#5. Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Silica Cat Gel Litter

Editor's Rating: 4.2/5 Overall Score

There are some cat owners who prefer silica gel litter, over other types of cat litters. This is a very good product by Dr. Elsey's which is virtually dust free and helps control respiratory disease in cats.

It's hypoallergenic and does not contain any plant proteins, perfumes or deodorants. There is a natural essence added to the litter, which helps reduce stress and control feline asthma problems.

This silica gel litter is made of silica sand (does not contain crystalline silica). Some cat owners complained that this litter tracked on the floor, one solution to this is to get a litter mat.  It has a non-clumping formula, however it traps urine and odor on contact. 

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Things to consider about litter for Asthmatic Cats

Allergen-free

The composition of the litter must not have the allergens that cause your kitten to cough and wheeze. It’s the basic requirement for these cat litter. Make sure the are no artificial fragrances or perfumes added, which will worsen the asthma in cat. 

Odor control

It’s an important feature that you should definitely need to prevent the intense scent from affecting the cat’s breathing.

ECO friendly

Basically, dumping litter in the trash can or flushing it using your toilet is not very environmentally friendly. If you care about this matter, which I think we all should, then you should buy a litter with self-degradable features. For example, cat litter made from recycled paper has become very popular in recent years. 

Price

The price may vary depending on many different factors. But you only should buy a product at a reasonable price. Otherwise, it would be better to use sand and small gravel for the job. They are not allergens, just a litter more difficult to clean up. Or if you can, training your cat to poop on the toilet is not a bad idea.

Dust Free Cat Litter for Cats With Asthma

Most of the litter that's sold online produces dust when you pour it into your cat's litter box. This can cause you and your cat to cough and choke, and can lead to health problems for your cat and yourself.

Dusty litter can cause irritation, such as wheezing and coughing, and may even trigger an asthma attack.

Clumping clay cat litter is typically the litter which produces the most dust, when compared to the other types of cat litters. It contains crystalline silica, which can cause respiratory problems.

Keep in mind, that the dust that's found in clumping sodium bentonite clay litter, can get stuck on your cat's fur and paws. This is especially dangerous because when your cat grooms his or herself, they will consume some of this dust.

Once it's inside your cat's intestine, sodium bentonite clay can expand up to 18 times its original volume when it comes in contact with moisture. This is very unhealthy and dangerous for the digestive tracks of cats and kittens.

In addition to this, keep in mind that cats will usually leave a trail of dust inside your home, from their dusty paws. So the dust will spread to other parts of your home. You will need to vacuum your floors regularly, in order to remove tiny dust particles.

How to keep the litter box clean for a long time?

The answer is simple, frequently scooping, choose the right litter, and don’t pour too much litter each time. This may keep your little box stay clean for at least one month before you need to clean the whole box.

To keep the area around the box clean, try using a non-stick cat litter, you can find them here. Another helpful tip, is to switch over to a stainless steel litter box, instead of using a plastic one. 

This is much more hygienic, compared to the plastic litter boxes, because bacteria can not build onto the steel surface. Stainless steel litter boxes are also very durable, and will last years of use. 

How do I teach my new kitten to use the litter box?

If you have a mother cat, then it’d be very easy since it will guide the small kittens to use the box. Or the little one will copy its senior actions. But if you don’t, try to choose the right litter with an attractive smell.

Gently grab your kitten and drop it in the litter box. It’ll begin to feel excited about the litter and find out that this is a really great spot for pooping and urinating in later.

Best way to control litter box odors?

Choose a litter with strong odor controlling feature, keep your litter box in a dry and expose to sunlight spot. The sunlight is a great way to remove awful smell without applying any odor remover. But if the situation is not good, you’re free to use it.

Bottom line

If your cat suffers from asthma, the best cat litter for your home should be one that is dust free and free from any artificial fragrances or harmful chemicals.

Our number one recommendation is the Purina Yesterday's News Unscented Cat Litter. It's made from recycled paper, it controls odor very effectively, and there are no chemical components found inside. 

