Need A Cat Dust Bath Diy

catpat1230

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
Messages
17
Purraise
22
My male cat likes to roll in the litter box, he's been doing this for years. He'll get filthy rolling in dirt outside too.
I know why they do this to clean mites and fleas etc.
I can't stop him from rolling in the litter box even though he's usually very clean. I use clumping litter and don't want him licking that gluey stuff when he grooms. Plus maybe bacteria from the litter, and don't want him in my bed like that and I try to always get fragrance-free litter but sometimes they're out, so that's another thing I don't want him licking is fragrance.

Can I just use chinchilla type dust bath? I plan to get a second new litter box and put the dust batch stuff in it and put him in it and rub it on him until he learns this is the bath bin and not to use it as litter and vice versa.


I found this Bio-Groom Pro White Grooming Powder 2.5 lbs the box says on it for Cats And Dogs.
Bio-Groom Pro White Grooming Powder

You & Me Small Animal Bath Dust brand says 'for small animals like gerbils, degus, hamsters.
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...MIu6Pd74-e4AIViIzICh3nSgDLEAQYAyABEgKbSPD_BwE

My cat is mid-length hair, not short or long, not sure if that matters but they do have a Smooth and Harsh (fine/rougher) blend options for the Bio-Groom. I'm thinking something in between and not super fine dust like for chinchillas.

What about Food-Grade diatomaceous earth? Should I mix that in or just use straight food grade diatomaceous earth? Maybe I can add in sand but I would have to make sure it's natural and not potash in it or anything sketchy like that possibly in bagged sandbox sand, maybe just take some sand from the woods or something.
thanks.
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,270
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
Hi!
The only thing I'm familiar with at all here is the (food grade) diatomaceous earth, which I believe is quite dusty so that might be an issue, although adding sand to it, or even just using the sand alone might work …?
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,429
Purraise
33,188
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
I have never heard before of that behavior with the litter box - but I am sure other members have!! Do you treat for fleas/etc? I take he is allowed to go outside, so he may be picking up bugs/mites/fleas/etc. outside that causes him to do this, as you suggested. I see squirrels in my yard rolling around in the sand, and I am pretty sure it is because of ants/bugs/fleas/what-not.

What about a box right outside the door he enters into the house from, instead of near his litter box - using one of the products you mentioned above? You could attempt to 'train' him to use it before he comes inside?? That can't be any harder to do than giving him another box inside for his rolling business.
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,270
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
Would tractor supply have something regarding sand that has no additives? Reading the description, I like both of the over the counter products but the small animal dust bath sounds pretty much perfect. However, it's all up to your cat :)
 

tarasgirl06

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
24,708
Purraise
64,891
Location
Glendale, CATifornia
My male cat likes to roll in the litter box, he's been doing this for years. He'll get filthy rolling in dirt outside too.
I know why they do this to clean mites and fleas etc.
I can't stop him from rolling in the litter box even though he's usually very clean. I use clumping litter and don't want him licking that gluey stuff when he grooms. Plus maybe bacteria from the litter, and don't want him in my bed like that and I try to always get fragrance-free litter but sometimes they're out, so that's another thing I don't want him licking is fragrance.

Can I just use chinchilla type dust bath? I plan to get a second new litter box and put the dust batch stuff in it and put him in it and rub it on him until he learns this is the bath bin and not to use it as litter and vice versa.


I found this Bio-Groom Pro White Grooming Powder 2.5 lbs the box says on it for Cats And Dogs.
Bio-Groom Pro White Grooming Powder

You & Me Small Animal Bath Dust brand says 'for small animals like gerbils, degus, hamsters.
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/you-and-me-small-animal-bath-dust-2493371?cm_mmc=PLA-GG-_-PTC_P_SUP_PLA-GG_FY18_SCShopping-Private Label-_-61469349532-_-A&kpid=go_1426171603_61469349532_274415551816_pla-559487297734_c&scid=scplp2493371&sc_intid=2493371&utm_config=tad0iunwp&utm_campaign=PTC_P_SUP_PLA-GG_FY18_SCShopping-Private Label&utm_source=google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu6Pd74-e4AIViIzICh3nSgDLEAQYAyABEgKbSPD_BwE

My cat is mid-length hair, not short or long, not sure if that matters but they do have a Smooth and Harsh (fine/rougher) blend options for the Bio-Groom. I'm thinking something in between and not super fine dust like for chinchillas.

What about Food-Grade diatomaceous earth? Should I mix that in or just use straight food grade diatomaceous earth? Maybe I can add in sand but I would have to make sure it's natural and not potash in it or anything sketchy like that possibly in bagged sandbox sand, maybe just take some sand from the woods or something.
thanks.
Hello, C catpat1230 and pal, and welcome to TCS! I have never heard of this behavior either, but I looked at the Bio-Groom powder and from what it says, it sounds safe. Sand would be even better, IMHO, because there is no dust associated with it so hopefully no residue.

Another thing that occurs to me is that my male cat likes to roll on the carpet. He never rolls in the litterbox. But he really seems to enjoy rolling on the carpet. Do you have carpet, or at least a rug that you might offer him? He might like that.
 
