Follow-Up to “The End” and Corn-Based Cat Litter

While researching pet food last month I happened to come across an article about the dangers of using food-based cat litters made from corn, and by extension, walnut and wheat.

Aflatoxin is a deadly mold that can be found in pet foods and pet litter containing corn. Several pet food recalls have been caused by aflatoxin contamination. The corn ingredient in cat litter can produce this deadly mold when exposed to warmth and moisture. These conditions can occur in warm and humid warehouses where the product is stored or in a litter box where there is warm urine and especially those litter boxes that are covered.

The author of the article, Susan Thixton, founder and publisher of “Truth about Pet Food,” asks “Even with clumping corn cat litter and the absolutely cleanest litter box—remnants of moisture remain in the box. Are they growing deadly mycotoxins [mold] that could be inhaled and consumed by cats visiting the litter box? If so, what is the risk to cats?”

This article was written in 2010 and I did not find any current updates. It is better, IMHO, to be safe than sorry. If my cat has a medical condition such as liver and kidney issues, I would avoid corn (World’s Best Cat Litter), wheat (sWheat Scoop), walnut (Blue Buffalo) and pine-based litter. And if you make a change to your cat’s litter and he or she starts vomiting, get rid of the litter immediately and take your cat to the vet.

References

https://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/caution-to-use-of-corn-based-cat-litters