Alternatives to clumping clay kitty litters

by Marina Michaels

Overview

This article is a companion piece to Clumping Clay Kitty Litters: A Deadly Convenience?, an article first published in Tiger Tribe magazine in 1995.

When I first wrote the article on clumping clay kitty litters, I felt that it would best serve people if I were to not only provide information on the potential dangers of those litters, but if I could also offer information on alternative kitty litters. Hence this article.

Natural alternatives to clumping clay kitty litters, such as plant-based litters, are available at many pet, health food, and feed stores. Plant-based litters are usually made from some combination of wheat, alfalfa, oat hulls, corn cob, peanut hulls, walnut shells, pine, or recycled newspaper.

This article includes a list of specific brands of alternative kitty litters, most of which I've tried. For those litters that I have tried, I include a discussion their advantages and disadvantages.

Important! The information on this page is provided solely for educational and informational purposes; it is not to be taken as an endorsement for any particular brand, product, or manufacturer.

Although many of the comments regarding the litters on this page date back to 1995/1996, some are more recent. In the early 2000s, I added a number of new litters and have updated the information for other litters. I also included website addresses, if I could find them.

To help you know which information is older and which is newer, I have added approximate dates for when each set of comments was last updated.

About Regular Clay

Although regular clay litters do not pose the potential health hazards that clumping clay kitty litters do, they do have their own problems:

• Mining clay is hard on the environment.
• Clay litters contribute significantly to landfills. Unlike many of the litters on this page, they cannot be composted, nor do they biodegrade.
• Most, if not all, clay litters contain silica, which is potentially harmful. From a Web page at The Andersons' Web site (manufacturers of FIELDFresh): "Crystalline Silica, once airborne, shows the ability of causing Silicosis. This can cause incurable lesions on the lungs and throat, rendering that tissue useless for transferring oxygen. Crystalline Silica is a naturally occurring element, also known as Quartz, and is found in some of the clay litters. ... According to government standards, silica is a known carcinogen and a Prop 65 material in California."

Join Cats Against Clay!

What I Recommend

I am often asked what I recommend.

If you want a non-clay, clumping, scoopable litter, here are a few choices:

• As of 2010, Feline Pine (wood-based product) now has a scoopable/clumping version; I haven't tried it yet, but I have been satisfied with their regular products in the past.
• SWheatScoop, which is made from wheat and is indeed a clumping and scoopable litter. The key difference between it and clumping clay litters is that the wheat clumps are said to fall apart when they get wet, therefore not posing the health hazard that an indissoluble clump would. This used to be a favorite until I developed a severe allergy to it.
• WonderWheat, which I have never tried but sounds as though it is the Australian equivalent of SWheatScoop.
• The World's Best Cat Litter. I hesitate to recommend this litter, for reasons listed under the product description, but it is still one of the best alternatives available and, I have heard, works in automatic cat boxes.

I have heard that there is a clay clumping litter that does not use sodium bentonite, but I have not had a chance to test it, and my concerns for kitty litters include as well as avoiding any kind of clay because of the silica present in all clays, as well as the impact on the environment, both in mining the clay and in the piling up of the litter in landfills. In addition, there are other kinds of bentonite that aren't quite as super-absorbent as sodium bentonite, but which would still cause concern if they were in a kitty litter.

If you want an excellent product that is acceptable to cats, easy on the environment, and easy on you, and you are willing to accept that they do not clump, the following litters are all quite satisfactory:

• Chick starter (chicken feed for baby chickens). You can get this at your local feed store for a very economical price. It is very similar to The World's Best Cat Litter at a fraction of the cost.
• CareFresh
• FIELDFresh
• Yesterday's News

A Warning Against Flushing Litter

Although some of my comments below mention flushing some of the plant-based cat litters, that is not a recommended practice, especially on the West Coast. The biggest concern is that toxoplasmosis is killing sea otters, and it is possible that cat litter could be one of the sources. Most of the alternative cat litters can be buried or composted, if you have a proper compost pile.

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Related Information

In addition to the information on this page, you can find the following related information on this website.

• A letters page, where you can read about the experiences others have had with clumping clay kitty litters.
• A brief description of how to switch your cat over to using a new kitty litter
• A veterinarian's article on clumping clay kitty litters
• An article on another website about litter box problems.
• Alternative Cat Boxes and toilet-training your cat. I have often received email asking about alternative cat boxes. Here is what I know. Also, there is a flushing cat box, called LitterFree, that might be of interest to some, or you may even want to investigate toilet-training your cat. In addition, on this page you will find links to sites selling furniture for holding your cat boxes in.
• Bird, Ferret, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Rabbit Alert. Unfortunately, clumping clay kitty litters and other litters are used for other animals and pose potential health hazards to them as well. This article provides additional information and a few links for specific pet information.

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The List

The following list of alternative litters is arranged alphabetically. Following this list is a simple index arranged by type of material. Remember to also take a look at the discussion of other options.