Last edited:

amethyst

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
948
Purraise
2,850
Location
Alberta, Canada
I would definitely not use chinchilla dust, it will cause respiratory issues. It gets very sticky when wet so would stick to the lining of the cat's lungs. Chinchillas and other rodents have the ability to seal their noses while bathing, like they would while digging and burrowing in the wild. Also, having chinchillas myself, I can tell you that dust literally gets everywhere, it creates big clouds of dust and anywhere the animal that uses it goes is going to have sparkly dust. My chinchillas bath inside a glass candy jar to help contain the dust as they bathe, but even then it's all over the room. Also even chinchillas shouldn't have access to it 24/7, more like 5-10 minutes a couple times a week, otherwise it can cause respiratory issues and dry skin.

Although cats might roll in dirt to get rid of parasites, they also naturally roll in dirt and sand to hide their scent for hunting and has nothing to do with actually bathing. Think of it like a human hunter rubbing mud on their clothing and maybe even deer pee too before a hunt. My cats don't have fleas or mites, and yet the first thing most of them do when they go outside is roll in the dirt of the driveway (luckily they don't roll in the litter box). You could try offering him some sand, the only problem might be that he might just see it as another litter box. If you use the grooming powder, it's designed to be sprinkled on then brushed out not left in the fur. So I guess that could work so long as you brush him as soon as he finishes rolling in it. However I don't think it's for everyday use though (it doesn't say), since it absorbs oils and moisture I would be worried it would cause dry skin issues if used everyday.

My only other thought is maybe try switching to a pellet litter? That way he can't really roll in it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

catpat1230

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
Messages
17
Purraise
22
good points thanks,
I agree extremely fine chinchilla dust seemed too dusty. And I think I read some of these powders are meant to absorb oil etc, so anything breathed in would have that affect as opposed to plain sand. edit, yea you explained it perfectly.

I can email bagged play sand companies and see if they have anything pure. I could get a shovel of sand outside too but rather have something clean, no soil, no whatevers.

Maybe a mixture of Sand and Food-Grade diatomaceous earth.
Didn't realize the Bio Groom is meant to be brushed off, and no I can't keep up with brushing since I'll have to leave this rolling box out all the time.

BTW no fleas, good question, I don't even let him out anymore since I read the news there was a rabid racoon found only about .6 miles away. He never had fleas and I don't put any flea prevention on him that he'd want to rub off - if he gets fleas I'll flea bath him.
He rolls in soil too as did at least one of my previous cats I think. Even though I use organic fertilizer, this is another reason I can't let him out when it's warmer since he'll roll in the garden.


I did google this about the rolling in litter since he was the 1st of about 6 cats we've had to do this. It's sort of common. I just realized why don't I give him a separate NON LITTER bin to roll around in? I will teach him by rubbing the stuff on him. And if he rolls in the litter box, maybe he'll get a bath. He hates baths lol.
thank you
 

Stinky15

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
1,099
Purraise
939
Location
East TX
good points thanks,
I agree extremely fine chinchilla dust seemed too dusty. And I think I read some of these powders are meant to absorb oil etc, so anything breathed in would have that affect as opposed to plain sand. edit, yea you explained it perfectly.

I can email bagged play sand companies and see if they have anything pure. I could get a shovel of sand outside too but rather have something clean, no soil, no whatevers.

Maybe a mixture of Sand and Food-Grade diatomaceous earth.
Didn't realize the Bio Groom is meant to be brushed off, and no I can't keep up with brushing since I'll have to leave this rolling box out all the time.

BTW no fleas, good question, I don't even let him out anymore since I read the news there was a rabid racoon found only about .6 miles away. He never had fleas and I don't put any flea prevention on him that he'd want to rub off - if he gets fleas I'll flea bath him.
He rolls in soil too as did at least one of my previous cats I think. Even though I use organic fertilizer, this is another reason I can't let him out when it's warmer since he'll roll in the garden.


I did google this about the rolling in litter since he was the 1st of about 6 cats we've had to do this. It's sort of common. I just realized why don't I give him a separate NON LITTER bin to roll around in? I will teach him by rubbing the stuff on him. And if he rolls in the litter box, maybe he'll get a bath. He hates baths lol.
thank you
I don't think you want to use the D.E. for him to roll in. It is very dusty and probably not good for your cat to breathe while rolling in it.
 

jen

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
8,501
Purraise
3,009
Location
Hudson, OH
I don't think you want to use the D.E. for him to roll in. It is very dusty and probably not good for your cat to breathe while rolling in it.
I agree. It is ironic that you can take it as a suppliment and give it to your cats in their food to control parasites but breathing it in is such a no no. Anyway, I have never heard of a cat rolling in the dirt so much. Are you SUUUUURRREEE he doesn't have even a single flea? I can imagine one quick little flea or two crawling across his body and he feels it and rolls around to get rid of it. You said that is why they do it after all. I would do a couple rounds of flea prevention (from the vet, not the OTC crap from the grocery store) and see if he stops rolling as much.
 

sabrinah

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
When my cat was allowed outside rolling in the dirt was her favorite thing to do! She never brought the habit into her litterbox though.

