What do you do when your cats are making you sick?

I am having lung inflamattion issues and I have been coughing and I've been getting really bad headaches and I think its because of my cats. Like right now I am just breathing in a ton of fresh litter from the laundry room and its making my sinuses and my head hurt. I can't rehome them because I would feel way too guilty. But like if your cats are causing viral infections and other stuff then what options do you have? Theres no other place for the cat box and theres no other room for me to move into. I do keep my door shut at night. I have been spending a lot more time at home and in my room so thats why I think its been so bad lately.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

MD, could someone else care for the litter box? That way you would not be breathing the dust. Or you can wear a cheap disposable mask while you deal with the box

As for the dust etc irritating your sinuses and lungs. You have a respiratory infection right now. You are going to be more sensitive to stuff in the air until you are better.

I doubt you got your infection from your cats
They are more likely to pick up a respiratory infection from than us from them.

If it is the litter then try changing to a litter that is made from paper. No dust there. Is there a window that you could open just a little to get some air circulating? Hope you feel better soon.

Good point possum. There are litters made from compressed wood and from cornrows. No dust from either of those.

My mom cleans the cat box. I didn't think to open my window. I'll try that and maybe see if she'll get some new litter today.

My son uses pine pellet cat litter. I'm very happily surprised that there is no dust, no urine odor and no clumping in the liter box to scrape when cleaning. It's worth the price.

It's also called pine cobble litter. He buys it on chewy or at petco and petsmart.

If you want expensive litter for yourself you should buy it not ask you mom to do it

Why do you have to be so negative and harp on me all the time? Do you know I am currently unemployed for valid reasons and can't even afford to pay rent right now and my credit cards and medical bills are sky high?

Give me a ****ing break. She's already paid for a lot this month you don't need to make me feel even more guilty.

Do you have one of the litter boxes with a lid? Those help keep the dust down. You might also hang up a curtain between the laundry room and the rest of the house - the cats can still go in and out, but the dust can't come out.

I don't have one with a lid but I can probably afford one of those myself. I've seen them at Walmart. I'll check it out. The second I got home I got hit with something and It gave me a headache. I was fine while I was out today so I'm guessing it is something in my house.

You can kind of make a lid if you have a big cardboard box to cut a hole in and a smaller litter box. I lived in a place with a forced hot air heating in the winter and didn't realize that was the cause of my headaches until I moved out.

You can try some odorless cat litter. My daughter uses some type of litter that has zero smell either clean or after cats use. I think it’s pricey but am not sure. I just know they have zero car or liter smell in their home and their house is kind of tiny. Also have a lid over litter box

You folks have some good ideas. Mountaindewed, I hope you can get this issue resolved. Would a vet have some ideas, too? Maybe you can call one for advice....

We may have figured it out. I found out just now that my mom has been using a new litter deodarent for a few weeks. About the time this has been going on. So we're wondering if I am allergic to that. She will stop using it for awhile to see if thats what the problem was.

Thats great news!

It reminds me of that Brady Bunch episode where they thought Jan was allergic to Tiger but it turned out she was actually just allergic to the flea powder.

Yep, it sure does!