Make sure you read through our full list of recommended products, and you are sure to find the best solution for your cat's asthma.

Also Read:

Cordless Stick Vacuum for Litter

Cleaning Cat Stains

Getting a cat to sleep is not an easy task. Cats have their own schedule for everything and it's hard to control and force them to do certain things. However, it is not an impossible task.

How to sedate a cat for travel

If you're planning on taking your cat for a trip by car or a plane for example, they might feel nervous and stressed during the whole trip. Giving them a calming spray or chewable treats with help make them feel calmer. Just make sure you follow the dosage instructions, so you're giving them the correct dose while you travel. 

How to sedate a cat for grooming

If your cat needs to have some grooming done or take a bath, you'll notice that they won't be standing still and won't like grooming at all. There are lots of chewable treats, that help pets just with this process. They'll feel more relaxed and calm, without having to fully sedate them.

How to sedate a cat naturally

When choosing a product to give to your pet that will safely sedate them, make sure you read the ingredients carefully and make sure they contain only natural ingredients. For example, the RESCUE REMEDY PET Dropper is a natural homeopathic stress relief drops for pets. If you're still not sure which product to choose you can consult with your vet.

How to put a cat to sleep at home

If you have tried all of the above tips, you might also want to consider tiring your cat out (source). Tiring them out will make them to burn energy quickly and feel sleepy very fast. People can play with them with or without toys, catnip products will be a good idea to stimulate them. Also, having a cat tree in your home will stimulate them to play and sleep there. However, some cats are not easy to please and can get bored quite fast. Kittens seems always more activate than seniors, therefore, it may takes more time to exhaust them.

Other things to consider

Sleeping pills are useful if cats are under treatment and none of the methods mentioned above are helping. All medicines need to be consulted and confirmed safe by vets according to your feline's health condition. Small amount and scientifically regular intake of sleeping pills will not harm your cats, even though it will make them tired or inactive. However, using sleeping pills needs careful consideration and research. If you want to create a new habit so that your family and cats can live in harmony, you should do so in moderation. There are a lot of natural and safe medicine products to calm you cats or alternatives such as calming collar or outlet diffusers.

Temporary sleep at the right time will help cat health conditions improve. Fast nap is good for cats digestion, as explained, because their meal are full of calories and protein, so digesting them will take longer time. Moreover, cats get hungry all the time, hence, their eating habit will cause them obesity if they don’t spend enough time to play.

Other undeniable effects of sleeping is relaxation. Cats sleep for 16 hours a day at average, but they only are in deep sleep for about 5 minutes and easily wake up. Good sleep at short temporary time will help them to relax and gain energy for other activities.

In conclusion, based on feline natural schedule, they are required to sleep 16 hours a day, mostly in nighttime and be most active at dawn and dust. For some reasons coming from owners of cats themselves, they need to take several nap during the day. Hence, above are some recommended methods for how to put a cat to sleep temporarily. In emergency, using sleeping pills or exhausting activities will work, however, if putting cats on quick sleep for purpose of changing their schedule, people must apply more changes in environment and in their diet. In general, suitable schedule of resting and playing is always good for cats, especially domestic felines, and short sleep will be actually supportive and beneficial for them. Nevertheless, if forcing a cat to sleep feels opposite to their natural instinct or normal schedule, people should consult a vet for best solutions and no side effects.

Can Cats Have Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter is made of peanuts, which are usually roasted, and then grounded and processed into paste. However, some manufacturers also add sugar, vegetable oils and even trans fats, to improve the taste. ​

You'll find that peanut butter contains mostly: carbohydrates, plant protein, and fat. Even humans should not be eating too much of it, since it can cause various health problems, such as hearth disease. 

No Nutritional Value

Cats are carnivores by nature, and their diet should consist mainly of meat and fish. There is absolutely no nutritional value for cats if they eat peanut butter, since this is a plant and it doesn't contain the vitamins and minerals that they need.

Chocking Hazard

Since peanut butter has a very tick and sticky texture, this can be a serious chocking hazard, since they'll have a hard time swallowing it. Never give a spoonful or a large amount and leave your feline alone with it.

