![Cat sitting inside of litter box while looking at something, Some Types of Cat Litter are Flammable [Here's how to avoid the risk]](https://litter-boxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Some-Types-of-Cat-Litter-are-Flammable-Heres-how-to-avoid-the-risk-683x1024.jpg)
As you start planning for your new cat, you might have some safety concerns, including the question, "Is cat litter flammable?" It's an exciting time, but we know you have lots of questions! That's why we've searched the internet for the best and most relevant answers and put them together for you right here in this blog post.
First, we'll give you a quick overview of whether or not the most common types of cat litter are flammable:
- Clumping litter - Clumping litter, which is made from bentonite clay, is not flammable.
- Non-clumping clay-based litter - Since it's also made from clay, non-clumping clay-based litter is also not flammable.
- Silica crystal litter - Silica crystal litter is made from silica gel, which is a stable, non-reactive, non-flammable material.
- Biodegradeable litter - Depending on what it's made from, most biodegradable cat litter is potentially flammable. For example, litter made from paper, wood shavings, or wheat will all catch fire if exposed to a flame. However, there is no risk of biodegradable cat litter spontaneously combusting.
Of course, you may have other concerns relating to the flammability of cat litter, but no worries - we've answered more of the most commonly asked questions right here in this article. So let's get started!
Is Arm and Hammer Cat Litter Flammable?
Aside from their biodegradable litters made from wood and corn, all of Arm and Hammer's cat litter are clay-based, which means they're not flammable. Bentonite clay, which is used to make most clumping cat litter, is entirely non-flammable and can be used to put out fires - more on that later in this article! The types of clay used to make other non-clumping litters are non-flammable as well.
Click here to view this Arm and Hammer clumping cat litter on Amazon.
Click here to view this corn-based biodegradable Arm and Hammer cat litter on Amazon.
Is Tidy Cats Cat Litter Flammable?
Tidy Cats has a wide variety of cat litter, including clay-based clumping, non-clumping, and scented paper pulp-based pellets, and wood and paper-based biodegradable. All of their clay-based litters are non-flammable, but the pellets and biodegradable varieties are flammable and should be stored away from heat or flames.
Click here to view this Tidy Cats cat litter on Amazon.
Click here to view these Tidy Cats litter pellets on Amazon.
Is Fresh Step Cat Litter Flammable?
Fresh Step makes silica and clay-based cat litter, and according to their website, none of their litter is flammable. Both silica gel and clay are stable, non-flammable materials.
Click here to view this Fresh Step silica litter on Amazon.
Is the Litter Box a Fire Hazard in Your Home? [And How to Prevent That]
If you're using clay-based litter, there should be no risk of fire. It's generally best to keep the litter box away from hot surfaces such as a furnace, fireplace, or heating vent, but that's more to prevent the plastic litter box from melting than to avoid burning the litter.
However, things are a little different when it comes to biodegradable litters. Wheat bran- and paper-based cat litters, in particular, burn easily and can even cause spontaneous combustion. With this added risk, you may wonder why you would consider choosing biodegradable litter over clay litter.
There are several good reasons to choose this type of litter - it breaks down after being discarded instead of sitting in a landfill, it's made from sustainable materials instead of environmentally damaging clay, and there is a minimized risk of toxins. You can read our article 8 Types of Biodegradable Cat Litter (Including Pros and Cons) to learn even more about biodegradable litter.
And don't worry, you don't have to choose between the health of the environment and the safety of you and your cat! As long as you take a few precautions, the biodegradable litter in your cat's litter box won't present a safety hazard.
- Keep the litter box away from hot things like stoves, fireplaces, heaters, furnaces, or heating vents.
- Avoid burning candles near the litter box - it might be tempting to mask the smell in this way, but if the candle dripped wax or fell into the litter box, it could start a fire.
- Use a covered cat litter box to reduce the risk of anything hot or flammable, accidentally falling into the litter. You can learn more about covered litter boxes in our article Do Cats Like Covered Litter Boxes?
- Be mindful of where you store the cat litter. Keep it in a cool, dry, secure location such as a pantry, hall closet, or a cool corner of the basement. Never store it near hot water pipes, exposed electrical wires, or anything else that could cause either intense heat or sparks.
Click here to view this covered cat litter box on Amazon.
Click here to view this wood-based cat litter on Amazon.
Can Cat Litter Put Out a Fire?
If you use the right kind, yes, cat litter can put out a fire! Just make sure that you're using clay-based litter and not potentially flammable biodegradable litter. Some people use cat litter to prevent grill fires by pouring a layer on the bottom of their grill. Be sure to replace it when it becomes grease-soaked, and dispose of it in the same way you would discard any other potentially flammable item. You can also pour cat litter on the flames from small kitchen fires to bring them under control.
