As Better With Cats explains, “When compared to clay litter, there's really no contest. Wood pellet litter is easier on the environment, more cost-effective, it smells better and my absolute favorite is that it doesn't track!
Silica litter prevents bacteria with crystals that absorb urine and help dehydrate feces, making your cat's litter box too dry to sustain any growth. This helps prevent kidney problems and UTIs in cats. Environmentally, silica litters will biodegrade and are non-toxic, making them a better choice than clay.
A variety of studies have found that cats prefer their litter to be soft and fine-grained. A recent study compared three types of unscented litter—wood pellets, silica microgranules, and nonclumping clay granules. Overwhelmingly, the cats chose silica and clay over the pellets.
They're considerably cheaper than most other options (you can buy a 40 lb bag of wood pellets for $5.19!) and can absorb cat urine! As this practice gained popularity, some cat litter brands have taken to selling wood pellet litter of their own. Feline Pine is one example.
WOOD SHAVINGS –
A DIY option for many woodworkers or crafters, wood shavings are a perfect replacement for cat litter. It's also biodegradable so you can use it in your garden beds.
The clumps form in seconds, trapping odours, and can be scooped out daily without making the rest of the litter tray dirty. Silica cat litters tend to last the longest but are not suitable for ingesting, so aren't recommended for kittens that might chew on stray pieces of litter.
Can you use wood pellets for cat litter? The answer is a simple yes. Many people have found that wood pellets make a great substitute for traditional clay cat litter.
Wood pellet cat litter is a great choice. Some cats take a while to get used to it due to the large particle and pine-fresh smell. Environmentally-conscious cat owners love this type of cat litter as it is so natural, eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
Luckily wood pellets can be disposed of directly into your green waste bin or even onto your compost heap if you have vegetarian pets like rabbits or Guinea pigs. No plastic bags required and experienced gardeners will know that urine actually acts as an accelerant in the composting process.
Purina Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented Cat Litter
After testing dozens of cat litter options, the Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented litter is our top pick.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Pour in the Cat Litter
Most cat litter manufacturers recommend using two to three inches of litter. You may want to use three to four inches if your cats are deep scratchers who will dig to the bottom of the litter box if you use less. Start with two inches and experiment until you find the ideal depth for your cat.
Dangerous types of cat litter on the market include some types of clumping cat litter, those containing sodium bentonite clay and those containing crystalline silica dust.
You've probably heard that you should put your phone in a bag of rice in an attempt to dry it out if it gets wet, but after some thorough testing from the folks at Gazelle, it turns out there is something that will absorb way more water from your damaged device. It's kitty litter!
For a home remedy, you can use a vinegar solution. According to Yahoo news, the vinegar smell deters cats from peeing in that same spot again and as it evaporates takes the cat urine odor with it.
Mix equal parts white or apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar cleaning solution on the affected area, whether your floor or furniture. Blot away the solution with a paper towel or old cloth. Repeat until the smell is gone.
Baking soda has great properties that deodorize the smell of urine. Sodium bicarbonate is the substance baking soda is made of, and it's amazing at soaking up odors. You can sprinkle it on the carpet or furniture after you've cleaned your cat's urine, make sure the area is dry before doing so.
Most cats need a LOT of transition time, and rushing it can push things back a lot. After a while, if you see the cats are using the litter box regularly and the litter is mostly wood, you can try switching it to 100% wood pellets.
The clumps are so stable that they don't fall apart when scooped. Single clumps can be disposed of in a flush toilet without any problems. Wait for a few seconds until the clumps start to dissolve before flushing them. Dispose of the remaining litter with regular household waste.
The problem with pellets is that many cats don't like how it feels. Can you blame them? Pine pellets also don't clump, so you'd scoop the poop like normal and then just let the pee break down the pellets into sawdust. The clumping pine litter has the consistency of normal litter and clumps together when peed on.
Cat Litter for Kittens: The Basics
If you are concerned that the kitten may try to eat the litter or lick litter dust from their fur, fill the box with a kitten-safe litter. There are several types that you can try: Plant-based pellets. These include pellets made of pine, walnut, coconut shells, or paper.