Did Zeolite kill Cruiser the cat?

"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave) 10/01/2017 at 10:53 • Filed to: None

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Our vet told us Cruiser died of mesothelioma and the only source in our house would have been zeolite from of all things cat litter. My daughter and I have both researched it and have narrowed it down to that. Its a clay product and even though its a known cancer source our wonderful government has no warnings for it. They go nuts over asbestos exposure but we are allowed to ever buy pure zeolite at pets shop to add even more to cat litter. Just imagine the outrage if it was discovered somehow you could buy any substance at all grocery stores and pet shop that was a cancer causer but it had no warnings on the container. Well thats exactly whats going on. Almost any clay based cat litter can contain it and the dust is the culprit. So here is a warning for everyone for both your family and pets health to get alternative litters if you have a cat or to look for low dust or dust free litter. I even thought about oil dry we have all used to clean up oil spills and wonder how many of those are clay based.

I’ve hoped that I could post this to another part of Kinja so it would get the warning out to more people. In researching this I saw just a few reports confirmed of mesothelioma in cats but our vet has seen several cases now in the past few years. I just want other people to be aware and hopefully make people take notice of a substance that could harm us or our pets that few people know about.

Its been almost two months now since we lost him but he was the smartest pet I’d ever had. He had more personality and intelligence than even three Beagles we had owned, The only cat we had ever had that took voice and hand commands like a dog. I could let him outside while we unloaded groceries from the car and then call him to tell him to go inside, he would run to the door and wait for us to open it. He opened cabinet doors and even turned off a few light switches. We knew he was smarter than normal when as a kitten he started to drag the pooper scooper into the litter to signal us he wanted it cleaned. He had so many talents that just one or two would have be amazing. His tricks were numberous. He could count how many objects you showed him be it food or toys. He was remarkable. He will be truly missed.

$kaycog > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 11:06

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I’m so sorry for your loss. I forwarded this info to my friends who have cats.

Dave the car guy , still here > $kaycog 10/01/2017 at 11:13

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Thank you. Hopefully through word of mouth and the web we can make more people know of the danger of a substance we have all been exposed to. I don’t want his death to have been in vain.

Aremmes > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 12:18

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Well, I already knew that clay-based cat litter sucks, now I have another reason to avoid it. My condolences — seems you had an exceptional friend.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 12:20

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Google gave me strange results (also I know nothing about Zeolite)

LOREM IPSUM > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 12:21

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Now I haz a huge sad. I’m going to go squeeze my kitty.

My condolences on your loss.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 12:26

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I’m very sorry to hear about your cat. We had two cats die of old age, it just sucks no matter what.

From what I understand Zeolites are a silica-aluminum molecule. Silica is regulated by the feds and is either a know carcinogenic like asbestos or a likely carcinogenic compound (meaning there isn’t enough empirical data to back it up but they think it’s bad). Fact remains though that particles less than 2.5 microns is hazardous to humans and I would assume to any animal life, anytime you can reduce dust and inhalation of dust is a good thing.

Dave the car guy , still here > Aremmes 10/01/2017 at 12:27

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He was exceptional indeed. Least trained, would hang out with my Audi/VW friends when working on cars. He was 19 lbs and just a big cuddly boy but had attitude. He now has a memorial spot in the back yard under a hydrangea we planted today. We even had a little memorial service with daughter in town and her best friend who was around when we got him 13 years ago. He was a catdog who ran to the door whenever anyone came to visit. He was always the first one to greet anyone.

Dave the car guy , still here > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/01/2017 at 12:32

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Look at Mesothelioma.com. Even in the UK cancer sites they say its a danger. So much crap on the web. But you have to remember that many chemo chemicals if not controlled are poisonous.

https://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/risk-factors/

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-chat/thread/zeolite-and-asbestos-same-dangers-not-enough-information

oldwomanyellsatclods > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 13:05

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I’m so sorry for your loss; we can form such close bonds with our animal companions.

Apparently zeolite is also a component in closed litter box filter systems as an odor controller.

I’ve been using World’s Best Cat Litter for a number of years and have been quite happy with it. It is corn based, biodegradable, flushable and clumping, and seems to control odor as well as, or better than clay-based litters. I would avoid the pine variety, as pine oil in any form (like pine-sol cleanser) can be toxic for cats. I’ve used Sweatscoop (made from wheat), but it forms a concrete layer in the bottom of the litter box, and has to be chipped out.

victor > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 13:08

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The only reason asbestos risk was even a thing is that both mfgrs and the federal government was sued. If it wasn’t for that, the asbestos lobbyists had the gov’t in pocket. Government warnings about cancer is a highly political thing everywhere, but particularly in the US

Notorious GIGI > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 13:15

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I switched to a corn-based cat litter called World’s Best Cat Litter because I was worried about the health effects of the dust from the clay-based litter. You can get it at any store that sells pet stuff or on Amazon. I highly recommend it. My cats seem to like it too.

I’m very sorry for your loss. Cruiser seems like a special kitty indeed.

