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!
There&#;s nothing worse than a litter box that announces itself before you enter the room&#;an annoyance that most cat owners have, at one point or another, experienced. Bringing home a formulate that makes a total mess of your litter box and house is basically a cat owner rite of passage. While no blend is likely to make routine maintenance enjoyable, the best cat litters give off little dust and odor, so scooping and cleaning is a little less unpleasant. After testing eight popular formulas with the aid of my cat, Piper, I believe the absolute best option is Dr. Elsey&#;s Ultra. Not only is this top-rated litter reasonably priced, but it gives off very little dust, masks even the strongest smells and clumps nicely.
While litter box maintenance will probably never be your favorite chore, the best cat litters make ... [+] the necessary task a whole lot easier.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: RetailersBelow, here are all the winners from my testing process:
While not the most exciting purchase, litter is a household essential if you have a cat&#;and it&#;s not an overstatement to say that finding actually-good litter can improve the quality of your life. These days, formulas are made from a wide range of materials, including but not limited to clay, silica and plant-derived matter. While each kind has its draw, most experts recommended unscented, clumping clay litter. &#;Clay litter is the most economical, one of the most absorbent substances to use and is also easy to scoop and clean,&#; says Dr. Zach Coston, DVM, of Dutch, an online veterinary service. Beyond that, it&#;s important to find a product that controls odors and doesn&#;t make a mess of your home. Ahead, here are the most promising formulas guaranteed to please cats and their owners alike.
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Chewy
Type: Medium-grain bentonite clay | Scent: Unscented | Packaging: Bag, box | Sizes: 18, 20 or 40 pounds
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Dr. Elsey&#;s Ultra is an unscented clumping clay litter with a medium grain size, and during testing, it ticked all the boxes for what a cat litter should deliver. The formula formed solid clumps out of liquids and, after several days of use, it smelled just as fresh as when we started. My cat and testing assistant, Piper, also gave her seal of approval to this litter, switching over to it with no hesitation.
While other litters produced large dust clouds when added to the box, Dr. Elsey&#;s was practically dust-free both during its initial pour and subsequent scooping. I tested the unscented option, and true to its claim, there was no discernible smell that might bother you or your cat. Plus, after daily scooping for a week, it maintained its neutral scent, making this the best cat litter for odor control.
Piper checking out a fresh litter box filled with Dr. Elsey's Ultra.
Camryn RabideauThis litter formed solid, hard clumps that were easy to scoop out of the litter box, and while Piper did kick some litter onto the floor while she was digging around, the mess was confined to the immediate area&#;it didn&#;t get tracked all over my bathroom. (If you&#;re worried about tracking, you can always invest in a litter mat.) When we finished testing this litter, there were a few small spots where clumps had stuck to the bottom of the plastic pan, but they came right off when I rinsed out the box.
My only gripe with Dr. Elsey&#;s is its packaging. Multiple sizes (including the 40-pound version) come in a plastic bag that doesn&#;t have a handle for carrying or any way to reseal the package. When the bag is full, it&#;s quite unwieldy to lift and pour, and there&#;s no easy way to store it unless you transfer it into a different container. However, I don&#;t think the packaging is a deal-breaker. (For more details, check out my in-depth Dr. Elsey&#;s Ultra review.)
The Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.
Chewy
Type: Clay | Scent: Unscented | Packaging: Bag | Sizes: 16, 28 or 40 pounds
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If you want to learn more, please visit our website Dust Free Bentonite Cat Litter.
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If you&#;ve tried out multiple litters for your cat, you know that they don&#;t all clump the same; some masses stick to the bottom of the litter box while others break apart when you try to scoop them. Of all the litters I tested, Boxiecat Premium yielded the most solid, easy-to-scoop clumps. Its special formula comes together faster than other litters when your cat pees, which means the clumps don&#;t sink down to the bottom of the pan. While Piper would still bury her waste, meaning her messes weren&#;t right on top (like the brand claims), nothing stuck to the litter box.
The clumps don't sink to the bottom of the box, making for easy scooping.
