We’re dog
owners. And I’m picking on the kitties… but there are definitely reasons for concern.
I have talked about proper disposal of doggie-doo so I’m not being biased. But common kitty litter is a major source of landfill waste and it’s bad news, because it doesn’t biodegrade and pollutes groundwater. Plus it often contains silica dust, a known carcinogen. And would you believe that, annually, two MILLION tons of used kitty litter finds its ways to landfills… to sit… and pollute for a very, very, VERY long time.
In college, I did have a kitty for a brief, fleeting moment (until we were busted by our landlord and then kitty was off to my Dad’s for new residency) but just like so many cat owners, I used a store-shelf brand of those “mined”, non-renewable, clay-based products that jam every grocery store in the country.
Sadly, these common products are a danger to the environment, our water sources, your cats and us! I’ve researched biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives made of natural, renewable and recycled contents. Here is a list that comes highly recommended, 
for the safety of everyone:
Cat Country – made from organic wheatgrass fibers
Feline Pine – made from renewable yellow pine
Good Mews – made of recycled paper fiber
Swheat Scoop – made from naturally processed wheat
World’s Best Cat Litter – made from whole kernel corn
So, although I’ve found that you can be a cat owner AND environmentally-friendly, I’m not sure I’m going to run out and buy a cat. Our daughter would certainly love it, but while she’s squealing “hello kitty!” I’m sure our dog would say “well, hellooooo kittyyyyy!”
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Feline Pine! I can’t say enough good things about this stuff. It somehow manages smell. I thought I’d miss the clumping but realized after we switched that the same stuff that made our clay little clump made everything stick to the sides. The box is way easier to clean now!
Our cates HATED the stuff at first. They tend to take changes like this in stride, but there was a housewide cat freakout when we first switched. They’ve gotten used to it now, but I’d definitely recommend doing a gradual switchover. Very, very gradual if your cat is a little on the fussy side.
I’m a cat person, so thanks for this! I don’t have one yet… but am hoping to get a cat sometime in the near future. With regard to Becky’s comment above, I’ll be sure to start the cat with natural kitty litter so there’s no difficult transition!
Becky – great recommendations and good for cat owners to know that a gradual changeover can help in a successful “green” switch!
Aw, thanks! I think part of what caused the freakout was the texture. Feline pine is these big pellets rather than the crumbly clay. They liked the switch to Swheat Scoop a lot more, but my hubby and I were not fans of that one at all. Our whole house smelled like cat pee! Boo!
KiwiLog – definitely start a kitty on the right “green” step, from the get go!
Becky – so Swheat Scoop… not so great with the smell issue, huh???
Now you’re on to something. I have seen these in the stores and have been afraid to try them. The last thing I want is to find out these are great for the environment but the cats wont use them. I will do a change over starting this weekend. Let’s hope it works, the boys are fine with change but I’m not fine if I have a smelly box.
….Dor, I just re-read what I posted and that didn’t come out just the way it sounded in my head. Did I mention how pretty you look in your picture?
Matt – thank you, sweetums!
Definitely try a switch over, and note that reader Becky highly recommended Feline Pine. She said to make the switch over gradual too, to help the boys adjust. Slowly combine the new with the old and increase the ratio of the new kind with each litter change and before you know it, you’ll be using the new environmental stuff and they probably won’t even notice! And she said it DOES manage the smell!
Its good to hear about Feline Pine. i really have not found anything that will control odor yet.
.-= Cat Games´s last blog ..Horse Rugs for Winter Warmth =-.
You have listed 5 big names of “biodegradable” cat litter. What you and many others HAVE NOT done is your research into what actually comprises those litters and the actual “biodegradable” rate. A litter I developed is biodegradable in 6-12 months and is compostable with only 3 (three) ingredients and one of th 3 is certified organic. But you were considerate enough to state initially that you are a dog person. I am a cat person with a vested interest in an actual “biodegradable, compostable” cat litter that is verifiably safe. I developed my litter for handicapped cats that could not use the litters you mentioned and defiunitely not any of hte silca base litters.
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