Scientists recently found that the parasite Toxoplasmosis Gondii (TG), commonly found in cat feces, is making its way to the sea otters’ habitat and causing harm to the endangered species. If you live in a coastal community scientists urge you not to flush cat feces or used flushable cat litter down toilets or drains.
Cats are the only animals that shed TG through their feces (the same reason why pregnant women should never change the litter box). Since the egg-stage of TG is strong enough to withstand processing in sewage treatment plants, it can pose a threat to sea otters residing near freshwater outflows. Researchers in coastal communities have also called for cat owners to keep their cats indoors. Keeping cats indoors reduces the chance of spreading the disease and indoor cats are also less likely to get the disease by eating infected birds or rodents.
The story has made national news appearing in Time Magazine, the BBC News and many online forums. To help protect the sea otters California has already passed a Bill requiring all cat litter packaging include a statement discouraging flushing cat feces in toilets and drains. But it’s still not enough! We need to educate our friends and neighbors who own cats. If you would like more information visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium online. They have great information and live web cameras of the otters. The aquarium is taking donations to help fund their effort to educate the public.
On a Much Lighter Note: A co-worker sent me a link today to this great blog, Daily Kitten. I thought all you cat lovers out there would really enjoy it. Everyday at 3:07pm a new cute cat picture is posted for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
2 responses so far ↓
1 // May 16, 2007 at 11:51 am
Ahem— A small correction for the Daily Kitten Site. A new kitten is added at 3:07 UK time — That makes it 10:07 eastern daylight time in the US.
Great article about the cat litter! I never new that it can hurt other animals, although I never flush the litter away in the belief that it would clog up the pipes.
2 G. Marantz // Dec 27, 2007 at 5:48 am
There are so many other animals that carry the parasite that your statement is patently wrong. Possums, birds, rats etc. Please stop spreading falshoods.
Educate yourself first.
They want you to dispose of your cats waste in plastic bags and fill up your local landfill with untreated waste. Have you ever been to a landfill? Where big tractors with spiked treads go over all those bags and rip them open for the birds and rats and ferral cats etc. to go and munch away and carry the parasite with them.
At least putting untreated cat feces through a treatment facility with “clean” it up so it is safer for ALL living creatures, like my children.
Your site keeps track of plastic bags being used and yet you want us to use more. Hypocrite.
G. Marantz
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