Camryn RabideauThe litter does have a few small drawbacks. For one, it gave off a little bit of dust when I filled up the litter box, plus it tracked quite a bit, ending up all over the bathroom floor. Boxiecat is also on the more expensive side, costing close to $1 per pound. If the main quality you want in a litter is easy scooping, though, it&#;s worth the extra cost. Adding to its ease of use: While the 28-pound option comes in a plastic bag, it&#;s not difficult to pour, thanks to its smart handle. (Check out my full review of Boxiecat Premium.)
Chewy
Type: Clay micro-granules | Scent: Unscented | Packaging: Cardboard box | Sizes: 14, 19, 28, 38 or 40 pounds
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Dusty litter can be irritating for both you and your cat&#;s respiratory systems, not to mention annoying. While many of the litters I tested claimed to be dust-free, no formula lived up to this promise as thoroughly as Arm & Hammer Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter. This litter had a notably softer, finer texture than all the other clay litters, with fine micro-granules that resembled sand. Better yet, it didn&#;t create any dust when I poured it out of the box or when I scooped it. Its fine texture also makes it a top pick for cats with sensitive paws.
Piper was eager to dig her paws into the Arm and Hammer litter.
Camryn RabideauPackaged in a classic cardboard box, the container has a tab you can pull that allows you to easily remove the whole lid&#;ideal for getting the last few pieces out of the box. While its clumps tend to be on the softer side (which can occasionally break into pieces during scooping), the litter doesn&#;t stick to the sides or bottom of the box. When it comes time to replace the litter, dumping it out is truly effortless.
My biggest complaint about this litter is that it developed a slight funky odor after several days, even with regular scooping. It didn&#;t smell like pet waste, exactly&#;it was more of a musty scent. Though it didn&#;t bother me (or Piper) too much, this might not be the best option if you&#;re sensitive to smells.
Chewy
Type: Clay with activated charcoal | Scent: Unscented | Packaging: Resealable pail, jug | Sizes: 14, 20, 35 or 40 pounds
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At the end of the day, cat litter is designed to be thrown away, so it makes sense if you don&#;t want to buy the nicest kind out there&#;especially considering how regularly you need to restock. If you&#;re hoping to keep costs low, Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Litter is the best budget-friendly litter I tested. Not only did this litter carry a low price tag (around $0.55 per pound, depending on where you buy it), but it also comes in my favorite kind of packaging: a resealable jug or pail with a comfortable handle for carrying.
Among the Tidy Cats litter's best features: Its resealable packaging.
Camryn RabideauWhile its performance wasn&#;t quite on the same level as Dr. Elsey&#;s, the Tidy Cats litter earned much higher marks than the other less-expensive options I tested. It produced minimal dust when poured out, and there was only a small amount of tracking after several days of use. Plus, this litter contains activated-charcoal granules that kept it free of odors throughout the testing period. (&#;Activated charcoal helps absorb and neutralize offensive odors without creating unnecessary scents that may be off-putting to your cat,&#; says Dr. Coston.)
The main area where this litter struggled was the clumping department. Whereas other blends formed solid masses that were easy to remove, Tidy Cats&#; tended to have a softer gummy consistency that stuck to my litter scoop. Not only did I need to wipe off my scoop on occasion, but the gunk also stuck to the floor and sides of the litter pan. That said, I don&#;t consider this issue to be a deal-breaker, especially since the blend&#;s price and packaging are some of the best.
I also tested four other cat litters that didn&#;t quite make the cut.
Fresh Step Advanced Simply Unscented: Despite its claims of being 99.9% dust-free, this litter created a powdery mess in my bathroom. It did clump and manage odors well, but it didn&#;t deliver on one of its main promises.
Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter: For reasons unclear to me, Piper absolutely loved the scent of this litter (it didn&#;t smell any different than the others to me), but it was outrageously dusty. When I poured it into the litter box, it created a noticeable cloud of dust, and I actually heard Piper sneezing while she was using it.
World&#;s Best Cat Litter Original Unscented: Of the two non-clay litters I tested, I preferred this corn-based formula, which has a similar texture to clay and clumps surprisingly well. However, Piper didn&#;t like it at all&#;in fact, she went out of her way to avoid using it. Because she only used it a few times, I don&#;t feel like I can definitively weigh in on its effectiveness, but I will say that it&#;s much more expensive than your average box of litter.