Tractor supply has black diamond blasting sand. It's pure enough to be used commonly in aquariums (I currently have it in 3), so I'm sure it's pure enough for a cat to roll in. It does have a tiny bit of dust in it that I don't think would be a huge problem with a cat but it's easy enough to rinse clean if you prefer to. It's also super cheap!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

catpat1230

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
Messages
17
Purraise
22
yes agreed no diatomaceous earth. I will look into that though for any benefits it has.

I'm 99.9% sure he doesn't have flees. He also looks like he's rolling for pleasure or instinct like scenting mentioned.
I'm not doing flea treatment since I haven't been letting him out especially. yea Some of the store-brand stuff is toxic has killed dogs and stuff, I do keep on hand though some natural peppermint oil or something it says, would use that if taking cat on a leash walk,diatomaceous earth supposedly also works for fleas. Or just a plain non-flea bath after maybe helps.

but then I would keep a close eye in case any fleas form. took a previous cat in the woods on a leash and it got fleas but 1 flea bath cured it.


Sakrete and Quikrete brands at home depot/lowes DO have sand that says it's sanitized and ok for cat litter right in the description but I will still double check with them to make sure I get the right UPC since titles etc can be confused with those products. Don't want possible Fly Ash (not potash I said before)

Pure sand I don't think would be a great feel or idea for some reason. I'll mix in something like cedar bedding flakes though.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

catpat1230

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
Messages
17
Purraise
22
and just wanted to note since I can't edit for some reason it seems, that in case this helps anyone else, I'm getting him a larger-than-litter box sized bin for rolling since he really likes to stretch out when rolling sometimes and want him to prefer and therefore learn to use the larger bin instead of the litter box, maybe switch it to a smaller bin later if needed. Might have to get a large storage bin and cut away the height so it's more of a tray, or something like a concrete mixing tub. That's another thing that the sand (and maybe even just cedar flakes) will chip away the plastic and eventually be licked when grooming but I think it should be fine.
 

tarasgirl06

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
24,708
Purraise
64,891
Location
Glendale, CATifornia
and just wanted to note since I can't edit for some reason it seems, that in case this helps anyone else, I'm getting him a larger-than-litter box sized bin for rolling since he really likes to stretch out when rolling sometimes and want him to prefer and therefore learn to use the larger bin instead of the litter box, maybe switch it to a smaller bin later if needed. Might have to get a large storage bin and cut away the height so it's more of a tray, or something like a concrete mixing tub. That's another thing that the sand (and maybe even just cedar flakes) will chip away the plastic and eventually be licked when grooming but I think it should be fine.
Not sure about cedar flakes, because pine is not advisable due its having some degree of toxicity according to some things I've read.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

catpat1230

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
Messages
17
Purraise
22
^ oh great more things to complicate this. True, pine is quite oily and maybe it's bad for cats. I would think though if hamster ok to basically ingest cedar then a cat would be ok too. Will look into this.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

catpat1230

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
Messages
17
Purraise
22
there are also paper beddings which maybe can be mixed with sand or omit the sand. Such as
Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding, it boasts about how safe and clean it is so I think this would be ok too but yes some Pines are toxic to cats and some cedar types but it sounds like the wood species used for gerbils etc would be safe for cats too. Can always just check with company such as that Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding paper type product.
 

tarasgirl06

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
24,708
Purraise
64,891
Location
Glendale, CATifornia
Different species have different toxic reactions. For instance, aspirin and/or Tylenol are okay for some humans but definitely not for cats. Just because a substance is safe for one species does not mean it will be safe for cats. Personally, I would steer clear of tree derivatives.
 

amethyst

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
948
Purraise
2,850
Location
Alberta, Canada
^ oh great more things to complicate this. True, pine is quite oily and maybe it's bad for cats. I would think though if hamster ok to basically ingest cedar then a cat would be ok too. Will look into this.
Cedar is not safe for any animal to ingest, not even hamsters, it's poisonous and causes liver and lung issues. That's why cedar is so good as dog bed filling and house siding, it kills and repels bugs and mice. Kiln dried pine is not as bad, but still can cause respiratory issues if the dust is inhaled.
 

8kitties

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
May 4, 2018
Messages
242
Purraise
322
Location
Southeastern US
Maybe some clean dry sand? Like they sell for sand boxes?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sakrete-50-lb-Play-Sand-Sand/3055675

Our outdoor cats roll in the dirt all the time. They seem to like getting COMPLETELY covered in dirt. They only do it if if the dirt/sand is dry and it is nice weather outside. I always thought it was just normal cat playing.

I do think it may be difficult keeping him from using it as a litter box too though.
 

Suru

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
246
Purraise
311
I just wanted to say, the first thing my cat does when I open the front door is to go and roll in the dry dirt under the awning! And then I have to dust him off before I let him on my car... glad to know he's not the only one!
 
Top