Cats are adored members of our families, but their ecological footprint often goes unnoticed, particularly the impact their litter can have on the environment. Traditional cat litter made from clay or silica may be the most widely available on the market, but they can have detrimental effects on both the environment and your furry friend's health.
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In this blog, we'll explore why choosing an eco-friendly cat litter is important for reducing your furry friend's carbon paw print and discuss the available natural options. Plus, we'll share how to pick the best cat litter option for you and your cat!
The most common ingredients in conventional cat litter are sodium bentonite clay and silica. These ingredients are also obtained through strip mining, where the vegetation and topsoil in the mining area are completely removed. This process damages the landscape and wildlife habitats and leads to water and air pollution, deforestation, and land erosion, making clay-based and silica crystal cat litter incredibly unsustainable and damaging to the environment.
In addition to this, studies have shown that those who live in these heavily mined areas are at a greater risk of respiratory conditions and lung cancer.
Moreover, conventional cat litter made from clay or silica tends not to be flushable and, therefore, ends up in landfills where it does not biodegrade easily. In fact, over two million tons of litter waste are channeled into landfills in the U.S. every year!
Yes! Eco-friendly cat litters are better for you and your cat's health. The silica dust produced by conventional crystal litter is known to irritate asthma sufferers and accumulate deep in the lungs, becoming incredibly difficult to expel and leading to respiratory issues. In rare cases, the dust generated from these cat litters can even cause lung cancer.
Also, clay litter made from sodium bentonite, which your cat may accidentally ingest while cleaning themselves, is known to cause intestinal blockages and other gastrointestinal issues.
So, perhaps one of the best choices we can make as pet parents for the environment and our beloved cat's health is to choose an eco-friendly, biodegradable cat litter!
Thankfully, eco-friendly cat litter options are becoming more mainstream in the USA, meaning that it is easier than ever to promote the well-being of our planet and the physical well-being of you and your pet.
Alternative litters are made from various materials, including paper, corn, soybeans, walnut shells, wheat, wood, pine, and grass&#;but which one is best for you?
To help you on your journey to sustainable living, we have compiled a list of features to look out for when shopping for eco-friendly cat litter so that you can find the best cat litter for both your feline friend and the environment.
Unlike conventional cat litter made from clay or silica, biodegradable cat litter made from organic material, such as wood or wheat, will eventually return to nature with minimal processing. The added bonus of these natural materials is that they are completely free of artificial dyes, fragrances, and man-made chemicals, making them a safer option for the environment and your cat.
Eco-friendly cat litters made from recycled paper can also be up to three times more absorbent than traditional clay litter, which means they last much longer.
By choosing natural litter, you not only save the environment from the burden of synthetic materials and machine mining, but you also save yourself some money!
An important feature to consider when shopping for eco-friendly litter is whether your cat prefers natural clumping litter or non-clumping litter. Cat litters made from natural starches clump when they come into contact with urine and, therefore, tend to be easier to scoop. They are also the better choice for homes with multiple cats as they minimize cleaning time and extend the duration of time between the dreaded full litter box cleanouts. However, many sensitive cats prefer sand-like, non-clumping cat litter as they are softer on their delicate paws and easier to dig through.
Do you have a long-haired cat? If so, the pellet size of the litter is important to consider. Litter with small pellets can stick and mat in the fur of long-haired cats, causing discomfort, skin irritation, and urinary tract infections in some cases.
It is also important to look for natural cat litter that is dust-free or produces very little dust. The clay and silica dust generated by conventional silica and clay cat litter, when cleaned or used by your cat, can get deep into the lungs and cause various health problems.
The best eco-friendly cat litters, such as paper, grass, and corn-based litter, are typically dust-free and gentle on your cat's respiratory system. However, while many natural litters are advertised as low-dust, individual products may vary, so it is always best to monitor your cat's reaction when transitioning to a new litter.
