The green pet litter community has recently become aware of a serious health threat to sea otters living off the coast of California, caused by improper disposal of cat waste. As a community rooted in the mission of pet health and environmental responsibility, we feel we need to help educate the public.
Most domestic cats carry a parasite called Toxoplasmosis Gondii (TG). Traditionally, TG has only been a concern for pregnant women handling the litter box. TG has no effect on other family members, including cats, dogs or other pets. However, research has found that TG is making its way to our oceans by way of toilets and storm drains.
TG can survive the sewage treatment process and flow freely into the ocean along with otherwise clean treated water. Shockingly, TG is to blame for nearly 20% of all sea otter deaths today. The State of California has already passed a law requiring citizens to properly dispose of cat feces in the trash, with hefty fines for non-compliance. Pressure is being applied to other coastal communities, both east and west, to do the same.
Tags: cancer, cat litter dangers, coastal regions, coastal waste, crinklepaw, dead zones, eco-friendly pet products, flushable pet litter, green, green pet products, gulf of mexico, indoor pets, litter boxes, litter sheets, pets, sea otters, silica
