Pet owners are demanding more eco-friendly products and companies are responding to that,” says Dr. Jami-Lyn Derse, veterinarian and founder of Veterinary Housecall Care in Chicago. “A lot of these flushable cat litters are made from more eco-friendly materials.” Garfield Cat Litter First Impressions Review”, Cats & Fluff, April 10, 2020 Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. • Clay is a more common type of litter for cats to be allergic to because it’s often mixed with bentonite, silica dust, and other chemicals that work as binders. Clumping cat litter is made from material that soaks up liquids to form solid clumps when wet. These clumps are easy to remove without having to replace all the litter at once, which saves time and money. However, clumping litter can be swallowed by kittens and cause dangerous internal obstructions, so we’ve recommended a few non-clumping litters for very young cats. What is cat litter made from?

Clay is one of the oldest and most commonly used types of cat litter. There are both clumping and non-clumping clay litters. Avoiding synthetic fragrances is easy, simply don’t buy them. In particular, according to our cat behaviorist Nicole Van Andel, you’ll want to avoid citrus, citrus, clove, eucalyptus, and tea tree.

Our top picks for the best natural cat litter

Pros: Made from grass seeds, highly absorbent, controls odors with wheat-cereal scent, produces very little dust

Flushable cat litter is touted as a more convenient and sustainable option than conventional clumping litters that must be bagged and tossed in the trash—but is it worth the extra cost? What Is Flushable Cat Litter? This litter is made from corn fibers and plant extracts with added baking soda. It absorbs well, controls odor, and is lightweight. Cassava root contains the toxin cyanide. There’s a method of processing cassava root that manufacturers use to make it safe. Arguably among the most eco-friendly natural cat litter, Littermaid Premium Walnut Litter is made from the discarded shells of edible walnuts. The fibrous and naturally absorbent material is ground down into a sandy texture that is easy on the paws.

Cats develop litter allergies for reasons that are unique to each animal. The key is to narrow down what your cat is allergic to, not the litter as a whole. Similar to the odor section above, the more natural you go, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to avoid any issues with allergies. Having said that, there are two exceptions: walnut cat litter and corn cat litter. While walnut cat litter is a natural option, it is also a common allergen, especially in humans. Cats can also have a food sensitivity to corn, making it not a great option for their litter box. Claims are that it’s low-dust, bio-enzymatic, has great odor control, is very absorbent, and lighter than others. But clumping litters aren’t without their flaws. For example, as discussed above, the most popular clumping litter, clay litter, can be very dangerous if cats happen to consume their litter. The search for a “greener” alternative to conventional cat litter is one of the biggest reasons cat owners consider flushable cat litter, according to Derse.

You can read more about the dangers of corn-based cat litter as well as various studies that have looked at the risks associated with it here. 5. Wheat Clump or no clump: Clumping | How it smells: Unscented, with odor-absorbing charcoal | Dust levels: Low dust | Ingredients: Clay If you have one cat using the litter box you will need to change your non-clumping litter at least once a week. Aflatoxin grows in moist, warm conditions and even though crops are tested at various stages of growth, storage and production, it’s impossible to completely prevent it. The 22 Very Best Skin-Care Products for Redness and Rosacea The 22 Very Best Skin-Care Products for…

We also recommend staying away from litters that use smaller granules like clay, corn, and silica since these can get wedged in the toes of elderly cats who struggle to clean themselves, causing irritation and discomfort. It creates a lot of dust which can be problematic for people and cats suffering from respiratory conditions. Grain-based litters can get moldy and ferment if not changed regularly, especially in hotter weather. Upon first glance, this might seem like the perfect cat litter considering recycled paper is so readily available, but paper pellets have their flaws. Here are the biggest pros and cons if this is a cat litter you plan on purchasing. Pros of Paper Pellet Litter