Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litter Alternatives

Clay, also called sodium bentonite, is a well-known constituent used to make old-style cat litters. Cat litter with clay is widely accessible and fairly cheap based on the company. Old-style clay litter fascinates liquids like cat urine and gets solid with time. When it becomes solid, it cannot grasp any additional fluid and frequently leads to smell.

Acquire the scoop on biodegradable cat litter alternatives that won’t disturb your currency while keeping your adored cat happy. Once we talk about sustainable replacements with outstanding odor-control and spongy features, the feline’s out of the bag.

This kind of litter is not eco-friendly, nor is it worth it for the atmosphere. One must often alter clay litter as a resource for fighting smells. As cats age, they can try to ingest non-food pieces.

Consuming clay cat litter can lead to thirst, diarrhea, airway hindrances, and can be deadly for your cat. The cure for bentonite toxicities can be expensive and frightening as a cat owner.

The majority of cat holders are unaware of the excess of choices accessible to them. I provided a list that breaks the best cat litter alternatives to help you select a litter that is ideal for your cat.

Table of Contents

1. Paper Litter

Paper is a prevalent type of natural litter as businesses make it from reprocessed materials. It is perfect for cats that have experienced surgery because the pellets will not damage sutures. Pellets create almost no dust, which is useful for cats with eye, breathing, or urinary tract disorders. Zero dust makes no tracking.

Additionally, it is important to remember that some felines may want time to adjust to the pellets because they are unaware of them. Pellets do not clomp and clay, which can be washing trouble for cat owners.

The deficiency of clumping can create an odor based upon the natural aroma of your feline’s urine. Paper litter is usually not flushable, but check the company’s website before discarding it.

Pros

Prepared from reprocessed materials
Perfect for cats that have experienced surgery or with an infection
Generates almost no dust

Cons

The majority are non-flushable
Should change litter frequently to avoid fragrance
It can take time for your feline to get adjusted to the pellets.

It costs around $20 aimed at a 26.4-pound container. This cost is in the usual range for this litter.

2. Corn Litter

World's Best Cat Litter made of 100% natural whole kennel corn.

Corn litter is a kind of litter usually prepared with 100% organic whole-kernel corn. Its pellets are generally great, making them a harmless option for kittens. The corn’s consistency is not as comfy as additional natural resources when in contradiction of your feline’s paws.

Some felines may reject to utilize their litter pan because of the texture only. Corn litter makes tight clomps perfect for both cat owners and felines because it is not disordered. The tight knots result in fewer food stuck to the edges and end of the litter container.

The litter itself whiffs diverse than old-style litter because it utilizes corn as compared to clay. Numerous owners do not love this odor, whereas others desire it over their traditional litter. Corn litter creates dust; thus, it may not be the ideal option for cats with asthma.

Furthermore, most corn-based litters are flushable, regardless of not listing this issue on the carrier. It is good to check the company’s website before reddening litter down the lavatory.

Pros

Prepared with 100% organic whole-kernel corn
Perfect for kittens
Generates tight clumps
flushable

Cons

Uncomfortable feel on a feline’s paws
The majority of pet owners do not wish for the odor of the litter
Creates dust; thus, it is not perfect for cats with asthma

This litter is a beloved cat litter that comes in a range of dimensions and recipes. This specific litter charges around $25 intended for a 28-pound container, the normal cost of most corn-based feline litters.

3. Coconut Cat Litter

CatSpot organic cat litter made of 100% coconut.

Coconut cat litter is prepared exclusively from coconut shells. This option does not have any damaging chemicals or allergens; thus, it is hypoallergenic. Primarily, the coconut recipe does not create smell because it is odor-free. The litter is good, which causes tracking dirt. Over time, it creates odor because the particles are also fine to the cluster.

Contrasting other litters, this litter is not reusable in flower couches, the lawn, or even a manure basket. This cat litter makes no waste and does not add to landfills.

Pros

Prepared with coconut shells
Has no substances or allergens
Primarily, scent-free
Generates zero waste because it is not reusable in flower beds, lawns, and manure bins

Cons

Tracks soils easily
Creates an aroma over time

This coconut Litter is a viable coconut cat litter that has no harmful substances or allergens. It costs around $15-$18, and it claims to contain the capacity of a 20-pound container of old-style clay litter. Even though this cost is high for each pound compared to additional natural litters, it is usual for coconut feline litters.

4. Wheat Litter

It is a form of litter prepared by “secondary wheat,” which is also called grain with not high-quality to utilize as nourishment. The grains feel and appear like old-style clay litter. This option is not excessively coarse or too well, making it the perfect litter for selective cats.

Whereas wheat clumps fine, it also makes soft masses just like clay litter. The easy-going clumps have a tendency to stick to all sides and the lower part of the container. For numerous cat owners, this litter can be slightly too untidy to clean.

Based upon the clumps, the litter either manage to smell well or decently. Moreover, it becomes pathetic the indulgent the clusters. Besides, this option must frequently be changed to prevent soft masses and disagreeable smells.

Tracking as well as dust happens while utilizing this litter because the granules are identical to clay litter. Curve or vacuum every day to eradicate the wheat elements around your family. This cat litter resembles old-style litter the most.