Litter tracking is where litter clings to your cat's paws and fur, and as they walk around the house, litter and cat poop fall onto the floor. Tracking is as unglamorous and unappealing as it sounds and is a common problem for cat parents. Some natural grass cat litter and litters with larger pellets made from tofu or wood are formulated specifically to be lightweight and non-adhering to avoid the issue of litter tracking.
We recommend our Washable Cat Litter Mat, made from 80% recycled plastic bottles. This cat litter rug is highly absorbent, protects your floors from tracking and loose litter, and can be cut to fit any litter box, carrier, or crate without fraying. Why not pair it with our natural hemp Cat Litter Bag Holder, which keeps your kitty litter bags neat and tidy and ready to go when you need them?
Fragrances (made from man-made chemicals) are often added to cat litter to mask the smell. However, these fragrances are made to appeal to humans, not cats! Plant-based cat litter made out of wood or pine is a great option as it gives off a faint woodsy smell that is reminiscent of being outside in nature. These natural wood fibers are also biodegradable and naturally fresh, great for keeping the nasty smell of ammonia and cat urine at bay.
Cat litters containing baking soda and activated charcoal are also great ingredients to help with natural odor control and combat bacteria growth, keeping your cat's litter box fresh and ready to use!
When making the transition from clay cat litter to natural cat litter, we recommend taking a gradual approach, as cats can find new textures and scents offputting. Start by adding small amounts of the eco-friendly cat litter to your cat's litter box, and then each time you scoop, add more of the new litter.
Before you know it, your cat will have completely transitioned to their new sustainable litter and you and your feline friend will be reaping the benefits!
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Most cats prefer fine-grained, unscented clumping litter, and you'll find both of these characteristics in a good clay formula. However, clay litter tends to create dust, which can irritate cats and humans alike. The best natural cat litter is another option. Not only are these liters nearly dust-free, but they are also biodegradable and often more sustainably sourced than clay and silica gel litters. Natural litters work well to soak up urine while minimizing odors with natural scents and fibrous composition.
For this guide, we spoke to veterinarians and cat behaviorists to find out what to look for in a natural litter. Then we tested 18 different corn, wood, grass, wheat, walnut, and tofu litters. Our top pick is Sustainably Yours Small-Grain Formula, a corn and cassava litter with a soft texture our tester cats loved. It forms hard clumps on contact and emits no detectable scent or dust. Although natural litters tend to be more pricey than clay litter, World's Best Multiple Cat Unscented Litter is an affordable, high-quality corn-based litter that clumps quickly and manages odors, even in multi-cat households.
Unfortunately, not every cat is willing to switch from their typical litter. Our experts say that cats, being creatures of habit, often prefer a familiar material over an unfamiliar one. This was somewhat evident in our testing: Two tester cats occasionally used the unfamiliar litter, while two from a different household showed little objection.
Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.
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Best overall: Sustainably Yours Small-Grain Formula - See at Chewy
Best budget: World's Best Multiple Cat Unscented Litter - See at Chewy
Best wood: Ökocat Super Soft Clumping Litter - See at Chewy
Best walnut: Naturally Fresh Quick Clumping Litter - See at Chewy
Best grass: SmartCat Clumping Grass Litter - See at Chewy
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Our cats preferred the soft texture of this corn and cassava litter, and we loved that it clumped on contact and was practically dust and odor-free.
Check price at Chewy Check price at Amazon Check price at Petco What we likeNo noticeable dust or scent
Long-lasting
Excellent clumping
Soft texture appeals to cats
Tracks
Expensive
Editor's note: Our reporter tested Sustainably Yours Multi-Cat Plus Extra Odor Control litter in December . In , the brand renamed the litter to Sustainably Yours Small-Grain Formula and redesigned its packaging. The litter formula remains the same.