If you want to give it as a treat, make sure you give one or two licks. Also, make sure you have fresh water close by so they can have a drink and wash down the peanut butter if they have a hard time swallowing it. 

Stomach Upset

Some felines will have a hard time digesting peanut butter, and in the end can have gastrointestinal upset. This will result in them having diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pains. In the end, it's just not worth giving this treat to your lovely pet, because it may cause them discomfort and pain. 

High Calorie Food

Peanut butter is known to be a high calorie food and also has trans fatty acids. The digestive system of cats is not made to break up high amounts of fats in their bodies.

If you have a skinny feline at home, you might be tempted to give them peanut butter. However, you should instead feed them with cat food that helps them gain weight. There are many brands that manufacture specially formulated food, that has higher amounts of protein and so they can gain weight over time. 

Whether you have a kitten, adult or senior cat at home, you should be feeding them with cat food only. Check out our article on the best cat foods, for a healthy feline.

Are Cats Allergic To Peanut Butter?

It is possible for felines to have an allergic reaction after they have tasted peanut butter. Some felines are born allergic to certain foods, while others develop an allergy over time. 

Here are the most common signs of a cat having an allergic reaction: itching, skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, hair loss and others. If you notice any of these symptoms with your cat, you must take them to the vet for a check up so they can be quickly treated.  

Is Peanut Butter Safe For Cats And How Much Can They Consume?

There are several negative effects that peanut butter can have to felines. We already discussed diarrhea, vomiting, and suffering from an allergic reaction. Keeping this in mind, cat owners should really avoid giving any.

We may find it hard to say no to our furry friends, but it's best for their health to keep this food away from them. If you really can't resist, one or two licks should be fine, but make sure you keep a close eye on your pet to see that it's OK afterwards. 

When is it OK for Cats to Eat Peanut Butter?

There is one exception when it's OK to give a little bit of peanut butter to your feline. The only time you can do so, if you have to give them medication.

You can cover the pill in a little bit of peanut butter, so they can swallow it. Just make sure that you have a bowl of water close by, so they can drink some to clear their throat and wash it down. If your feline doesn't like drinking water, you should consider getting them a cat water fountain. 

Is Peanut Butter Good And Healthy For My Cat?

Some people believe that vitamins in peanut butter work for cats. Some studies have been made in labs to conclude that Vitamin H or Biotin which are rich in peanut butter are able to enhance cat skin, fur and nails, and keep cat’s coat smooth and strong.

Vitamin A also is also known for strengthening a cat's immune system. Vitamin E, in combination with other minerals found in peanut butter can decrease the risk of heart disease in cats. However, keep in mind that there are no scientific studies made that show the real effects on cats from feeding them peanut butter. 

Peanut butter is not toxic to cats and it is not found in ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) list of human foods that are toxic to cats. ASPCA has made a very good job of listing the different human foods that can poison your pet, so make sure you refer to it if you have any doubts in the future.

Although peanut butter is not mentioned on the list of toxic foods, there is no real valuable ingredients found inside for your feline.

Keep in mind that some commercial brands many have added xylitol, as an ingredient. Xylitol is known as "sugar alcohol", and tastes and looks like sugar. However products that contain xylitol should never be fed to pets, since they can cause serous health conditions, such as hypoglycemia, liver failure, and even death.

Conclusion: Can Cats Have Peanut Butter?

Some cats really like peanut butter and show interest in it if they see you eating a peanut butter sandwich, for example. You might be tempted to offer them some, however it's not advisable to do so. Although peanut butter is not toxic, it contains high amounts of carbohydrates, sugar and fats, which felines have trouble digesting. This can result in them having diarrhea, vomiting, and other health issues. In the end, it's just not worth giving them peanut butter as a treat. 

Are Bananas Bad For Cats?

Bananas are also rich in carbohydrates and sugar. Carbohydrates make up about 23 % of a medium size banana (about 120g banana will contain 27g carbs ). 

