Eco-Friendly Kitty Litters Made from Unusual Materials: Getting Earth Friendly with Pine, Corn, Wheat and Recycled Paper
Traditional cat litter is usually made of clay. Not only is clay a non-renewable resource that is strip-mined and won't break down in landfills; it also makes dust when your cat is pawing in the litter pan. This dust can be irritating to the cat's respiratory system and also to their human companions. Aside from dust, whatever material your cat litter is made of is likely to be ingested by your pet. Cats are known for being meticulous groomers and when they walk through the litter there will be residue and particles on their feet and coat. These in turn will be taken in as the cat grooms themselves.
The first kitty litter we are reviewing is World's Best Cat Litter. This litter is made from whole-kernel corn. It clumps moisture on contact and traps ammonia odor. The fast clumping action also means your bag of litter will last 2 to 3 times longer than other clumping litters. Because this litter is made from corn; it is 100% biodegradable with no added chemicals or toxins. It won't harm your cat if ingested and there is not dust for the cat to breath in. Available online or at popular local retailers, you can locate the store nearest you by visiting their website listed in the resource section of this article.
Swheat Scoop is a kitty litter made of raw secondary wheat that is not destined for the food chain. The wheat is processed into pellets, crushed and strained to form tiny "crumbles". The production process activates the wheat's natural enzymes that will eliminate odors. The wheat's natural starches allow for clumping action when exposed to moisture. With Swheat Scoop there is less tracking of litter around the house and it doesn't contain any chemicals or artificial fragrances. Swheat Scoop is available coast-to-coast at pet stores and national chain stores.
Feline Pine is another non-traditional cat litter that is 100% biodegradable. It contains no chemicals and is made from renewable Southern Yellow Pine and Natural Guar. The pine is heated and pressurized to remove any harmful wood oils. It is dust free and contains nothing unhealthy for your pet.
Lastly, we look at Yesterday's News. Yesterday's News is made of recycled paper and comes in recyclable packaging. While not completely dust free, it comes close at 99.7%. It also contains no fragrance and is safe if ingested.
If you are looking for an environmentally-friendly solution to traditional cat litter, you should be able to find a suitable brand from among these four green-minded pet products.
Resources
World's Best Cat Litter Website
Published by Marilyn Quinn
Featured Video Games Contributor, Freelance writer, voracious reader, mother of four, wife and gamer who lives just minutes outside Albuquerque, in Rio Rancho, NM! View profile
- Product Review: Swheat Scoop Cat LitterSwheat Scoop is a natural, wheat-based cat litter that is scoopable, flushable, and excellent at odor control. Its downsides are tracking and a relatively high cost per pound, but it's still cost-effective in the lon...
The Anti-Shopping List: Kitty LitterThe Anti-Shopping List suggests ways to fulfill basic needs with a reduced dependence on circulating currency: Kitty Litter.- Best Natural Cat Litters: A ReviewA guide to the top three natural cat litters, including the popular cat litter brands Swheat Scoop, Feline Pine, and Yesterday's news, all of which are natural, earth-friendly, and biodegradable.
- Cats Go Green: Natural Options for CatsNatural go green options for cats.
- Controlling Cat Box OdorsCats are lovable, but the kitty litter box sure isn't! Here's how to keep it clean and odor-free.
- Swheat Scoop Cat Litter: Biodegradable, Clumping and Flushable
- Best Natural Kitty Litter Brands
- What is Natural Cat Litter? A PetCo Employee Explains
- In Search of the Perfect Kitty Litter
- Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Cat Litter is Amazing
- Five Eco-Friendly Cat Products
- How to Select a Kitty Litter