After four and a half years of using World's Best Multiple Cat Unscented Litter, two of our tester cats made it clear that Sustainably Yours was their new favorite. We were initially skeptical because our cats spent the first couple of days playing in the Sustainably Yours corn and cassava-based litter before using it. But once they began using it regularly, the natural cat litter excelled in clumping, odor control, and longevity while producing the least dust of all the natural litters we tested. We also couldn't detect any scents from this fragrance-free litter.
Sustainably Yours is the softest, most sand-like substrate among the litters we tested. It's the texture cats prefer, and likely why our cats eagerly explored the litter before using it, says Rachel Geller, a certified cat behavior and retention specialist and founder of All Cats All the Time, Inc. While the fine litter can stick to toes and track outside the box, you can easily manage it with a litter mat.
Our cats love Sustainably Yours litter, and it excelled in nearly all of our tests.
Janelle Leeson/Insider
The litter's longevity more than makes up for the slight downside of tracking. It formed rock-hard clumps on contact and remained intact when we scooped it. It took one 13-pound bag to fill our large litter box to 2 inches. However, when used and scooped daily, the litter stayed fresh for well over a month in a two-cat household.
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This less pricey corn-based litter is an excellent alternative to clay and silica litter with effective clumping and odor control.
Check price at Chewy Check price at Amazon Check price at Petco What we likeMinimal litter tracking and dust
Forms solid clumps
Odor buildup over time
Natural cereal scent can be strong
When looking for eco-friendly litter that reduces your cat's ecological (and litter tracking) footprint, you often expect to pay a premium. However, World's Best Multiple Cat Unscented Litter makes the transition from clay and silica litter more affordable. It costs about 35% less per pound than our best overall natural litter, but offers excellent value.
World's Best is made of compressed corn kernels and a proprietary plant-derived ingredient for extra odor control. World's Best absorbs liquid on contact, forming solid clumps that are easy to lift out in a single piece. The corn-cereal-scented fibrous material absorbs odors easily, and sometimes we could barely detect the scent of urine. Of course, the more clumps in the box, the more it emitted a mild ammonia odor. While not soft and sandy, the litter was gentle enough not to deter our cats from using it. Litter tracking occurred at a far lower volume than we saw with lightweight litters like those made from grass and walnuts.
World's Best Multiple Cat is our top pick for an affordable, effective natural cat litter.
Shoshi Parks/Insider
A 15-pound bag lasts our two-cat household for over a month. However, during our three-week testing in a traditional litter box, we noticed an increasing ammonia odor even with regular cleaning in the final days. To maximize the litter's lifespan, we typically use it in the Whisker Litter-Robot 4, our top pick for the best self-cleaning litter boxes. While not a budget purchase, it can keep litter fresh for longer, ultimately saving money.
Read more about World's Best in our guide to the best cat litters where it's our top pick for the best multi-cat litter.
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Sustainably sourced Ökocat litter has superior odor control and a texture similar to the clay litters that many cats prefer.
Check price at Chewy Check price at Amazon Check price at Petsmart What we likeAbsorbs odors
Natural pine scent
Clumps quickly
Soft texture
Expensive
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Natural Sodium Bentonite Cat Litter.
Clumps not as solid as other natural litter types
Tracks easily
Ökocat Super Soft Clumping Litter earned the top spot among its wood litter competitors for its excellent odor control and superior clumping ability. Sourced from sustainably managed forests, its soft, lightweight granules are most similar to standard clay litter.
While our tester cats preferred to visit their favorite corn litter during our two-week testing period, they used the wood litter occasionally. When they did, the Ökocat litter absorbed liquids quickly and formed clumps that were easier to scoop than other wood litters. However, the clumps broke apart more than the corn, grain, grass, and walnut litter varieties.
Ökocat makes an excellent eco-friendly wood cat litter.
Shoshi Parks/Insider
Throughout our testing, it absorbed odors, prevented ammonia buildup, and gave off a fresh pine scent. The wood produces minimal dust, but because the litter is so lightweight, our cats easily tracked it outside of the box.