Unfortunately, cats do not have the enzyme needed to digest carbs, therefore carbs should not exceed more than 2% of their diet. If they eat too much carbs over a long time, this may cause health problems.

Bananas are also rich in sugar. However, as carbs, cat assimilation do not function well with digesting sugar, or generally, sweetened food. Neither artificial nor natural sugar is recommended by nutritionists. Furthermore, if eating too much sweet things, sugar would be stored in cat stomach and can cause constipation. 

Cats need large amounts of fats and proteins in their diets, but these ingredients are not found in bananas. On the another hand, cats lack enzymes to digest common components of plant food source that is why they eat meat for most of their meal.

Are Bananas Toxic To Cats?

Cats have sensitive digestive systems. Although bananas are not dangerous or poisonous to cats, they can cause upset stomach and your pet may vomit afterwards. If your feline has a sensitive stomach, you should feed it with cat foods that are easy to digest. 

Can Cats Eat The Banana Peel?

Never give your feline a banana peel, they will not be able to digest it, and most importantly they are a chocking hazard. Always remove the peel, and then offer a bite or two of banana to your feline.

Also, keep in mind that some banana peels may have pesticide, depending on which farm they were grown. Therefore, if there are traces of pesticides found on the peel, this can be toxic for your cat. 

Can Kittens Eat Bananas?

Kittens should drink only milk for the first eight weeks after they were born. After the eight week, until age one, you can begin feeding them kitten appropriate dry or wet food. 

While kittens are growing they need higher amounts of protein, much more than adult or senior cats. Although, it is safe for kittens over 8 weeks old to try small amounts of this fruit, give them only a small amount. 

How to Feed Bananas to Your Cat? 

When you're introducing any new food to your feline, always introduce one new food at a time. This way you can see if there are any allergic reactions or any other negative effects, for example: upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. 

There are a few ways to feed bananas to your cat:

• Peel a banana, and let your feline have one or two bites. Don't let them eat the peel as we already mentioned above.
• Cut a small piece of banana and mix it with their already prepared cat food in their bowl. You can also add some water. 

Firstly, fiber, is acceptable for cats in very small amounts. However, bananas hold up 12% of fiber, equal to famous potassium portion (source), cat’s stomach is unable to deal with such a big amount dues to their lack of functional enzymes. Too much fiber can cause diarrhea. 

Secondly, potassium, well-known component in bananas people enjoy the most, seems not to be necessary for truly carnivore animals, like cats. Actually, human diet is disparate and fiber is always in the top component to add, meanwhile, the theory cannot work with felines.

Cats diet formula are full of meat, they consume mainly proteins from fresh meat to cooked dishes or dry or wet cat food. Consequently, if they consume potassium in a little bite of banana, it may be useful.

Overall, the only beneficial sources that cats can get from bananas are fiber and potassium, however they should be in very small doses. Felines should never be fed whole bananas. 

Generally cats don’t show any interest in bananas, and will not want to see, touch or eat them. There are two reasons for this: the look and smell of this fruit. Of course, there are some exceptions. 

Cats will prioritize animal source of food, but are quite picky when it comes to veggies diet. Bananas just fall in their curiosity list, that they try sometimes.

Bananas look strange to felines, and sometimes they get afraid or terrified when they see one.  The appearance of this fruit, makes them think and mistake it for a predator (source).

Additionally, smell of ripening bananas turns are not quite attractive to cats, either. Ethyl acetate odor generating from ripe bananas is not a cat's favorite. 

It is easy for people to think that if some fruits and vegetables are healthy for them, they are also healthy for their felines. However, this is not true.

The digestive enzymes in a cat's body can work and digest meat primarily. In nature, cats are obligate carnivores and they cannot live without meat in their diet, actually, they are born with a hunting instinct. 

Because of their specific digestive system, cats lack some enzymes which can deal with plant source food such as too much fiber or sugar, components found in most fruits. Consequently, fresh bananas are not preferred in their daily meals.

