A Better Cat Litter
Cat litter is not environmentally friendly
The bentonite clay that is the main ingredient for most litter is often not ethically sourced. It is often derived from environmentally destructive “strip mining”. Also, did you know that most commercial cat litter is not biodegradable? Since it is meant to hold moisture, the clay will not break down and instead just sits in landfills. Even “flushable” cat litter is not ideal because it can clog toilets over time and potentially spread Toxoplasma Gondii parasites that most cats carry.
2. It can be harmful to you and your cats health
The dust, fragrances, and aluminum silicate (a carcinogen) found in commercial clay cat litter can cause asthma and other breathing problems. Pieces of the clay granules can become stuck between your cats toes and when your cat licks their paws to bathe themselves the clay particles become ingested. This can cause internal blockages (and expensive vet bills) and is especially common kittens.
3. There is a better option
Biodegradable cat litter can be made from a variety of substances, such as wheat, corn, coconut fiber, walnut shells, dried wood, grass, sawdust, or even recycled newspapers. Luckily there are a variety of different eco-friendly brands on the market.
-Yesterday’s News- A paper based cat litter made from recycled paper
-Hartz Recycled Clumping Paper Cat Litter- Color changing litter made from 80% recycled paper
-ökocat Dust-free Paper Natural Litter- Made from natural wood fiber and is 99% dust free
-World’s Best Cat Litter
-Nature’s Miracle
-Next Gen Pet Cat Litter- Made with green tea and cypress wood
-Eco-Shell Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
*Here at CCHEI we prefer to use plain chicken scratch mixed with a “green” litter. It is very cheap and the texture is similar to clay litter which cats prefer. Our local feed store sells 50lb bags of chicken scratch for about $16.
TIP: Always transition your cat to a new litter slowly, adding a few handfuls to the litter box each day until you have fully transitioned.