Ökocat Super Soft was the most expensive wood litter we tested, but it lasted at least as long, if not longer, than the others. The brand says the litter can last up to seven weeks with regular scooping.
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Grainy, fibrous crushed walnuts in this litter quickly absorb liquids and trap ammonia odors, emitting only a slight earthy scent.
Check price at Chewy Check price at Amazon Check price at Petco What we likeEffective clumps
Good value
Good odor control
Tracks
Slight earthy smell
Naturally Fresh Quick Clumping Litter is made from non-GMO and organic crushed walnut shells. Beyond its natural and nontoxic ingredients, this litter stands out for its affordability, good clumping abilities, and effectiveness in neutralizing odors. The texture is similar to medium-grained sand with super fine particles, which the brand says are essential for its clumping ability. These particles created a small dust cloud when we poured the litter, but the dust was barely noticeable during vigorous digging by our tester cats and when we scooped the box.
We tested Naturally Fresh Quick Clumping Litter and Multi-Cat Ultra Odor Control side-by-side in a two-cat household and found no noticeable difference. According to the brand, the multi-cat formula contains a moisture-activated probiotic that neutralizes urine and ammonia odors and minimizes the odor of cat feces, which is most useful for cats who lack burying skills. However, after conducting thorough sniff tests, we concluded the slightly cheaper Quick Clumping Litter was equally effective at minimizing odors, albeit with a slightly earthy scent. The high-fiber walnut absorbs liquid and forms clumps quickly, although clumps are prone to breaking in half or thirds.
Naturally Fresh Quick Clumping Litter is our top walnut litter pick thanks to its excellent odor control.
Janelle Leeson/Insider
Whether kicked out by the cats or tracked, the lightweight litter ended up on the floor, with its dark color only exacerbating the issue. Despite some litter being tossed from the box, one 2-inch fill lasted a month.
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SmartCat litter forms tight clumps on contact that make for fuss-free cleaning.
Check price at Chewy Check price at Amazon What we likeClumps tightly
Easy to clean
Very little dust
Natural scent masks odors
Expensive
Easily tracked out of litter box
Non-GMO sorghum grass seed gives SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter superior clumping ability. The natural fiber's high starch content absorbs liquids instantaneously, and its tight, solid clumps are easy to remove.
Because it's made from sorghum grass, the litter has a light wheat-cereal scent that helps minimize odors. The litter produced minimal dust, making it a good choice for cats or people with respiratory conditions. However, because of its light weight and small granules, our cats easily tracked it outside of the litter box, and occasionally it stuck to the fuzzy feet of one long-haired cat.
This grass cat litter is highly absorbent and easy to scoop.
Shoshi Parks/Insider
While two tester cats preferred the texture of this sandy, soft litter over the wood litter, they didn't use it consistently day after day during our three-week testing period. The other two tester cats tried to eat the litter rather than eliminate it, so we discontinued testing. Because of our limited use, we cannot say whether this kitty litter continues to control odors as it nears time to change it.
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To get the scoop on what to look for in a natural cat litter based on both human and cat preferences, we consulted with six experts, including veterinary behaviorists and certified feline behaviorists.
Not all of the cat litter types we tested made our list of recommendations, and some come with caveats you may want to consider. For instance, tofu litters were the most expensive among our contenders. However, they turned into a goopy mess when urinated in, making scooping a sticky challenge. Although a good option for some households, wheat litter is not suitable for those with wheat allergies. We also noticed that some of our tester cats were more inclined to eat wheat and grass litter rather than use it.
Here are other important factors to consider when choosing a natural cat litter:
Clumping ability: Our picks for the best natural cat litter are clumping because they simplify litter box maintenance and keep the litter fresher for longer. We also tested natural non-clumping litters and discovered that removing soiled material was challenging, which can cause some cats to avoid the litter box, create unpleasant odors, and necessitate more frequent litter changes.
