My Dog Ate Crystal Cat Litter What Should I Do?

Are you a pet parent to multiple fur babies? If so, you’re not alone! Some pet parents have adopted dogs and cats, with everyone living as one big happy family! However, when you have a cat, there’s at least one litter box. Unfortunately, dogs like to eat yucky things right out of the litter box! But what if the dog eats crystal cat litter?

Has your dog eaten crystal cat litter? Are you worried the crystal cat litter will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.

We’ve put together some information about crystal cat litter and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!

What is Crystal Cat Litter?

Crystal cat litter is cat litter that contains silica gel beads. The gel beads are solid granules of sodium silicate that work to absorb about 40 times their weight in liquid. The silica beads have microscopic pores that soak up the litter from your cat’s potty in the litter box.

In addition to the liquid, the silica gel beads also trap odor. So, your cat’s box stays dry and doesn’t smell as bad when using crystal cat litter. What’s more, crystal cat litter doesn’t contain as much dust as other types of litter. This cat litter is a better choice for cats and humans that have allergies and asthma.

While crystal cat litter can be safe when used as directed, what happens if a dog eats it?

Crystal Cat Litter & Dogs

The good news is that plain crystal cat litter (non-clumping) is not toxic to the dog if he eats it. However, some dogs may develop an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. However, this should only last for a short time, as the crystals pass through the dog’s system and come out in his poop.

However, crystal clumping cat litter is a completely different story. Some cat litter contains a mix of clumping cat litter (sodium bentonite) and silica beads. When this type of litter becomes wet, it expands and forms a solid clump. If a dog eats this type of litter, there’s the danger of the litter clumping in the dog’s digestive tract. This can lead to constipation and/or an intestinal blockage.

So, if your dog has eaten plain crystal cat litter, monitor his symptoms. He should pass the crystals just fine. However, if your dog has eaten crystal clumping cat litter, then it’s best to call the vet for advice on what to do next to help your dog.

In most cases, dogs that receive prompt medical treatment can make a full recovery after eating crystal clumping cat litter.