Eco-friendly Cat Litter: A Complete Guide

Litter boxes are essential for households with feline family members. But have you ever thought about what cat litter does to the planet? The environmental impact of conventional litter may surprise you. Read on to learn more about how this common household item affects the environment and discover sustainable alternatives available on the market.

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Is cat litter bad for the environment?

Cat litter was invented in the 1940s. Edward Lowe discovered that a clay-like substance called fuller’s earth was excellent at absorbing feline waste and controlling odors. He subsequently launched Kitty Litter and heavily invested in R&D to produce a lightweight, low-odor, and super-absorbent litter. Before Lowe’s discovery, cat parents used ash, sand, or soil.

Since these materials tracked paw prints all over the house, clay-based litter quickly became popular among cat owners. Unfortunately, conventional litter isn’t environmentally friendly for several reasons. Most cat litters use sodium bentonite clay, mainly obtained by strip mining.

Strip mining extracts bentonite clay from 30 to 40 feet below the ground. Miners must remove large amounts of vegetation, topsoil, and dirt to reach the clay. This practice destroys the local environment, displaces wildlife, and can pollute water tables. Moreover, it takes enormous amounts of energy to mine and process the clay to achieve the desired texture.

Additionally, clay-based litter is not biodegradable, so it will sit in landfills for thousands of years. Many current products also include additives like clumping agents, chemical scents, and anti-dust sprays, which will end up in landfills too.

What about crystal cat litter, another popular form? While less messy than clay-based products, crystal litter, which is silica-based, isn’t any better for the environment. It’s also sourced through strip mining and isn’t biodegradable.

Is cat litter unhealthy?

Is conventional cat litter unhealthy for us and our cats? Beyond concerns about diseases like toxoplasmosis, the litter itself poses health risks. The dust kicked up each time your cat uses the litter box or when you change it contains minerals that can exacerbate respiratory allergies or asthma and cause other serious health issues.

Remember the bentonite clay? This clay expands up to 15 times its original volume when wet, forming easily-scoopable clumps. This is also why we don't flush litter and risk blocking pipes. However, if inhaled or ingested, it can expand inside our cats' organs, causing dehydration, anemia, lung, and gastrointestinal issues, including blockages and nutrient absorption prevention. Bentonite clay can contain arsenic, lead, and silica traces, all known carcinogens. You’ll also breathe in the dust throughout your house unless the litter box is outside.

Crystalline silica, found in both bentonite clay and crystal silica litters, is a known carcinogen for humans and animals. Inhaling too much silica dust can lead to silicosis, an upper respiratory condition resulting in shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity. It may also contribute to sarcoidosis, a disease involving the growth of inflammatory granulomas in internal organs.

Scent and odor controlling additives in the litter can also disperse into the air with the dust or be licked off paws, posing additional risks. These additives may trigger allergies or cause respiratory, eye, or urinary issues, though many have not been well studied for toxicity.

What is eco-friendly cat litter?

So, what’s an aspiring zero-waste cat parent to do? Although no cat litter is truly zero-waste, several eco-friendly options on the market have a significantly smaller carbon paw print than conventional litters.

Eco-friendly cat litters are made from biodegradable materials that are recycled, renewable, or byproducts of other industries. These materials are often sustainably sourced and minimally processed. Because they are biodegradable, they can be composted and will not pile up in landfills if disposed of properly. Eco-friendly cat litter can be made from wood, pine, bamboo, paper, newspaper, grass seed, coconut, corn, wheat, beet pulp, and even tofu.

Plus, unlike conventional litters, eco-friendly litters don't contain bentonite clay or silica dust, linked to upper respiratory diseases, cancers, allergies, and other health issues.

It’s clear that eco-friendly cat litters offer a sustainable, biodegradable, cleaner, and healthier option to traditional varieties. But where should you start?

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Best eco-friendly cat litter products

Ready to switch to cat litter that has a lower impact on the environment? Here are five of the best eco-friendly cat litter brands to get you and your feline friend started on your journey towards sustainable living:

World’s Best

World’s Best cat litter is made from whole corn kernels compressed into highly absorbent granules that trap odors and clump on contact. The clumps don’t stick to the box or fall apart, allowing for easier cleanup. Additionally, it lasts longer than conventional brands, so you can reduce trips to the pet store. It comes in unscented and scented varieties, with formulas geared towards single, multiple, and picky felines. This brand also gives back—so far, World’s Best has donated more than one million pounds of litter to rescue cats in need.

SmartCat

Made from US-farmed grass, SmartCat clumping litter has a creamy sand-like texture that many cats like. It is soft on the paws, making it safe and suitable for younger felines. The brand claims to out-clump clay-based litters; clumps can be scooped out within minutes of elimination, and because it clumps so well, there’s no need to dump the entire box too often. It is also fragrance-free and virtually dust-free, reducing the chance of respiratory issues and making it ideal for sensitive cats.

sWheat Scoop

sWheat Scoop is the world’s first plant-based cat litter, made from rapidly renewable wheat sourced from farms in the United States. Its proprietary blend contains naturally occurring starches and enzymes that form clumps fast and trap odors on contact, so it retains its natural wheat scent even after your cat does their business. Tracking is minimal as well since it doesn’t stick to the paws. sWheat Scoop comes in five varieties, including multi-cat and wheat-corn blend formulas. The brand has also partnered with Plastic Bank to help protect oceans from plastic waste.

Ökocat

Using reclaimed wood fiber, Ökocat offers completely biodegradable, additive, and dust-free cat litters that range in various textures for our picky felines. From super soft fiber pieces made for delicate paws, a super light cut that simulates clay, and even pellets in wood or paper for long-haired cats, there's one that's sure to fit your kitty's preferences. With a natural scent and solid clumping ability, the wood fiber absorbs liquid quickly to help stop odor from even forming, and most varieties are even flushable! And if you've got other critters, the same company also produces natural dog litter for indoor use and small animal bedding too!

Littermaid

Hailed as one of the best eco-friendly options on the market by many reviewers, Littermaid's Premium Walnut Cat Litter turns discarded walnut shells leftover from the human food industry into a soft, sandy litter that's easy on the paws. This absorbent walnut litter clumps tightly, naturally minimizes odors and gives off very little dust. A note of caution for those with nut allergies, however, as the walnut shells can contain trace amounts of walnuts. Littermaid also makes a corn cob variety that's nut, dust, and clay free.

Not sure if eco-friendly cat litter is the right choice for your feline friend? Chat with a veterinary professional today to get the lowdown on eco-friendly cat litter.

Dealing with feces and urine is an unavoidable part of cat ownership. A well-maintained litter box can make it easy to contain and clean up pet waste, but figuring out the best way to dispose of used cat litter can be less straightforward. Pet parents can use several strategies to get rid of this waste. Throwing it in the trash is the simplest disposal method, but you may wonder if composting cat litter could be a better alternative.

Composting cat litter can seem appealing, especially for environmentally conscious cat owners. After all, the amount of litter used for even a single cat can add up quickly, and you may feel concerned or guilty about your pet’s environmental impact. Composting can prevent more cat litter from going to the landfill, but you should carefully weigh the benefits and risks before committing to this disposal method.

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