Cats are a lot like humans, in that they prefer to go potty in private. And as cat owners, we want to give our feline friends the best possible chance at living happy and healthy lives. This includes providing them with a safe place to relieve themselves. But unlike humans, cats can’t flush their waste down the toilet. That leaves us with one option: litter boxes! Nowadays there are many eco-friendly cat litter options, but which ones are truly best for Mother Earth? We’ve rounded up nine of our favourite eco-friendly cat litter on the market today so you don’t have to do all that research yourself!
Why Cats Need A Litter Box
If you’re wondering why cats need litter boxes in the first place, it’s all about the cat. Cats are naturally clean animals with a strong sense of smell, helping them avoid places contaminated by waste products. Since cats don’t like to have their paws near their waste, they’ll usually use any available corner of your home as a bathroom if there isn’t a good litter box nearby. This means you may find yourself stepping in kitty poop more often than you might like!
If you’re thinking about switching up your kitty’s current brand of litter, look for one with an absorbent texture that won’t stick to their paws or fur while they’re digging around in it. This will help prevent tracking (another reason why regular cleaning is so important). Some brands also claim to protect against odours better than others—check out our list below for some great options!
6 Good Reasons To Switch To Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
It’s healthier for your cat.
Besides being more environmentally friendly, eco-friendly cat litters are also healthier for your cat.
Because of the chemicals in the traditional litter, cats are more likely to get respiratory diseases like asthma. They can even develop cancer from the dust particles that come from this type of litter.
It’s less work for you.
Isn’t it nice to know that your cat doesn’t need to change the litter box as often? Because clumping clay litter is made with silica gel, it will absorb moisture and clump around your cat’s waste. This means that you can change out their litter box less frequently than if they were using non-clumping clay.
It also helps that eco-friendly kitty litter has a lower tracking rate compared to traditional scented litter. There is less of a chance that little bits of dirt will follow your feline friend around the house—and onto you!
It’s better for the environment.
Of course, it’s not just about the cats. It’s about you and your house too. Many types of cat litter are made from clay. Clay requires a lot of mining and processing to turn into litter. Plus, when you consider all the resources used in packaging and distribution, conventional clay litter has an even bigger carbon footprint than many types of eco-friendly cat litter.
Eco-friendly cat litter is made from recycled paper fibres or recycled wood pulp products. These materials are processed without using additional natural resources like water or energy. Plus, they don’t create any waste during production either!
It’s good for the people who mine conventional litter.
This is good for the people who mine conventional litter, too. Mining is a dangerous and unhealthy industry, often resulting in pollution and deforestation. If you use eco-friendly cat litter, you can feel good about not contributing to these problems by choosing a safer option.
You’ll save money in the long run.
There are a lot of other costs associated with cat ownership, too. If you’re an avid litter box scooper, then having an efficient and easy-to-clean system is key. Plus, as an eco-friendly choice, biodegradable cat litter can also save you money by cutting down on waste disposal costs. This means your next visit to the vet won’t leave your wallet empty either!
You’ll help reduce waste from landfills and incinerators.
If you’re concerned about the environment, switching to eco-friendly cat litter is a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint.
- Landfills and incinerators produce harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs), which contribute to climate change. Many landfills are also sources of water pollution, as they leak into underground water supplies and waterways.
- An incinerator can release toxic chemicals into the air if it’s not operating properly and safely. Even when it is, there’s still a risk that these chemicals will find their way into the air in some way or another!
9 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litter Brands
Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
Naturally Fresh Cat Litter is made from corn and wheat, which makes it highly biodegradable. It’s safe for the environment and your cat. It contains no chemicals or additives, so you won’t have to worry about harmful chemicals being released into the air. This natural litter comes in clumping or non-clumping varieties—your choice!
The Naturally Fresh brand is known for its odour control capabilities. This means you don’t have to constantly monitor that unpleasant smell coming from your kitty’s poop chamber (sorry). Since it’s dust-free, this product is great for people who suffer from allergies!
sWheat Scoop Wheat-Based Natural Cat Litter
Made from 100% natural wheat, this litter is eco-friendly and biodegradable. It’s also naturally absorbent and clumps to help reduce odour. It can be flushed down the toilet if you have a septic tank for easy disposal. This product is made in the USA and comes in multiple sizes ranging from 25 pounds up to 50 pounds of product, so there’s something for everyone!
ETICAT Natural Cat Litter
ETICAT Natural Cat Litter is made from wheat, corn, and rice. It’s made in the USA and has a natural odour control system. One bag of this litter clumps well, so you can clean up after your cat more easily.
The company claims that the litter won’t cause any allergic reactions for either you or your cat. It’s also said to be good for cats with urinary tract infections. It helps reduce crystal formation in the bladder (crystals can cause infection).
