{"id":67,"date":"2011-10-25T20:32:48","date_gmt":"2011-10-25T20:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kapush.net\/cat-litter\/?p=67"},"modified":"2026-05-12T14:10:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T08:40:57","slug":"silica-gel-cat-litter-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kapush.org\/cat-litter\/silica-gel-cat-litter-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Problems with Silica Cat Litter | Revised & Updated May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is silica cat litter safe? When this article was originally written (2011), our research indicated that it wasn’t.\u00a0 We cited references from peer reviewed studies<\/a> and user review<\/a> that cat litter with crystalline silica was hazardous for both humans and cats (and that still holds true). You can also check the comment section of this article to see exactly how unsafe it has been for actual users.<\/p>\n

In recent years, however, we’ve had comments that indicate all silica cat litter may not be created from the harmful variety, after all. We researched some more and here’s what we found:<\/p>\n

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Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS),<\/span><\/strong> commonly known simply as Silica Gel, is not harmful for either humans or cats. Moreover, it should mix very well with the soil layer because it is similar to the inorganic constituents of soil. So, it is eco-friendly, as well. This synthetic form of silicon dioxide derived from sodium silicate was patented by Professor Walter A. Patrick in 1918.<\/p>\n

Respirable Crystalline Silica\u00a0 (RCS)<\/span><\/strong> is harmful in many ways for animals and humans and may have infected more than 200,000 people in the US alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Synthetic Amorphous Silica Gel Cat Litter<\/h2>\n

In Comparison of Disease Risks Between Amorphous and Crystalline Silica<\/em> by Greer, M A; Goldsmith, D F concludes: “Despite increased activation of inflammatory enzymes, it seems as though amorphous silica or nanosized glass exposure does not lead to pulmonary fibrosis or lung cancer.” [Source<\/a>]<\/p>\n

And here is\u00a0a more detailed examination of Synthetic Amorphous Silica and Silicates that should prove reassuring:<\/p>\n