There are so many different kinds of eco-friendly cat litters on the market these days! This is great news for our Earth, but it can be a bit confusing. What are all these new litters- what different types are there? From recycled newsprint to wood chip litter, it seems that there are unending new possibilities.
Exactly what types of litter are good for the Earth, and what are they? With this blog, we will help you answer these questions that you have probably have had, as you walked down the litter aisle of your local pet store.
Litters made from …
This litter is made from paper that would otherwise be thrown away, that has been recycled, or is from recycled newsprint.
Non-toxic with no fragrances, these types of litter are usually good with dust and odors. They are low-odor, and low on dust- even 99% or more.
Paper cat litter is biodegradable. You can even compost it in your backyard garden, but this does need to be done with care.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can be transferred from cat feces into plants sown in the garden. This bacteria is particularly bad for a newborn fetus, so mothers do not want to be eating food from this garden!
This type of litter is biodegradable and compostable. Most of the time, it is inexpensive.
You can find different varieties of wood blends. Some wood litters are made with hardwood, sawdust, cedar chips, pine chips, or fibrous material from renewable tree-nut crops.
These are often in combinations with one another- for example, sawdust and cedar chips mixed together.
Perhaps surprisingly, these litters do a decent job of keeping smells under control.
Of course, these litters are biodegradable and compostable. And, these crops are, happily, renewable.
Wheat litter takes advantage of the natural enzymes in wheat crops to keep odors under control.
You can find maize litters made from non-GMO maize.
These types also have less dust and good, natural, odor Control
Grass Litters
These can be great on odor control and they are also very low on dust.
However, due to the soft, sandy nature of the litter, the litter particles can track a bit more than other types.
Grass litter can also be on the expensive side of things. But, grass litter does do a good job and it is excellent for the environment.
Fibers from the grass seed that are high in starch are very absorbent. They also clump well.
Overall, grass litters are an excellent choice for your cat and the earth.
According to Cat spot, their coconut litter absorbs 560% of its weight in liquid. One of their 5 lb bags allegedly absorbs as much as a 30 lb bag of clay litter. The absorbancy of their coconut litter is all due to the absorbent nature of coconut. In fact, their product is 100% coconut.
Light-weight and dust-free, this litter is biodegradable. Coconut litter is good to the earth and is kind to your cat.
The coconut granules also absorb ammonia, thus eliminating odors.
Coconut litter can be affordable, at approximately $17 – $20 USD per 5 lb bag. One bag lasts an average sized cat for one month.
Bamboo litter is another great option for the earth.
Sustainably harvested, bamboo litter reduces the effects of strip mining for clay cat litter.
Bamboo is also absorbent and reduces odors.
With no chemicals or additives, natural bamboo is also healthy for your cat and everyone in your house.
7lbs can last the average-sized cat one month and is equivalent to 40 lbs of clay litter.
You can find bamboo litter on Amazon and also at Walmart. You can find bags at about $19 USD per bag, or 3 bags for $35; these bags again, last about a month.
Instead of racking your brains, trying to think of a way to save the earth through some eco-friendly cat litter invention, we hope they you use this article to save you some time.
This list of eco-friendly litters is by no means exhaustive. As previously mentioned, there is plant-based litter (various kinds of plants, of course) available; I have even heard of beet pulp cat litter!
These eco-friendly litters that we are discussed are the most common ones that I see pop up here and there.
Overall, these recent cat litter inventions are “biodegradable and often more sustainably sourced than litters made from clay or silica gel, they are good at minimizing odors with their natural scents and fibrous composition.” They can also be affordable.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/green-friendly-cat-litter-options/
https://www.businessinsider.com/best-natural-cat-litter#the-best-natural-cat-litter-overall-
https://www.poopbags.com/catfidence-100-organic-bamboo-cat-litter/
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