Breeder's Choice

Comments (1999)

For those in Australia who have written asking where they can find a natural alternative there, I have great news! There is now an alternative product being produced in Australia called Breeder's Choice.

To find out where to get it, call this toll-free number in Australia: 1 800 648 617, or email Don Webb (donw@onthenet.com.au).

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CareFresh, CatWorks, and EcoFresh

Absorption Corporation: www.absorbent.com/animal.html, 1051 Hilton Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, Tel: (360)734-7415 Fax: (360) 671-1588 Email: info@absorbent.com

Description

CareFresh (the rodent bedding is what I used) is a fluffy wood-based product, biodegradable, dust-free, and flushable in reasonable amounts. Also incinerable and compostable, as are most plant-based litters (but remove the feces first). The company says that it is "made from virgin wood pulp, not recycled paper."

Important! CatWorks is made of oat hulls (about 60%), wheat mits (about 30%), bentonite (10%), and zinc oxide (3%). Please avoid it. Read more at the House Rabbit Society site.

I haven't tried EcoFresh, which is made from recycled newspaper.

Comments (2001)

CareFresh is highly satisfactory from the cats' point of view. And mine too. Although it isn't great at urine control or smell control, you can flush large amounts of it. I found that I would scoop whenever I went into the bathroom, which meant that the cat box got cleaned several times a day, rather than once a day. The package claims it is naturally deodorizing, and it certainly seems to be. It also lasts and lasts—I was surprised at how long one small package lasted.

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Cat Country Organic Premium Litter for Cats

Mountain Meadows Pet, Inc., http://www.mtnmeadowspet.com, P.O. Box 778, Lewistown, MT 59457 Phone: (800) 752-8864

Description

Biodegradable. Plant-based. Dust-free. Flushable.

Comments (1996)

The pellets are too large. Cats can't do a satisfactory dig-and-bury with this product. Surprisingly, large as they are, the pellets still tend to get kicked out and (painfully) underfoot. This product is fine otherwise; naturally deodorizing and economical. Note that this litter (like all plant-based products) forms into rather large masses when wet. I find that this makes changing the cat box easier, rather than more difficult.

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Cat's Pride

Oil Dri Corporation, http://www.catspride.com. Oil-Dri Corporation of America P.O. Box 11279, Chicago, IL 60611-0279, Attn: Cat Lover's Hotline (800) 645-3741 between 9 a.m. - 4:30 pm CST catspride@oildri.com

Description

(2005) At the Oil Dri Web site, they say that this is the only national brand without sodium bentonite.

Comments (2000)

Several people have written to me recommending this litter, though I haven't tried it yet.

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CatWorks

See the CareFresh entry.

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Cedar Lite Cedarized Cat Litter

(2005) I am not sure this product is still being made. I will leave this information here for now.

Cedrus International, Riverside, CA 92504

Description

Cedar-based litter.

Comments (1996)

I didn't try this product because of concerns about cedar oils (see http://www.cavycages.com/pine.htm).

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Dr. Kenaf's Amazing Cat Litter

Dr. Kenaf's Web Site: www.kenaf.com Email: info@kenaf.com

Description

This litter is made from the kenaf plant, a native African plant that can be used to make paper substitutes as well.

Comments (1999)

I haven't tried this litter, though it sounds like an especially good choice for the environmentally conscious. From someone who used it, I heard that it is too light and fluffy.

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EcoFresh

See the CareFresh entry.

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Feline Pine and Feline Pine Scoop

Nature's Earth Products Inc.: www.felinepine.com 2200 North Florida Mango Road, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. Phone: (800) 749-PINE Fax: (561) 688-2125. Two URLs: www.felinepine.com and www.naturesearth.com

Description (updated 2010)

Feline Pine is made from wood. From their Web site: "No Odor, No Dust, No Tracking, Flushable, Biodegradable, Compostable, Earth Friendly, Recycle as Mulch, No Chemicals, No Dyes, No Fragrances."

They also now offer Feline Pine Scoop, a scoopable/clumping version.

Comments (2002/2003)

As with all pine- or wood-based litters (not counting those that are indirectly derived from wood, such as the recycled newspaper litters), I had concerns about the essential oils and the wood content. However, many people use this litter with no problems. Here is one letter of testimonial from William Caloia: "Belay your fears about oils in Feline Pine! They aren't there! Feline Pine is made from kiln-dried sawdust. All oils are removed. I have used the product since 1994. ...There simply isn't a product that is cleaner, more odor free, safer, and more economical than Feline Pine." Mr. Caloia may have a bias in that he seems to be selling the product; he has granted permission for me to tell you to feel free to write directly to him for more information.

I have used this litter several times. It comes in pellets, which gradually dissolve into sawdust as they get wet. You can scoop out the hard materials; the wet materials just seem to kind of get absorbed into the sawdust. The odor control is pretty good. My cats don't seem to like it as much as the softer litters like FieldFresh, and so I don't use it regularly, but if my local feed store is out of my current favorite litter, I buy Feline Pine.