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter
SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter is an eco-friendly option that provides excellent odour control and has a clumping action that makes clean-up quick and easy.
Made from corn, SmartCat litter is a biodegradable option that’s safe for septic systems. It’s also good for both indoor and outdoor cats. Since it won’t track through your house or make your yard filthy with litter bits. This litter is perfect for homes with multiple cats or those who are away from home during the work week.
FUKUMARU Tofu Cat Litter
FUKUMARU Tofu Cat Litter is a new product that’s made from soybeans. It has a similar texture to clay-based litter but absorbs odours more effectively than any other kind of litter on the market.
It works by absorbing moisture, which helps eliminate foul smells and keeps urine from pooling in the bottom of your cat’s box. The only downside is that you have to change it out more frequently than clay-based or corn cob varieties. This is because it’s lightweight, but this isn’t much of an inconvenience considering how easy it is to scoop out!
The main benefit of tofu cat litter is its superior ability at odour control compared to other types of kitty litter. If you have a cat multiple cats that produce lots of waste, this type may be right for you!
Nature’s Miracle Premium Clumping Corn Cob Litter
Nature’s Miracle Premium Clumping Corn Cob Litter is made from 100% natural corn cobs. It’s a good choice for cats with sensitive paws and respiratory problems. It’s also preferred over other types of litter.
Corn cob litter is biodegradable, safe for kittens and cats of all ages and naturally absorbs moisture. You don’t have to worry about its smell around the house.
Nature’s Miracle also offers a lightweight formula that weighs half as much as traditional clay litters (11 pounds). This makes it easy to change out the entire box in one go without carrying heavy bags filled up with loose-laying granules. Fewer trips mean less work!
Fresh News Recycled Paper Litter
Fresh News Recycled Paper Litter is made from recycled paper, which makes it biodegradable. This means that while you may have to replace your cat’s litter box more frequently than a clay-based one, at least you’re doing so in an eco-friendly way. It also has an excellent odour control system and can absorb up to three times its weight in liquid. This is good news for anyone who has ever cleaned up after their feline friend. In addition to being great for the environment, this brand is also good for your cat. It’s lightweight and soft on its paws, perfect for sensitive kitty feet (or paws).
HempAlta Pets Premium Organic Hemp Cat Litter
HempAlta Pets Premium Organic Hemp Cat Litter is made from recycled paper and is free of chemicals and additives. It’s the litter for cats that are sensitive to harmful chemicals and scents, so it can be used by both adults and kittens alike.
The litter is scented with natural essential oils to mask odours. This means you don’t need to worry about overpowering perfumes or artificial fragrances. The litter line has a variety of different scents, including unscented, lavender/orange, rosemary mint, and green tea/lavender.
The product is 100% biodegradable and compostable. It does not contain glues/resins so it won’t stick to your cat’s paws when they walk across the tray.
Oxbow Animal Health Eco-Straw Litter
Oxbow Animal Health Eco-Straw Litter is a cat litter that’s made from renewable materials, including straw, corn, and wheat. It’s biodegradable and compostable, which means you can dispose of your waste like other organic products (like food scraps).
What’s so great about this eco-friendly option? Well, it has all the benefits of traditional clay litter without any toxic chemicals or fragrances. The Eco-Straw formula contains no harmful ingredients—it even passes the stringent guidelines set by the USDA for human consumption.
Eco-Straw is safe for cats and humans alike, but if you’re worried about any potential health risks with your pet taking care of their business in this type of litter box, there are some precautions worth considering:
- Wash hands after handling or cleaning up after pets (this includes yourself!)
- Avoid contact with eyes or face while handling or cleaning up after pets (again: yourself)
- Only use in areas where kids have been cleared out completely (or at least kept away)
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get unscented eco-friendly cat litter. It’s the best option to go with. Unfortunately, a lot of people are still unaware that unscented is the way to go when it comes to picking out eco-friendly cat litter.
As you navigate your way through the wide world of cat litter, you should be aware that some eco-friendly brands last longer than others. While each litter will have its own set of instructions on how long it lasts, it’s also helpful to read reviews online for more information about how long a given product lasts.
A common question that people ask is whether they can flush the eco-friendly cat litter down their toilet. The answer is yes, you can!
The reason why so many people are confused about this is that most regular clay litters are not biodegradable, which means they will not break down in water or soil. This makes them difficult to dispose of in landfills and harmful to the environment because it takes an extremely long amount of time for them to decompose without breaking down into smaller particles (and even then it still isn’t safe).
Conclusion
If you have a cat, switching to eco-friendly litter is an easy way to make a big impact on the environment. It’s also better for your cat, your budget, and your health. The best part? You don’t have to give up any of the convenience or freshness that comes with using a kitty litter box!
Want to keep your house all-day fragrant? Check out these eco-friendly air fresheners that are a great alternative to traditional fragrances.