Arm & Hammer Feline Pine Non-Clumping Litter: Another non-clay option, this pellet-style option claims to be effective at odor control, and to its credit, it did neutralize ammonia smells during testing. However, neither Piper nor I was a fan. The pellets disintegrated when they came in contact with liquids, and it was hard to clean out the box because the unused pellets didn&#;t fall through my scoop.
While I can say that I tested eight cat litters over the course of two months, in truth, my cat did most of the hard work. To start, I set up a secondary litter pan next to Piper&#;s usual box. Then, testing one litter at a time, I poured 3 inches&#; worth into the new litter box. During this first part of the process, I noted how easy it was to carry and pour each package, how much dust they gave off and whether she used it right away. With each new litter, I gave her a 24-hour transition period where she had access to a secondary litter box with her usual litter (just in case). With the non-clay varieties, I mixed a bit of litter attractant into the box after seeing she was hesitant to use them.
In total, I tested eight popular cat litters.
Camryn RabideauI then let Piper use each litter for five to six days, scooping out the box daily. After her dirty work, I evaluated the texture of the clumps and whether there were any unpleasant odors. I then scanned the surrounding areas, noting whether the litter tracked around the room. When the testing period for each litter was over, I emptied out the box, closely inspecting the inside to see if there was any gunk stuck to the corners or bottom; then, I washed out the box and moved on to the next litter. When all was said and done, I took each litter&#;s performance into account, along with its cost, to select the winners for this list.
There are dozens of cat litters out there, and it can be tricky to choose the right one for your cat. Here&#;s what to consider when shopping for the best cat litter.
While there are several styles of cat litter available today, clumping clay litter is the most common&#;and the kind that most experts recommend as their top choice. &#;Most cats prefer a fine-grain, unscented, clumping clay litter,&#; says LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, a feline training and behavior consultant with Feline Behavior Solutions. &#;The small grains have a sandy texture and are gentle on their paws.&#; Non-clumping litters, on the other hand, are typically only recommended for cats who can&#;t use clumping options for one reason or another; perhaps they have sensitive paws or respiratory issues, or they&#;re recovering from surgery.
If you don&#;t want a clay litter, the next best choice is silica or &#;crystal&#; litter, a newer style that actually absorbs urine, which means you only have to scoop solids. &#;Silica gel tends to be more expensive than clay litter, but it is lighter than clay and good at neutralizing odors,&#; says Dr. Coston. &#;Silica gel tends to last longer than clay litter and is easier to dispose of than clay.&#; And then, there are eco-friendly litters made from natural materials like corn, walnuts, pine shavings and paper, which are biodegradable and compostable. That said, none of the experts I spoke to recommended them. &#;While the plant- and wood-based products are more environmentally friendly, they are at risk of developing mold if the litter boxes are not cleaned thoroughly and frequently,&#; explains Dr. Coston. These types of litters also may not clump, and they&#;re generally not as effective when it comes to odor control.
Clay litter is often available in both scented and unscented forms, and while a scent might sound more appealing to you, your cat will likely prefer a non-scented option. &#;While clay litter is available in scented versions, it is recommended to use unscented litter,&#; says Dr. Coston. &#;Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so the scented litter can sometimes be overwhelming for cats. Cats are also more likely to not use the litter box if the scent of the litter is changed.&#; (Also, remember that high-quality cat litters are effective at masking bad odors.)
Cats can be particular about the texture of their litter, especially with non-clay options. Buis explains that cats are often most willing to use litter that feels similar to dirt or sand, which is what they would use in the wild. In particular, you should avoid large-grain litters if your cat has mobility problems: &#;Senior cats, declawed cats and those with mobility issues will generally have a harder time stabilizing on larger-grain litters like pellets or sharp-edged grains,&#; Buis explains. &#;These can also be painful on sensitive paws.&#; Arm & Hammer Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter is a good option for cats with sensitive paws, as it has a super-soft texture that resembles sand. You may also want to consider paper litter in these situations.