Dave the car guy , still here > Notorious GIGI 10/01/2017 at 13:22

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Thanks we will be looking for another cat after the holidays but we no way will ever find another as unique as Cruiser.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 13:32

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My cat, being born a stray cat, never learned how to properly use the restroom. Tried a walnut? based litter and it was not to his liking.

Another issue is finding a type that clumps.

Wish I had a smart cat...I just have a 20lb needy baby.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/01/2017 at 13:40

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Try a Worlds Best Cat Litter. It’s corn based and clumps pretty good.

horizonsofkhaos > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 13:58

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So sorry for your loss. I appreciate the info on the clay cat litter issue. I’ve been using some and I’ll have to look into the brand and see if it’s a potential issue.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 14:10

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sorry for your loss.

the major problem for substances such as this is testing required

A) isn’t mandated

B) even if it were might not show the hazard of the material.

The problem is the difficutly in assessing (danger of material) X (duration of exposure) x (number of times subject will be exposed) The best testing for the health impact is ISO 10993, but the two main tests are assessed after a short period or after implantation after 30 days. An issue is that neither of those tests are applicable to how your cat would be exposed. This is very similar to the baby powder for feminine use. Baby powder itself isn’t harmful under short term exposeure. The question gets raised “ok, but what after 20,000 exposures”. In that period there are an enormous number of factors that could contribute, as well as the difficulty in conducting a study over years.

then there is the branch of discussion over what, and what shouldn’t be regulated and how severly.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 10/01/2017 at 14:24

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I will definitely give it a go after reading a couple of the other comments!

vulvasaurus > oldwomanyellsatclods 10/01/2017 at 15:06

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How does it do with tracking? We brought home a kitten a month ago and looked into World’s Best but saw that some people said that it tracks throughout the house or gives kitties dusty paws. We’re using Dr. Elseys (which doesn’t appear to contain zeolite) and am happy with it, but would like to switch to a clay free one if possible.

oldwomanyellsatclods > vulvasaurus 10/01/2017 at 15:10

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I haven’t noticed that their paws are dusty, or that they’re tracking it through the house. Now, my boxes are in the basement, so it’s possible that the dust and particles get shaken off by the time they make it to the main floor.

You might want to give it a try yourself, and see if you find it different from what you’re currently using.

vulvasaurus > oldwomanyellsatclods 10/01/2017 at 15:36

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I’d kill for a basement to keep the litter box in. We’re in an 800 sq ft apartment so the box is in the bathroom. Our kitten thinks that the litter box is for playing in and then jumping out of like a bat out of hell so my life is a litter-everywhere nightmare right now and I don’t want to add regular tracking to that. Maybe once she calms tf down I’ll give World’s Best a try. Thanks!

Sabriel > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 15:50

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Jesus, thank you so much for the warning! We just lost one of two kitties about a month ago. The other one is still pretty healthy for her age, thank goodness.

I think we use clay based litter. I’ll look into using something else.

Thanks again.

Hobocamper > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 16:30

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I’m so sorry for your loss. Cruiser sounded very cool, and was really cute.

accordingto > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 18:43

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Seconding the corn or wheat based litters. Personally, low dust non- clumping silica “crystal” litters are my favorite.

I’m a shelter worker and we sometimes joke about whether in 30 years we’ll all get “shelter lung” from the combination of litter dust, dander, cleaning solutions, and pathogens we’re exposed to every day. Thankfully we started using dust-free clay litter almost exclusively.

Flamingo83 > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 18:45

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I’m so sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing the info on zeolite.

accordingto > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/01/2017 at 18:48

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Try “Dr Elsey’s Long Haired Cat Litter”. It’s a silica crystal litter with an added “herbal cat attractant” that actually seems to work. Our jerk out-of-the-box-pooping cat uses it and no other kind. It doesn’t clump, though, but I really don’t mind.

accordingto > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/01/2017 at 18:49

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Is it likely to be contaminated with asbestos the way talc can be?

accordingto > vulvasaurus 10/01/2017 at 18:50

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Dr Elsey’s crystal litter is clay free. I love it.

Dave the car guy , still here > accordingto 10/01/2017 at 19:19

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Nice to hear that somebody around shelters is aware of the dangers. Just need to spread the word.

Chariotoflove > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 19:22

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Our cat goes outside, but this is a good thing to know because one of the most effective things for getting rid of foot odor in shoes is to put a sock full of kitty litter in them. Works like a charm. Maybe I shouldn’t do that to my daughter’s shoes anymore.

I’m sorry for your loss. It’s tough to lose a cherished pet.

Dave the car guy , still here > Hobocamper 10/01/2017 at 19:27

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He was far from your average feline.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > accordingto 10/01/2017 at 19:29

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Ah, see, if it doesn’t clump, huge problem.

My cat literally pisses out several pounds in one go.