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FIELDFresh (added June 2002)

The Andersons, Inc., P.O. Box 119, Maumee, Ohio 43537 Phone: (419) 893-5050 Email: hostmaster@andersonsinc.com

Description

This litter is made from corn cobs, but somehow manages to have a fine, soft, granular texture. The same concern about pesticides inheres for this litter as for The World's Best Cat Litter, though I feel better about this one because it doesn't clump. This litter is scoopable, flushable, and compostable, and it biodegrades, all good traits.

From the manufacturer: "6 times more absorbent than traditional clay, and up to 4 times more absorbent than clumping clay; cat owners can use only half as much FIELDfresh as they would clay. ... FIELDfresh is safe. It's virtually dust free and non-carcinogenic. It contains no artificial additives or scents. There's nothing to cause allergic reactions in cats or people. And FIELDfresh won't cement in cats' respiratory or digestive tracts the way clumping clay can. ... Cats' like FIELDfresh's soil-like texture. It's soft on paws and easy to paw and cover. Cat owners like FIELDfresh's light weight; it's easier to carry and pour. And waste liquids form soft, scoopable lumps that make cleaning easier."

Comments (June 2002, September 2005)

The cats and I really like this litter. It "digs" nicely, and seems to do a good job on odor control.

(2005) It is possible that this litter has been discontinued, even though the Web site still exists. I will look into this more, as we really like this litter.

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Glamour Kitty's Scooples (added September 2002)

(2005) Web link seems to be dead. I will leave this here in case it is just temporary.

Glamour Kitty Company, (800) WEE-CATS (800 933-2287)

Description

Glamour Kitty makes four different kinds of litter. This entry is for Scooples, a clumping, scoopable clay litter that does not rely on sodium bentonite for its clumping abilities. (It uses guar gum instead.)

From a letter from the manufacturer: "Our company size does not allow us to battle the larger national manufacturers and their war chest of monies to launch an ad campaign to say our product is more cat friendly. We can only try to inform the consumer in ways such as our label, the Internet and correspondence with concerned consumers such as yourself. As previously mentioned, we use guar gum, the same product that is used in chewing gum, as our clumping agent. Using natural clay and guar gum produces a firm clump in the litter box and can be removed the same way as other clumping litters. Because of the smaller granules used in clumping litter, it is impossible for kittens or cats not to have this product adhere to their paws or fur. It is, therefore, ingested during their normal cleaning habits. By using guar gum in our product, if ingested by kittens or cats, it will break down. Sodium bentonite which forms a hard clump in the litter box, if ingested, will remain hard and not break down after time."

Comments (September 2002)

I have not tried this litter.

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Good Mews

Stutzman Environmental Products: http://www.stutzman-environmental.com/goodmews.htm, 9205 S. Kraxberger Rd, Canby, OR 97013 Phone: (888) 877-7665 Email: goodmews@stutzman-environmental.com

Description

Directly from the company: "Though our product is scented with a water-based fragrance, the natural forest scent contains no cedar and is non-toxic. Additionally, the pellets are made from 100% recycled paper (or cellulose fiber), making them 100% biodegradable. Our Crown Animal Bedding is an unscented version of the paper pellets and is positioned as an all purpose animal bedding." I tried this litter in early 1998, and find that it was fine. Good odor control, works fine. The pellets are a bit hard under bare feet, but the cats like it very much.

Comments (1999)

The manufacturer has notified me that this product has changed since I tested it, so I have removed my older comments until I can test it again.

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Here's The Scoop!

(2005) Web link no longer leads to anything useful. I will leave this here in case it is just temporary.

Integrated Pet Foods, Inc.: www.integratedpet.com/main.cfm, 610 Jeffers Circle, Exton, PA 19341. Phone: (800) 542-4677 Email: ipf610@aol.com

Description, Comments (2002)

I haven't tried this litter. It is a clumping clay kitty litter that doesn't use sodium bentonite, the culprit in normal clumping clay kitty litters.

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Hi-Tor Dust-Free Cat Litter

(2005) I think this company is no longer making cat litter, though it looks as though they make cat food.

Triumph Pet Industries,Triumph Pet Industries, 160 Lake Station Road, Warwick, NY 10990 Phone: (914) 469-5125 and (800) 331-5144

Description

Made from recycled newspaper that has been processed and formed into pellets. Biodegradable. Dust free.

Comments (1996)

The cats liked this product. The pellet size is small enough to let them get in a good, satisfying dig, and to bury the results afterward. I liked it because it tracked far less than other litters, and because it is made from recycled newspapers. The cost is quite reasonable, since a little of this went a surprisingly long way. Deodorizing capabilities are on par with Care Fresh, for which Hi-Tor is a good alternative, depending on your preference.

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