In sum up, cats are able and allowed to eat bananas in very little amount. Bananas, in facts, confirmed by ASPCA and Margaret Gates, leader of Feline Nutrition Foundation, do not harm your cats, but won't cause much good for them either.

 What is Catnip?

The scientific name for Catnip is Nepeta cataria, or normally known as cat-mint. The plant belongs to the mint family and was first found in areas of Europe, Africa and Asia then later imported to be grown in North America (source).

In nature, catmint can be grown up to 3 feet high. There is a chemical component found found in the stems and leaves called Nepetalactone which attracts cats and make them feel "high". 

There are a few other plants that have a similar effect to cats, such as: alerian root, silver vine, and Tatarian honeysucCat’s behaviorskle.

Does Catnip Effect All Cats?

According to scientific studies, not all cats are interested in catmint, the number will fall in about 50 to 75 %, and they are not classified by breeds or genders. 

Cat’s behaviors to catmints are mostly generically inherited. Some of them do not even react a little bit to this herb during any circumstances, but some will be over affected.

Moreover, Nepeta cataria only works with biologically mature cats. That means under six or eight weeks, kittens may be immune to catnip.

The duration and response to catmint lasts about ten minutes. After that, felines will be under recovering period of about one hour when they will no longer be affected by that herb.

How Does Catnip Effect Cats?

It's important to note that some cats won't be effected by catnip at all, while others will be sensitive to this herb. Kittens won't experience any changes from catnip until they become 3 to 6 months old. 

Felines are attracted to the volatile oil (an oil that evaporates in the air), which is given off by the chemical Nepetaloctone.

Over-excitement

Usually, cats will first smell and sniff catmint, which will make them lick and try to eat the plant and its leaves, as well as roll on the floor. The more they crush the plant, the more Nepetaloctone is vented, and your cat will start to rub it's cheeks and chin on it, and feel very excited. 

Calming effect

In some cases, felines will actually feel calmer and mellow after eating or being exposed to the plant.

The effect last about 10 minutes, so it wears off very soon, after which for the next two hours your feline won't be affected at all. 

Why Does Catnip Affect Cats?

The Nepetaloctone will enter a cat's nose, and from the nasal channel, the scent tie up certain receptors, commonly, rouse sensory cells in brain for further stimuli. The front brain, where sensing processes are analyzed, will be in charge of tacking scent.

Special Nepetalactone excite some regions of the brain where behavioral and emotional responses to stimuli are under control, amygdala and hypothalamus. The responses of these regions come out, as people can see, over excitement and instant rubbing of head and body.

What Are The Benefits of Using Catnip?

Many cat owners overlook this, however felines need to be stimulated mentally and physically on a daily basis, otherwise they can get depressed. 

Cats are born to move and hunt, however when they live in a calm indoor environment, they can begin feeling depressed, aggressive, or anxious. That's why we should spend more time playing with them and provide them with different stimuli.

Does Catnip Make Cats High?

Catnip is not addictive to felines, and will not get them "high" like humans who are using drugs for example. It won't make them hallucinate either. 

However, their behavior will change, and they'll be more hyperactive and in some cases aggressive. They'll be rubbing and chewing the catnip plant more and more, so that more Nepetalactone is released.

Can Cats Eat Catnip?

Yes, cats and kittens can eat catnip, and in this case it will act as a sedative. Be careful that your feline doesn't eat too much, otherwise it may cause diarrhea and vomiting. 

If you know that your feline has a sensitive stomach, it's best to avoid giving them catmint, also you should be feeding them with food for cats with sensitive stomach.

It is non-addictive, so you can consider growing some in your garden or as a house plant. If you decide to grow it in your garden, remember that this is a vigorous grower, and may invade your garden like a weed.

Can a Cat Have Too Much Catnip?

If you're introducing catnip to your feline for the first time, make sure you give a little bit and then monitor how it reacts to it and if experiences some stomach discomfort. 

Another way to introduce the herb to your cat is by getting them a cat toy, which contains catnip inside. This way, they'll only be rubbing it and trying to bite it, however they won't consume any.