RacinBob > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 20:35

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Interesting, nice to know that there is even more stuff that can kill you said the guy who was shoveling about 5 pounds of kitty litter to clean up spilled oil today....

https://www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org/asbestos/zeolite-and-mesothelioma/

Dave the car guy , still here > RacinBob 10/01/2017 at 20:59

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I wonder why they don’t mention it in those mesothelioma commercials if it another primary source?

accordingto > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/01/2017 at 22:07

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It is verb absorbent and soaks up urine really well without smelling. I recommend trying a little or perhaps mixing it with a non-clay clumping type.

accordingto > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 22:19

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Well when you’re stocking litter bins by dumping a few 40lb bags of litter in them and a big cloud of dust fills the room, you kinda have to think about how much you’re inhaling. Moreso when you find you have gray boogers and your hair smells like tidy cats litter.

KrabbyPaddy > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 22:44

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Terrible pain, Dave thcg. Sweet dreams, Cruiser the Cat. Losing an animal family member is the worst. xo

nasty woodland creature > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 22:49

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I’m sorry for your loss.

Just some extra info, zeolite seems to be an ingredient primarily in non-clumping, clay litters.

Dave the car guy , still here > KrabbyPaddy 10/01/2017 at 22:57

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My wife has a bunch of school teacher friends who all knew him from when they come over to our house. We got more sympathy cards for his passing than when my mother died. When your dog lover friends say he was the only cat they ever liked, he was that cool.

Dave the car guy , still here > nasty woodland creature 10/01/2017 at 22:58

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Thanks, good to know.

RacinBob > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 22:59

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My opinion is they go after things that are settled law and that there is a trust fund settlement for. Why should the Sokolove  law firm want to bring up other reasons for the cancer?Especially when whomever is in the trust settlement litigation would love to be able to say wait, there is another non asbestos reason that the cancer could be caused.....?

Thanks for bringing this up, I’ve passed this on to my racing partner about our kitty litter. I am not a toxicology expert, but why should we use the stuff with warnings like this.  

https://www.uline.com/PDF/SS-11683.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0384.html

Dave the car guy , still here > RacinBob 10/01/2017 at 23:02

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I’ve wondered if thats why many shops have switched to the soak up type oil mats for clean up?

KrabbyPaddy > Dave the car guy , still here 10/01/2017 at 23:18

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I still have a stack of condolence cards for my late, great Shorty dawg. Some actually sent flowers. It got me through.

My Mother is still here. I’m sure your friends showed up in person for your Mother’s service, right? So much more important

RacinBob > Dave the car guy , still here 10/02/2017 at 01:07

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Hmmm. Good question. Granted, the MSDS on brake cleaner is probably as bad. Probably need to stick to my desk job.....

Dave the car guy , still here > KrabbyPaddy 10/02/2017 at 07:32

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My mother was states away so a few sent flowers.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Dave the car guy , still here 10/02/2017 at 10:19

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Sorry for your loss. My cat has similar colouring, only he’s a lot lighter than 19lbs, has a bushier tail and has a brown nose instead of a pink one.

Athingwithfeathers > Dave the car guy , still here 10/02/2017 at 21:24

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I miss my Mowgli still and it’s been so long since he died. It hurts so much that I try not to think about him. He played hide and seek and “Flying Cat” and a game he invented I called “Counting Coup”, where he would try to sneak up on people, bop them lightly and then run away. If you saw him creeping up and said, I see you, Mo, he’d freeze then slink away and try again. He had the greatest sense of humor. I swear he was smarter than any cat I’ve ever known. I am sorry for your loss.

I tell myself how lucky I am to have known such a spectacular being as my Mo. It sounds like you’ve been blessed with just such a friendship. Most will never know such fur friends as we have. Keep sharing about Cruiser, we keep our friends memory alive and honor them with our memories.

Dave the car guy , still here > Athingwithfeathers 10/02/2017 at 22:51

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Mowgli sounds like he was a great cat too. Cruiser would sometimes get pissed at my wife if I was out of town for any length of time. On the day I’d return he would do a hit and run on her. He would sneak up and lightly nip an ankle and then hide. It was like he was mad at her that I’d been away and now that I’d returned it was okay for him to express his anger. He also had a thing where he would occasionally beg for just a taste of table food. We have bar height dining room chairs and would stand up to tap you in the small of the back. A taste of butter, gravy or mashed potatoes etc on a finger tip was enough for him to go away satisfied. Sometime post some Mowgli pics and stories.

BJS > Dave the car guy , still here 03/01/2020 at 02:35

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Hi Dave, I know this is really late, but wanted to say I’m terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved feline friend. I can’t even stomach the thought of losing one of my babies! And I also wanted to thank you because I was just about ready to purchase Zeolite cat litter deodorizer on Amazon.com, but just as I do for everything else that I purchase them, I googled if it was safe for cats and that’s how I came upon your heartbreaking story. Thank you for sharing this very helpful info. Take care!

Dave the car guy , still here > BJS 04/08/2020 at 18:27

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N o problem, just don’t want anyone else having the same issues. Take car of your cats. Low dust or a non-clay litter is the safer choice.