breaks down safely if ingested, averting these emergencies.

Scented litters poison sensitive lung tissue with fragrant volatiles. Unlike unscented bedding, the products of scented litters spark chronic respiratory disease in rats and guinea pigs. I've treated pets whose lungs were permanently scarred from just two weeks of exposure to scented materials.

If you are switching from litter to proper bedding, do so carefully. Start with paper pellet bedding (or a product that closely resembles the texture of your pet's litter) and gradually mix in your preferred product over a week, observing your pet's acceptance through their breathing patterns.

Bedding that supports your pet's respiratory health and keeps their digestion on track. Coconut fibre has a clean safety record, no nasty dust or expansion properties in sight. Pay the price for species-specific bedding now & avoid the pains of expensive vet emergencies later.

Read the full article: Ultimate Guide to Small Animal Bedding