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The 11 Best Cat Litter Alternatives

Are your cats and family allergic to clay and synthetic litter? Now is the time to read our recommendations for an alternative to traditional cat poop.

Did you realize that cat poop can be the cause of illness? Because of its small particle size, clay is a common source of airborne dust, which can irritate the respiratory systems of both cats and humans.

Accidental ingestion of clumps of clay particles can cause intestinal obstruction and suffocation in kittens.

One of the best options is to hunt down the best cat litter alternatives before it causes serious health problems.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) helps you find alternatives to traditional cat litter that are safe and good for your family. 

Beginner guide

Do felines prefer non-litter boxes?

Maybe! Aside from a preference for a litter that is easy on the paws, has a neutral scent, and can be dug into quickly, most cats don’t care what goes into their litter. Your cat is more likely to favor an alternative to litter if it satisfies their needs.

Can we say that there is a better option than clay litter for cats?

Yes! Alternatives to clay litter for cats are preferable to it in terms of both safety and cost. While they may not be as easy to clump and scoop as clay litter, their biodegradability and low environmental impact make them a better option.

Can you tell me how frequently I need to change the litter box for my cat?

In most cases, you should change the litter in your cat’s box once a week. To what extent this occurs is contingent on factors such as the number of cats using a single litter box and the litter used.

Is there a way to create an alternative to store-bought cat litter in the home?

Yes! DIY options for cat litter include utilizing shredded newspaper, paper scraps, animal feed, and even green tea.

It’s more cost-effective, and the components are simpler to source. Scented kitty litter isn’t the only thing that may benefit from baking soda’s deodorizing properties.

Which alternative to traditional cat litter do you recommend?

Anything composed of natural materials and safe for cats would be the ideal replacement to traditional cat litter. It ought to be easily washable, dust-free, have a high absorption rate, and neutralize odors.

World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter, Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Paper Cat Litter, Naturally Fresh Unscented Walnut Cat Litter, etc. are just a few of the goods that may be used as suitable substitutes for traditional cat litter.

These are both harmless and environmentally friendly because they are crafted from materials like maize, paper pellets, and walnut shells.

Conclusion

While most cat owners choose clay litter, others have become aware of the health risks associated with litter and have made the switch.

They are risk-free as they are biodegradable, non-toxic, and do not cause allergies or chemicals. In addition, some of them have been found to have superior agglomeration activity and high absorption capacity for the clay layer. Typically, corn lilies are products.

Walnut shells, corn kernels, wheat, pine needles, wood pellets, and shredded newspaper are just a few examples of natural materials that can be used to create an alternative to traditional cat litter.

They are thrown away or thrown away as trash. They can be used as a safe and all-natural alternative to clay tablets.

If you’re looking for a healthier option for your cat and home, check out BestForPets‘ (bestforpets.org) compiled list of the best cat litter alternatives to traditional cat litter.

Reviews

The Finest Clumping Cat Litter in the World

Corn cobs and entire corn kernels are the two main components of corn litter. When opposed to using maize kernels, using corn cobs is safer for the environment. But they aren’t as comfy, and they can be too harsh for your cat’s tender paws.

Corn pellets have strong clumping properties and a pleasant aroma that aids in masking unpleasant odors. These are often flushable and biodegradable, so they’re very easy to get rid of.

On a scale from 1 to 5, these are how we rated the litter:

  • Ratio of Clumping to Overall Performance: 4
  • Overall effectiveness in preventing odors: 4/5
  • Absorption of moisture: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Reduced Dust: 3 out of 5
  • Cleaning is a 3 out of 5
  • Degradability, 4 out of 5
  • Consensus: 4.5 stars

The World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter is a high-quality option among corn litters. It’s 99.9 percent dust-free and has a fast clumping action. These tiny grains aid in controlling odors effectively.

In sum, we recommend this option as the finest alternative litter for cats.

Pros:

  • Creates compact masses that can be easily scooped.
  • The natural aroma helps with odor prevention.

Cons:

  • Sticky pellets make the box unpleasant to empty.
  • Pellets are sticky and will cause your cat to track.

 

Odour-blocking, low-dust clumping litter made from natural wood for cats by ökocat

Cats can feel at ease knowing that wood litter is a plant-based alternative to traditional clay or sand. You may buy them in the form of pellets, sawdust, or wood shavings. You may pick from a variety of sizes and shapes to suit your feline’s tastes.

Wood pellets have a natural fragrance that cats love and are considered to be very absorbent. Both dust and dust mites are kept at bay by the pellets’ lack of a dust coating and their biodegradability.

On the other hand, when wood shavings are exposed to water, they turn into sawdust. Lack of frequent sawdust replacement might lead to a dusty environment.

Here are how we ranked:

  • Ratio of Clumping to Overall Performance: 4
  • 3 out of 5 for odor suppression
  • Wetness Absorption Rating: 3 out of 5
  • Reduced Dust: 3 out of 5
  • Cleaning is a 3 out of 5
  • Degradability, 4 out of 5
  • Standard Evaluation: 3.5 out of 5

Okocat Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter is one of the best all-natural options available in this price bracket. It creates sturdy clumps and has a dust-free purity level of 99.9%.

Modern plant-based pellets are an excellent alternative to toxic clay litter, and they also assist to effectively reduce odors. Some users have complained, however, that they have been tracked as a result.

