Clay cat litter is widely used by cat owners. It is cheap and has a good absorbing capacity. Clay litter is beneficial in some ways, but it has its disadvantages too, which is why it is good to know the substitutes for it. This CatAppy article gives you some good alternatives to clay cat litter that are also safe.
Did You Know?
Plant-based litters are promoted because they are made from peanut hulls, alfalfa, wheat, oat hulls, or corn cob, making them safe for use.
Cat owners maintain a litter box that is filled with clumping material. This clumping material is absorbent and cats are meant to urinate and defecate in these litter boxes, when they are indoors. Cat owners usually opt for clay litters, as they are low-priced and because clay is a good absorbent. But many are unaware of the health risks associated with these litters.
Firstly, these litters are not biodegradable. They contain sodium bentonite which expands in volume when in contact with a liquid. Imagine what could happen if your kitty swallows this litter! If ingested, the litter can cause dehydration, diarrhea, intestinal blockages, or even lead to the pet’s death. It also consists of silica which is carcinogenic, thus proving to be harmful to both pets and humans. The solution to these problems is to opt for alternatives to clay cat litter. Here they are.
Paper Litter (Ready-made)
There are brands like CareFresh and Yesterday’s News, which sell paper litters. They can be used as an alternative to clay cat litter. These can also be used as a lining for the cage.
Paper Litter (Homemade)
One can easily make paper litter at home. Using shredded newspapers as cat litter is an inexpensive and effective option.
Wood
Another inexpensive alternative to clay litter is wood shavings. When used as a litter liner, they absorb odors and keep the stink of cat urine away.
Corn Litter
It suppresses the ammonia smell of the cat urine. Also, it can be flushed in small quantities and clumps well. As this cat litter is dusty, it should be avoided if your cat has any respiratory disorders.
Chicken Feed, Baking Soda, and Cedar Shavings
Mixing equal quantities of chicken feed with baking soda and cedar shavings will very well absorb the waste and its odor. However, you may not be pleased to know that this mix tends to draw rodents.
Sand Litter Box
A rectangular container filled with sand can be a perfect litter box for your cat. Sand naturally attracts cats. You can add one part of baking soda to two parts of sand. This combination will help keep the odors away. It also clusters well when wet and does not retain urine odor.
Dish Soap, Water, Shredded Paper, and Baking Soda
To make a conventional kitty litter at home, you can combine shredded paper, water, and dish soap. Soak the shredded paper in dish soap and water. After about 5 minutes, strain the water and add baking soda to the mixture. Crumble the mix and let it dry. It might take some time, but it makes a good cat litter.
Ready-made Non-clay Litter
- Feline Pine is a brand that sells wood-based litter.
- SwheatScoop is another brand that sells non-clay cat litter. It is made out of wheat, which clumps well and is also scoopable.
- WonderWheat is similar to SwheatScoop and is also made of wheat.
- ‘The World’s Best Cat Litter’ has ingredients like whole-kernel corn and is free of silica. It is easily flushed, is environment-friendly, and does not include perfumes or synthetic materials.
Choose your cat litter wisely and ensure that you know about the advantages and disadvantages of the product before you purchase it. Clay cat litters are undoubtedly effective. However, considering the health hazards associated with them, choosing from their alternatives is not a bad idea.
