Alternative Litter

Hello all

Looking to switch from clay (Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract) litter to a more eco-friendly type.

My cat has gone and will go in litters with textures like wheat litter as we have used the Arm and Hammer wheat litter before. 

I'm looking for an alternative litter that:

-is good at odor control (my cat doesn't bury his poop x__x )

-low tracking

-low dust

-relatively cheap

Some I've considered have been Fresh4Life's Eco Clump (grass based) and the unscented Swheat Scoop.

I have used the unscented sWheatScoop and liked it very much.  I got it when I had a declawed cat who had been having litter box aversion, and that fixed the problem for her.  She was then adopted into a wonderful home that promised to always use sWheatScoop and she never had any litter box issues again.  (That was why the owner had given her up -- a problem caused because she declawed the cat even though the purchase agreement said she would not do it.) 

If your cat has sensitive feet, for any reason, she might be more willing to bury in the sWheat Scoop than in the Dr. Elsey's. Of course if she is a dominant cat, she may not bury at all.  It's a statement of ownership, leaving her mark in her box for all to see.  If she continues to do that and it bothers you, you may need to try one of those litter boxes that scoops itself. 

He didn't cover his poops when he was on the Arm and Hammer Wheat litter. I think he's just a dominant cat He used to be indoor/outdoor but we are trying to keep him indoor permanently now. Maybe that's why he's not covering, he still thinks he needs to show the other cats who's boss.

Regardless, I can always sprinkle baking soda or such into the litter if it doesn't do such a good job for feces. I just want an eco-friendly litter that is low tracking and dust free. 

I'm hesitant about wheat and corn litters because isn't that diverting wheat from humans? That's why I was interested in the grass but some say it may track worse than clay. 

Actually, has anyone had any experience with the Blue Buffalo walnut litter? Ive been reading up on reviews and a lot of people like it, but it is rather pricey

Manx said:

Actually, has anyone had any experience with the Blue Buffalo walnut litter? Ive been reading up on reviews and a lot of people like it, but it is rather pricey

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Nope. Sorry. I've heard of it though. Have you tried World's Best Cat Litter? Love them.

My problem with world's best is that it's corn based. Corn isn't very eco friendly as it uses up a lot of the soil's nutrients and requires massive quantities of water. 

Also, at the pet store where I work, I've had a lot of people return it on the basis of the bag being infested with small beetles? Not sure what that means....

Manx said:

My problem with world's best is that it's corn based. Corn isn't very eco friendly as it uses up a lot of the soil's nutrients and requires massive quantities of water. 

Also, at the pet store where I work, I've had a lot of people return it on the basis of the bag being infested with small beetles? Not sure what that means....

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Never had a problem with bugs.

Clay litter is worse for the environment. 8 billion tons of it in land fills every year. If its clumping litter, its even worse; clumping litter absorbs 15 TIMES its own original size. Yikes! Clay litter is also minded out of the ground.


What do you think of pine litters? How about paper pellets?

I love pine pellets and paper, but I have no clue if my cat would use it!

I know he is fine with the wheat or wheat like litter textures, hence me asking about the grass and walnut based kinds.

If you think paper or pine is better at odor control or low tracking, I'd be willing to give it a shot.

Manx said:

I love pine pellets and paper, but I have no clue if my cat would use it!

I know he is fine with the wheat or wheat like litter textures, hence me asking about the grass and walnut based kinds.

If you think paper or pine is better at odor control or low tracking, I'd be willing to give it a shot.

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Anything pellet is low tracking for me. The pine gets rid of smells faster. But paper is softer on paws. Especially if your cat has been declawed.

I use pine pellets. My girl took to it right away... then again this kitten had no problem using a cardboard box full of garden soil when I first got her. 

I do worry about the volatile oils in pine being too strong for her, but I haven't heard of pine litters giving cats respiratory infections so I'm pretty sure it's fine. Definitely great at odor control.