Scent and odor control: A litter doesn't need to be scented to control odors. In fact, the best cat litter works by neutralizing bad smells rather than masking them with fragrance, and this is better for cats, too. "Cats have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell," says Dr. Katherine Pankratz, a veterinarian and behavioral medicine clinician at Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland Oregon. "When litter contains scent, it could be noxious and potentially aversive to cats, leading them to want to eliminate elsewhere."
To ensure effective odor trapping or neutralization, opt for litters with natural starches that form tight clumps to lock in odors effectively. For instance, Sustainability Yours uses cassava starch as a clumping agent. Some natural litters may contain baking soda to neutralize odors. Wood and walnut formulas naturally absorb liquid and neutralize odors.
Texture: Cats prefer a soft, grainy substrate most similar to sand, our experts say. Substrate that is too large or sharp could prove challenging to dig and may even be uncomfortable on your cat's paw pads.
Dust: When you're pouring and scooping litter or when your cat is digging, you want a litter that doesn't produce a large cloud of dust. Dust can irritate humans' and cats' respiratory systems, leading to coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Natural litters typically produce less dust than clay and silica litter and don't contain bentonite, a clay that can be harmful to humans when inhaled.
Price: The simplest way to compare cat litter prices is by calculating the price per pound. In our testing, we also considered the longevity of each litter, as the price per pound doesn't always correspond to the monthly cost. For example, Sustainability Yours, priced at $1.85 per pound in August , may not seem like a good value at first glance. However, we found that the litter remained fresh throughout the month, and we only replenished the litter because it was low rather than stinky.
Sustainability: "By switching to natural litters that are compostable or biodegradable, we can help our planet," says Dr. Zay Satchu, chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet. Natural litters are often made from sustainable resources, such as responsibly managed forests, upcycled food waste, and quick-growing plants. Their acquisition and disposal have a lower environmental impact than strip-mined clay litter. To ensure the natural litter you're considering is committed to eco-friendly initiatives, check their website for sustainability reports, goals, and transparency regarding their materials sourcing and processing methods.
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We tested the natural cat litters by comparing litters of the same material side by side to evaluate their absorption and clumping abilities, dustiness, scent, and texture. Then, the top two litters in each category underwent additional testing for two to four weeks to assess odor control and tracking. Below are the additional characteristics we examined for each litter.
Litter weight, shape, and softness: Our experts say cats generally prefer a soft, grainy substrate that is easy to dig. We evaluated the shape and grain size using a kitchen strainer, texture by touch, and weight by measuring an equal volume of each litter on a kitchen scale.
Dust: One of the reasons veterinarians recommend natural litters is because they tend to be lower in dust than the average clay litter, making them a good option for cats and people with respiratory issues. We observed how much dust was emitted when pouring and scooping the litter and how much stuck to the sides of the pan.
Scent: Many cats are sensitive to scent. Even natural scents like those of wood litter can make some cats avoid their litter box, says Dr. Christine Calder, a veterinary behaviorist and owner of Calder Veterinary Behavior Services. We did a careful sniff test of each litter to determine the strength of its natural scent.
Clumping ability and ease of cleaning: We compared a measured amount of each litter in matching dishes. We added 1/4 cup of water to determine how quickly and easily the liquid was absorbed and how solidly it held together in clumps. After two absorption trials, we cleaned the dishes, looking for any escaped moisture that had left clumped litter stuck to their interior.
Odor control and tracking: We tested the top litters from each category in litter boxes for two to three weeks. During twice-daily cleanings, we noted how well the litter masked odors and whether that ability changed over time. We also considered how easy it was to remove clumps and how much litter was tracked onto the floor around the litter pan. Because our tester cats were unwilling to use grass litter regularly, we could not determine how well it would control odors after weeks of use.