Pros

Prepared with secondary wheat
Comparable feel to clay litter, making a conversant product for even the fussiest of felines.
Some wheat-based cat litters are flushable.
Recyclable and eco-friendly

Cons

Clumping touch fluctuates
Generates dust as well as tracking
Must alter litter frequently to prevent unpleasant smells
Litter frequently sticks to all sides and the end of the container

Sweat Scoop is a prevalent company of wheat litter because it is veterinary suggested and easily accessible. A 36-pound carrier costs around $40, which is the usual cost of wheat feline litter.

5. Walnut Litter

Naturally Fresh cat litter made with 100% natural walnut shells.

Walnut cat litter contains only the covering of walnuts, an item that frequently goes to waste. The grain size differs based on the company and the formulation. Some companies offer numerous granule dimensions to make certain each cat owner gets a formulation that their cat chooses. A few companies provide pellet formulations too.

Each recipe contains pros and cons, but the excess of choices allows every client to get the appropriate one. Walnut cat litter manages odor because the finer formulations are rapid clumping and the rougher recipes mask the odors of multiple cats.

The majority of walnut cat litter companies make little to no dirt and decrease the volume of tracking. Several walnut cat litters are flushable, but the litter’s tint can stain the interior of your lavatory.

Eliminate the stains by washing your toilet frequently. Just like additional substitutes to cat litter, make sure to check the company’s website before discarding.

Pros

Prepared by using walnut shells
Numerous recipes and granule sizes accessible
Controls aroma well
Generates little dust and decreases tracking

Cons

The tint of litter can stain the lavatory if flushed.
Can have to try several formulas before getting the best choice for your feline

Blue Buffalo Cat Litter is a prevalent company of walnut litter. It has a 26-pound weight and costs around $20, which is the perfect variety for walnut litters.

6. Wood Shavings

Cat litter box filled with wood chips cat litter with red scoop on wooden flooring.

This is perfect once you do woodworking at your home. Just pull apart unexploited wood pallet panels, ride them over a planer before you see it, you’ve acquired a carrier full of wood flakes for feline litter. When your feline starts utilizing it and becomes confused, you can arc off the untidiness and dump it.

Only make sure what type of wood the shavings originate from. Aspen is satisfactory and wood-engraved by heat treatment; thus, they’re harmless for cats.

Pros

This option is free.
It’s eco-friendly; thus, you can consider it as manure in your lawn.
It’s porous.
It doesn’t become stuck on feline’s paws.

Cons

Some timber is lethal for pets.

7. Combination of Chicken Feed, Cedar Flakes, and Baking Soda

Make a home-based cat litter by combining equivalent parts of chicken feed, cedar flakes, and baking soda. Perhaps one of the slightest used cat litter substitutes, this option will engross both the litter as well as the waste. However, this cat litter will invite rats, mice, as well as bugs.

Pros

It’s cheap.
It’s eco-friendly.
It’s permeable.

Cons

It invites rodents.

8. Sand Litter

Cats usually love sand; thus, they will like this type of litter. Sand clusters well once wet, plus it does not grasp urine scent. Add one portion of baking soda for extra aroma protection. Blend well.

Beige scoop with a clump on top resting on sand cat litter.

Pros

Your cat will like this litter.
It’s fragrance-free.
It’s eco-friendly.

Cons

It can become messy.
You can buy 2 lb of feline sand litter for approximately $15.

9. Grass Litter

Grass feline litter is frivolous and makes very strong clumps. Additionally, you can select between fragrant and fragrance-free choices, although it naturally contains a respectable odor.

Pros

It’s eco-friendly.
Cats choose grass for additional resources.

Cons

It is among the costly kinds of cat litter.
It can be excessively lightweight for large felines.
It can become dirty.
It tends to track.
Excessive moisture creates the clumps disintegrate easily.

It costs around $21-$32.

10. Green Tea Cat Litter

Here’s one more approach to like your cup of green tea. When you’re done with your beverage, dry the leaves, and blend them within the litter. The leaves contain natural anti-microbial features, and they perform as an operative natural deodorizer; thus, they will fascinate the smells. And over, they have potent clumping.

Pros

It’s fragrance-free.
This option is free.
It’s eco-friendly.

Cons

It can become dusty.
May require a superior scoop for the pellet formulation.

You can also buy green tea feline litter in clumping recipe or pellet recipe. A 5 lb container of green tea litter costs approximately $16.

11. Wood Pellets Cat Litter

Wood pellets are one more affordable, eco-friendly choice for cat litter. They are generally used for oven fuel or cows’ bedding and are usually used for feline litter in numerous animal housings. Wood pellets enlarge as they cluster; thus, make sure to pour sufficient into your litter container. You can add baking soda to the bits for extra smell protection.

Pros

It’s cheap.
It’s eco-friendly; thus, it’s stress-free to dispose of.
It’s permeable.
Fewer tracking.

Cons

Can crumble rapidly once moist; thus, it will go into sawdust and stay in the container until it becomes clear.
No promise your feline will like using it.

You can buy a 40 lb bag of wood pellets for approximately $4-6.

12. Cat Litter with Rabbit Food Pellets

Close up of rabbit food pellets cat litter.

Several cat lovers have attempted to consider rabbit food pellets as litter. It clusters well and can remove the scent. It’s not dirty; thus, it’s stress-free to clean, plus you can dispose of it easily. Furthermore, you can wash the firm waste.

Pros