Pros:

  • Creates strong, functional clusters
  • Provides a lot of absorption

Cons:

  • Allergies and dust can be caused by sawdust.
  • Can lead to a strewn path of trash

 

Whet Scoop Whet-Based All-Natural Cat Litter, Multi-Cat

Wheat is another fantastic alternative; it may be created from whole wheat berries that have been coarsely processed or split into finer bits. They’re great for clumping and won’t hurt your cat’s sensitive paws.

We also know that wheat has a high absorption capacity and decomposes easily. Take caution when flushing, since too much of it might clog the pipes.

It is a fantastic option for those looking for a natural alternative to traditional cat litter, and it does a fair job of masking odors.

Here are how we ranked:

  • Ratio of Clumping to Overall Performance: 4
  • Control of Odors, 2 out of 5
  • Wetness Absorption Rating: 3 out of 5
  • No Dust: 2 out of 5
  • Cleaning is a 3 out of 5
  • Degradability, 4 out of 5
  • Ratings Overall: 3 out of 5

The sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Clumping Wheat Cat Litter is one of the greatest all-natural wheat-based alternatives. It can be flushed down the toilet, the waste is easily removed, and it clumps twice as much as regular trash.

The natural alternative, which uses a proprietary noble-ion technology, is ideal for homes with many cats. Many reviewers have complained that it does not properly mask odors.

Pros:

  • An all-natural, non-hazardous replacement for clay litter
  • Displays a significant clumping effect

Cons:

  • Generates dust
  • Is ineffective as a smell suppressant.

 

Natural Scent Free Cat Litter, Multi-Cat Size, Walnut-Based, Fast-Clumping

Since walnut shells are typically discarded, walnut kitty litter is a 100% recycled product. Small particles all the way up to big granules or pellets determine the litter’s softness and texture.

The odor may be quickly absorbed by bigger particles, whereas faster clumping action can be achieved with finer particles. Most varieties of this kitty litter alternative may be flushed down the toilet without any problems.

Here are how we ranked:

  • Ratio of Clumping to Overall Performance: 4
  • 3 out of 5 for odor suppression
  • Absorption of moisture: 4 out of 5
  • Reduced Dust: 3 out of 5
  • Cleaning is a 3 out of 5
  • Degradability, 4 out of 5
  • Consensus: 4.5 stars

Naturally Fresh Unscented Walnut Cat Litter is a great option if you can’t find Walnut Litter. This mixture successfully eliminates soiled-cat odor while being completely safe for both adult and young felines.

It is dust-free, super-absorbent, flushable, and biodegradable, so the company says. It should be remembered, however, that this trash leaves behind a lot of tracked dust and allergens.

Pros:

  • Proficient clumping properties
  • Provides a lot of absorption

Cons:

  • Tracing might be caused by finer particles sticking to your cat’s paws.
  • Creates a cloud of dust while sifting or dumping the litter

 

The Purina Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter has a softer texture and is unscented

It’s common knowledge that paper kitty litter is one of the least expensive and most environmentally friendly options available.

Paper’s high absorption capacity means it quickly absorbs liquids like urine and moisture, separating solid waste and making the litter box easier to clean.

It’s a suitable replacement for wounded cats or those who have undergone declawing or operations because it doesn’t generate dust.

Its soft, smooth texture is perfect for their delicate paws. Unlike other materials, paper doesn’t generate dust and won’t get tracked all over the place. Due to its lightweight construction, it is quite convenient to handle.

The following are our evaluations of paper cat litter on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • The Action of Clumping: 2 out of 5
  • 3 out of 5 for odor suppression
  • Absorption of moisture: 4 out of 5
  • Dust-Free Rating: 3.5/5.0
  • Rating: 3.5/5 for How Simple It Is to Clean
  • Degradability, 4 out of 5
  • Consensus: 4.5 stars

Purina’s Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Paper Cat Litter is the best paper cat litter on the market. It has a higher absorption rate than clay and is 99.9% dust free. Veterinarians all around the world endorse this product.

Pros:

  • Provides a lot of absorption
  • Superior softness for the feline’s delicate paws.

Cons:

  • Does not provide sufficient odor protection
  • Extremely inconvenient to clean since it does not clump.

 

Black and Gray Feline Pine Original Cat Litter, 40 lb

Pine, like Wood Cat Litter, is made from trees. Pine or pine with additives like guar-gum is one option for the litter. The pellets are made by heating pine wood to a very high temperature and then adding sap.

These pellets are extremely gentle, yet they do not stick together. They don’t create dust, and their stickiness makes them simple to scoop. It’s lightweight and allergy-free. It’s eco-friendly since it’s biodegradable and it’s created from dead lumbar trees.

On a scale from 1 to 5, here are how we ranked pine kitty litter:

  • Collapse Rating: 1 out of 5
  • 3 out of 5 for odor suppression
  • Absorption of moisture: 4 out of 5
  • Reduced Dust: 3 out of 5
  • Cleaning is a 3 out of 5
  • Degradability, 4 out of 5
  • Ratings Overall: 3 out of 5

Feline Pine Original Unscented Cat Litter is one of the best pine cat litters since it is all-natural, has no added chemicals or perfumes, and has exceptional absorbency.

Pros:

  • The pellets are soft and mild.
  • Provides a lot of absorption

Cons:

  • Does not provide sufficient odor protection
  • Causes possible tracking by sticking to a cat’s paws.

Author Image

Dr. Barry Buttler

Dr. Barry Buttler, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is an experienced veterinarian who specializes in the care of small animals, specifically dogs. Dr. Barry K. Buttler is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and holds multiple certifications in small animal emergency medicine and geriatric pet health.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Barry Buttler

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