Caring for your cat doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. Choosing eco-friendly cat litter is a simple way to make your home cleaner, your cat happier, and your environmental impact smaller—all with one small change.
Why Consider Cat Litter Alternatives
Many cat parents are rethinking conventional clay litter due to its environmental impact, rising costs, and concerns about dust and chemicals. Natural cat litter alternatives provide better odor control, gentler textures for sensitive paws, and eco-friendly disposal options. Choosing these options not only ensures your cat’s comfort but also contributes to a cleaner, greener home.
Eco-Friendly Cat Litter Alternatives
Eco-friendly alternatives—such as corn, wheat, wood-based, recycled paper pellets, and other natural materials—are often biodegradable and compostable. They offer effective odor control and high absorbency, keeping your cat comfortable while reducing your household’s environmental footprint.
Pine Wood Pellets
Pine wood pellets are an excellent eco-friendly alternative to traditional clay litter. Made from compressed pine wood, they offer high absorbency and a natural, fresh scent that helps keep the litter box smelling clean.
Virtually dust-free, pine pellets create a healthier environment for cats—especially those with respiratory sensitivities. They are also biodegradable and compostable, making them a sustainable choice that minimizes environmental impact while keeping your cat comfortable.
Wheat-Based Litter
Wheat-based litter is made from by-products of the wheat crop, making it a renewable and sustainable alternative to traditional clay litter. Many types are also flushable, which makes waste disposal simple and hygienic. Its soft, natural texture resembles soil—a texture that cats naturally enjoy.
Renowned for its excellent clumping ability, wheat-based litter scoops easily and stays virtually dust-free, making it an ideal choice for cats with sensitivities. Its combination of sustainability, convenience, and comfort makes it one of the best eco-friendly alternatives to clay litter.
Paper-Based Kitty Litter
Paper-based litter is made from recycled paper products, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to clay litter. Its low-dust nature helps create a cleaner, healthier environment—ideal for cats with respiratory sensitivities or allergies.
The soft texture is gentle on cats’ paws, ensuring a comfortable litter experience. Additionally, its high biodegradability makes it one of the most environmentally responsible choices for conscientious pet owners.
Coconut Coir Litter
Coconut coir litter, made from the fibrous husks of coconuts, is a popular eco-friendly cat litter substitute among cat owners. It is gentle on cats’ paws and free from harsh chemicals, promoting the health of both cats and their owners. Highly absorbent, coconut coir litter effectively controls moisture and odors, keeping the litter box clean and fresh.
Corn-Based Litter
Corn-based litter is made from finely ground whole corn kernels or cobs, making it a biodegradable and flushable alternative cat litter to traditional clay litter. Its natural composition helps control odors while offering a more sustainable choice for eco-conscious cat owners, according to Chewy.
Renowned for its excellent clumping ability, corn-based litter forms tight clumps when it comes into contact with moisture, making scooping and cleaning quick and easy. Its combination of convenience, odor control, and sustainability makes it a top choice for many cat parents.
Everyday Household Items as Cat Litter Alternatives
If you’re looking for affordable, eco-friendly, and easily accessible cat litter alternatives, you don’t need to look far—many options are already around your home. Using simple household items, you can create effective and safe litter solutions for your cat, often at a fraction of the cost of commercial products.
Shredded Paper
Shredded paper is an eco-friendly alternative, especially when made from recycled materials. Its soft texture is gentle on cats’ paws, making it a comfortable choice. However, it has some limitations: it doesn’t clump, offers minimal odor control, and requires frequent changes, which can make cleaning the litter box more time-consuming.
Chicken Feed
Chicken feed can serve as an affordable and biodegradable alternative to traditional cat litter. It absorbs moisture reasonably well and can clump, which makes cleaning the litter box easier. However, because it is an edible product, it has a smell that may attract pests such as insects or rodents, potentially causing hygiene issues.
Small Animal Bedding (Wood Shavings, Horse Bedding Pellets)
Wood shavings, such as aspen or horse bedding pellets, can be used as an alternative cat litter. They are highly absorbent and provide natural odor control, making them a practical and eco-friendly option. However, some types of wood, such as cedar and certain pines, can be toxic to cats due to chemicals or aromatic oils, so it’s important to choose safe varieties. Untreated wood shavings may also produce dust, which can affect sensitive cats.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of household items as cat litter alternatives, as this table can help make the right choice for your cat.
Household Item | Pros | Cons |
Shredded Paper | Recycles old paper; soft on paws; virtually dust-free | Needs frequent changes; poor odor control; may get soggy quickly |
Chicken Feed | Affordable; biodegradable; clumps well | Can attract pests (rodents, insects); requires careful storage |
Small Animal Bedding (Aspen, Horse Pellets) | Highly absorbent; natural odor control; widely available in pet stores | Not all wood types are safe (avoid cedar, certain pines); can be dusty if untreated |
Natural Cat Litter Alternatives
Natural, compostable cat litter alternatives can mimic the textures cats encounter outdoors while remaining effective for litter box use. These options are often biodegradable, eco-friendly, and gentle on your cat’s paws.
Sand
Sand is one of the most affordable natural kitty litter alternatives to traditional cat litter. It is a renewable resource and can often be disposed of in a garden or compost, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Sand is highly absorbent, helps control odors, and has a soft texture that is gentle on cats’ paws. It is also virtually dust-free, making it suitable for sensitive cats. However, sand requires frequent changing and can easily track throughout your home, so it may need a little extra maintenance.