Cost: We compared the cost per pound of the litters. Additionally, we accounted for the longevity of the litter and the quantity needed to fill a large litter box to a preferred depth &#; 1.5 to 2 inches, as recommended by Geller.
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Natural cat litters offer several advantages. They are environmentally friendly, made from sustainable resources such as responsibly managed forests, upcycled food waste, and quick-growing plants. Additionally, these litters provide natural odor control without the intense scents found in artificially scented options, creating a more inviting environment for cats. Satchu says cats with respiratory issues may benefit from switching to a natural litter with minimal dust. She says grass litters are consistently among the most dust-free of the best natural cat litters, though we found in testing that some of the walnut, wood, and grain litters produced equally minimal dust.
When it comes to natural cat litter, all of our experts say that the best variety is whatever one your cat is willing to use consistently day in and day out. Sometimes this comes down to what variety of litter a cat was exposed to early on. "Just like people, they have different levels of tolerance based on preference and learning history," says Micah McKechnie, a behavior and training associate at East Bay SPCA.
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It can be. The best corn cat litters produce minimal dust, clump solidly, fight odors with a natural cereal scent, and are safe if accidentally or intentionally ingested by a cat. However, some corn litters have a rocky texture that may deter some cats.
The plant fibers in wood litters are highly absorbent, and their natural pine scent offers the best odor control of all the natural varieties. They are also made from sustainably sourced forests or reclaimed lumber and produce minimal dust. However, in our testing, we found that wood litters were least successful at forming tight, easy-to-remove clumps compared to their natural competitors.
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Walnut litters can be a good option for some cats and households. They are made from the fibrous, absorbent shells of walnuts. This litter is processed into a sandy grain with a satisfyingly scratchable texture, but its light weight results in frequent tracking outside the litter box. Walnut litters clump well but have less of a natural scent to control odors, meaning that ammonia may be slightly more noticeable than with wood, grain, and grass formulas.
Yes, you can. Satchu says grass cat litters are a good option for cats with respiratory issues since they have a coarse sandy texture and generate very minimal dust. Grass litters are produced from the seeds of grasses like sorghum. Although they are highly absorbent and their natural wheat-cereal scent masks odors, their lightweight grains track easily outside the litter box.
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While anything that cats can't digest can cause gastrointestinal obstructions, clumping litter is not identified as a common cause. If your cat happens to eat natural litter, as our tester cats did, see your vet to rule out underlying medical issues such as gastrointestinal disease, anemia, kidney disease, or nutritional deficiencies as well as behavioral causes. However, if they determine your cat simply has unnatural cravings, Satchu says a grain litter is a safe alternative to clay and silica.
Shoshi Parks is a contributor for Insider Reviews, where she tests and writes about products for dogs and cats. She is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT) with a decade of experience. She is the owner of Modern Hound Dog Training in California's Bay Area and a former instructor at the San Francisco SPCA. Shoshi also holds a doctorate in anthropology and writes about travel, history, and food for a variety of publications. Her work on pets and other topics has appeared at Rover, NPR, Smithsonian, Atlas Obscura, Afar, K9 of Mine, and elsewhere.
Read more Read lessJanelle Leeson is a Portland, Oregon-based contributor for Insider Reviews, where she tests and writes about products for pets. She holds a bachelor of science in biology and transitioned to freelance writing after a decade-long career in the field. Her approach to pet care writing and reporting is rooted in scientific principles which consider a pet's biological need for play, proper nutrition, and environmental enrichment. In addition to writing about animal health, behavior, and nutrition, Janelle also writes about sustainability, beauty, and fashion. Her work on pets and other topics appears at Daily Paws, Great Pet Care, Rover, Shop Today, USA Today Reviewed, Fetch by The Dodo, and elsewhere. Her work has also appeared in print in Inside Your Dog's Mind, Inside Your Cat's Mind, and Paw Print magazines. You can find Janelle on LinkedIn Twitter , and Instagram
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