If your cat has a specific medical condition, they may need a special type of litter. In these instances, it&#;s a good idea to consult with your pet&#;s veterinarian to see what kind of litter they recommend.
&#;If your cat is prone to asthma or other respiratory diseases, silica gel may be a better choice than clay litter, since clay litter contains more dust,&#; says Dr. Coston. &#;Cats with sensitive paw pads or conditions such as plasma cell pododermatitis (pillow foot) may benefit from having a softer litter, such as a paper-based or silica gel litter.&#;
While it may seem somewhat trivial, the packaging that your cat litter comes in can make it significantly easier&#;or more frustrating&#;to use. Large plastic bags tend to be the most unwieldy to carry and pour, and extra litter is hard to store, as bags can easily be knocked over. Some products, such as Boxiecat Premium, include a handle on some of their bags for easier pouring, while others have resealable openings.
Cardboard boxes are another popular option for litter, and they&#;re generally easier to carry and pour thanks to built-in handles. These boxes can also be recycled in some communities, depending on your local recycling practices.
Finally, plastic pails or jugs are arguably the most convenient option, as they&#;re easy to carry and reseal for secure storage. Depending on the type of plastic they&#;re made from, you may be able to recycle them, as well.
For households with multiple cats, the cost of litter can get quite expensive, especially since it&#;s recommended to have multiple litter boxes (even self-cleaning litter boxes) located throughout your home. In these instances, the price of litter may be a big factor when you shop, and large containers are often the most cost-effective, offering the lowest price per pound. Another option is to sign up for a recurring delivery of litter from a retailer like Amazon or Chewy, as these services often include a discount on the retail price.
I&#;ve been a professional product tester for more than 6 years, but I&#;ve been a cat owner for much longer than that. There are only a few years of my life when I didn&#;t live with at least one cat&#;mostly during my college years&#;so I&#;m intimately familiar with the importance of finding an effective yet affordable litter.
However, I didn&#;t rely on my experience alone while researching and testing cat litters. I also spoke with several cat experts, including Dr. Zach Coston, DVM, of Dutch; LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, of Feline Behavior Solutions; and Stephen Quandt, CFTBS, of Cat Behavior Help. I even chatted with a plumber&#;Thomas Dougherty, vice president of operations of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing&#;for insights on proper disposal of cat litter.
Unscented clumping cat litter is recommended for most people, as it makes the litter box infinitely easier to clean. When your cat pees, the litter forms a solid clump, which can then be scooped out along with solids. If you&#;re going to go with a non-clumping litter, silica gel is the best for odor control and easy cleaning; because the material absorbs liquids, you only have to scoop solid waste on a daily basis.
Other non-clumping litters, such as pine pellets or paper litters, are harder to clean, as you generally can&#;t use a traditional litter scooper. Plus, because waste isn&#;t confined to tight balls, there&#;s a greater chance you&#;ll miss some while cleaning, which can lead to odors.
First, it&#;s important to note that most cat litters aren&#;t overwhelmingly stinky on their own. Instead, it&#;s cat urine&#;which is high in the substance urea&#;that has a strong, distinct smell. And when urea comes into contact with bacteria in the litter box, it generates ammonia. If you&#;re worried about odor control, your best bet is to use an unscented clay litter. Keep in mind that products labeled as &#;multi-cat&#; are often more effective at eliminating smells, thanks to a greater concentration of odor-neutralizing ingredients. Dr. Coston also recommends products with activated charcoal, which is an effective natural option for neutralizing smells.
Some litters, such as World&#;s Best Cat Litter Original Unscented, are marketed as being &#;flushable.&#; While it&#;s a tempting way to streamline litter box maintenance, it&#;s never a good idea to flush non-waste substances down your home&#;s plumbing. &#;Biodegradable litters are better for the planet but can still pose a risk to your home&#;s plumbing system,&#; says Dougherty.
&#;Pipes, both new and old, can struggle to process the litter load, and toilets that are designed to use less water can cause system backups when attempting to flush any kind of litter,&#; he explains. &#;Additionally, septic tank systems are not designed to accept and break down the materials in cat litter.&#;
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