Cage

Is it safe to use fresh kitty litter in your bird cage?

I have used unscented kitty litter before in my birds' cages and they seemed to like it. It absorbs the mess a little better and don't stink. Real answers only, not stupid answers. I currently do use wood shavings from wal-mart, The type that is used for small animal bedding. I just needed to know if its safe to use kitty litter and I didnt stop to think about the clumping that is does. Thanks for the information that has been brought out already. I currently do use wood shavings from wal-mart, The type that is used for small animal bedding. I just needed to know if its safe to use kitty litter and I didnt stop to think about the clumping that it does. Thanks for the information that has been brought out already.

Public Comments

1. I really don't think it's a good idea, and I think you were lucky nothing happened when you used it before. The problem: The bird may digest the clay product, and clay absorbs moisture and swells. Not good for your bird. Furthermore, there is a lot of dust in cat litter. Very bad for the respiratory system of the innocent bird. Call your vet and ask what they recommend to use on the bottom of the cage to absorb odours and the mess. How about a pet store as well? I wouldn't bother using it, just to be on the safe side.
2. I definatley wouldn't recommend it. as some of the birds may peck or eat the kitty litter. most kitty litters have chemicals in them to help clumping the waste. the best thing to use is old newspaper or you can buy "cage liners" at any pet store. I have heard many things about using a "pine" or other type of woodchip type litter. all of that sort of stuff has harmful chemicals in them. Even if you have a grate down so there isn't direct contact with the litter or otherwise any sort of harmful smells or orthweise can still be emitted through the air and can potentially harm the bird. Newspaper or "cage liners" are the best to go with. There is also a great controversy on the use of grit for your birds. it is something that is not needed and too much of it can fill the crop and kill the bird. my suggestion would to be to pick up bird specific books on the breeds you own and learn as much as you care about the proper care for you bird. seeds should be %80 of your birds diet while the rest is made up of fresh fruits, vegi's and sprouts. booze, chocolate, Teflon pans, andy kind of smoke and many household cleaners as well as plants can be very harmful to our feathered friends.
3. Bird poop does not stink if the birds are healthy and their diet is appropriate for the breed. Kitty litter, if ingested will kill your birds. Even a small amount. So to answer your question, it is not safe for your birds. Even if they cannot reach it to ingest it, the dust from the litter is enough to cause upper respiratory problems.
4. absolutely not! Newspaper is the best thing to use. The bird will ingest the kitty litter and is unable to digest it and will clog his intestinal tract.
5. I use crushed walnut shells for all of my birds. I agree that the kitty litter is not a good idea. Birds have gulletts to help digest their food. The clay in kitty litter could cause severe problems in digestion if the bird eats any of it and the chemicals that make the litter clump are toxic to birds.
6. NO. Not unless it is in a pan under the wire bottom of the cage out of reach of the birds. If it is injested it can make the bird ill or die. As you know birds peck on the dropped seeds on the floor of their cage (if it doesn't have a wire bottom) and they can injest some of to the litter. The bedding for small animals, unles it has been chemically treated would be a safer and better choice. Good luck
7. Accually, NEITHER bedding is safe. The only reccomended bedding is flat paper/newspaper. This way you can examine the bird's droppings to make sure they are not sick AND it is easy to clean. All "bedding" will grow a very nasty mold called Aspergillus(Asper for short) which will KILL your birds when inhaled. It is not healthy for you as well. THROW out all the bedding, clean the tray and bottom of the cage with white vinegar, and replace with old newspaper when dry.