Potting Soil
Potting soil provides a natural, earthy texture that can be particularly useful for outdoor cats or for toilet-training kittens. You can add baking soda to help control odors, but maintaining cleanliness may require extra effort, as potting soil can contain microbes or other contaminants. While it offers a realistic outdoor feel, it’s best used with caution and regular cleaning to ensure your cat’s health and hygiene.
Innovative Commercial Cat Litter Alternatives
Newer commercial cat litter alternatives use natural materials but are processed for convenience, combining sustainability with ease of use.
Grass Seed Litter
Grass seed litter is lightweight, highly absorbent, and clumps well, making cleaning the litter box easier. However, it may track around the house after your cat uses it. According to Zoetis Petcare, grass seed litter can also pose allergy risks and may attract pests, so it’s important to monitor your cat and keep the area clean.
Walnut Shell Litter
Walnut shell litter is made from discarded walnut shells, offering a biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional clay litter. It is highly absorbent and effective at controlling odors, making it a convenient and sustainable choice for eco-conscious cat owners.
Training Cats to Use New Litter
Introducing your cat to a new type of litter may seem challenging, but with patience and a gradual approach, the transition can be smooth. Follow these steps:
Mix Old and New Litter – Start by combining a small amount of the new litter with your cat’s current litter. Gradually increase the proportion of the new litter over several days until your cat is fully accustomed to it.
Positive Reinforcement – Reward your cat with treats, affection, or praise when they use the new litter. Positive reinforcement helps them associate the new litter with a good experience.
Monitor Your Cat – Watch for signs of discomfort, avoidance, or changes in bathroom habits. These may indicate that your cat doesn’t like the new litter or needs more time to adjust.
With patience and careful observation, most cats can adapt successfully to a new litter type.
Maintaining a Fresh and Hygienic Litter Box
Keeping your cat’s litter box clean is essential for both your cat’s comfort and your home’s hygiene. Here are some practical tips:
Daily Scooping: Remove clumps and solid waste at least once a day. This helps control odors and ensures your cat’s litter stays fresh.
Regular Cleaning: Empty the litter box completely once a week and wash it with mild soap. Make sure it is thoroughly dry before refilling with fresh litter.
Improve Ventilation: Place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to prevent stale air and trapped odors.
Safe Odor Control: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda at the bottom of the litter box before adding litter. This neutralizes odors naturally, without harsh chemicals.
Choosing the right litter box and accessories can make maintenance easier. High-rimmed boxes help prevent litter scatter, while covered boxes can contain odors but require more frequent cleaning. Sifting or self-cleaning boxes are especially convenient for multi-cat households, simplifying daily upkeep.
Materials to Avoid as Cat Litter Alternatives
When exploring alternatives to conventional cat litter, it’s important to avoid materials that may pose health or hygiene risks for your cat:
Shredded Newspaper: Although it may seem like a convenient option, shredded newspaper often contains toxic inks and chemicals that can be harmful to cats.
Untreated Potting Soil: While some consider potting soil an eco-friendly choice, untreated soil can harbor bacteria, parasites, and mold spores, posing a risk to your cat’s health.
Unsafe Wood Shavings: Not all wood shavings are safe for cats. Some types, especially cedar or chemically treated woods, contain aromatic oils (phenols) or chemicals that can irritate a cat’s respiratory system.
Choosing safe, non-toxic alternatives is essential to protect your feline companion while maintaining a clean and comfortable litter box environment.
Choosing the Best Cat Litter Alternatives for Your Home
Finding the right cat litter alternative involves balancing eco-friendliness, odor control, cost, availability, and, most importantly, your cat’s comfort. There are many options available:
Commercial Eco-Friendly Litters: Pine pellets, wheat-based, paper-based, coconut coir, and corn-based litters are sustainable, absorbent, and often dust-free, offering comfort and odor control.
Household Items: Shredded paper, chicken feed, and small animal bedding can be used in a pinch, but each has pros and cons—such as odor issues, pests, or dust.
Natural Alternatives: Sand and potting soil mimic outdoor textures, though they may require more maintenance and careful handling.
Innovative Commercial Litters: Grass seed and walnut shell litters provide biodegradable, absorbent, and odor-controlling options processed for convenience.
Tips for Success: Gradually introduce new litter, use positive reinforcement, and monitor your cat’s comfort. Maintain a clean litter box with daily scooping, regular washing, and proper ventilation. Avoid unsafe materials like toxic inks, untreated soil, or cedar shavings.
By experimenting with different options and prioritizing your cat’s needs, you can find a litter alternative that keeps both your home and your feline happy, healthy, and eco-conscious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good, cheaper alternative to store-bought kitty litter?
Affordable and effective alternatives include pine wood pellets, shredded paper, chicken feed, sand, or soil. These options provide absorbency and odor control without the cost of commercial litter.
If you run out of cat litter, what is a good alternative until you can get to the store to buy some more?
Temporary alternatives to cat litter include sand, finely shredded paper, dirt, or wood shavings. If there’s a feed store nearby, unpelletized livestock feed can also serve as an effective, odor-controlling substitute until you can restock.
