Many commercial cat litters include high levels of silica dust, which has been related to upper respiratory problems in both cats and humans. Chemical scents in many cat litters, on the other hand, can be hazardous to cats. So, cat litter can be bad for the environment.
Is cat litter bad for the environment?
So, cat litter can be bad for the environment. There are many greener solutions out there due to greater awareness of cats’ health and the environment. Let’s find it out. What is Cat Litter Made Of? How Does Cat Litter Impact The Environment? Is Normal Cat Litter Biodegradable? What Kind Of Cat Litter Is Biodegradable? 1. Pine Litter 2.
Is clay-based cat litter good for the environment?
But choosing the right cat litter for you and your kitty can also be healthier for you, your pet, and for the environment. Clay-based cat litter may be the most common—and therefore the most affordable and widely available—choice on the market, but it is not considered good for the environment (see the FAQs below).
Can you recycle Biodegradable cat litter?
Biodegradable cat litter is made from plant matter. The cat litter should be produced from renewable sources. So, while the actual farming to make the cat litter will impact the environment, it will have nowhere near as much of an impact as the mining for clay or sand. You cannot recycle biodegradable cat litter.
Is sodium bentonite litter bad for cats?
Besides the environmental impact of clay-based litters, some people believe the dust coming off of sodium bentonite can be bad for our cats and for us – it could cause lung problems or worsen asthma. Either way, dust is definitely an irritant best avoided by us all!
How is cat litter produced?
What are they made of?
What is the best material for cat litter?
Is pine chip litter good for cats?
Can you use wood shavings for litter box?
Can you put a newspaper in the litter box?
Is cat litter the same as clay?
See 2 more
Is cat litter environmentally friendly?
Clay – the most common type of cat litter – sounds natural, but it's far from environmentally friendly. The clay that goes into making litter is mined and processed in a way that destroys habitats and pollutes the environment.
What is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of cat litter?
As Bond noted, wood-based cat litter is ideal for composting, which is perhaps the eco-friendliest way to dispose of cat litter and waste. But you must be very careful about reaching the correct temperature to destroy pathogens.
What kind of cat litter is most environmentally friendly?
What are the best types of non toxic cat litter?Wheat-based Cat Litter. Wheat-based cat litter is plant-based, biodegradable, renewable, and septic and sewer safe. ... Walnut-based Cat Litter. ... Wood-based Cat Litter. ... Corn-based Cat Litter. ... Grass Seed Cat Litter. ... Recycled Paper Cat Litter.
Why is cat litter not biodegradable?
If cat litter is made from sodium bentonite clay, it is not biodegradable. The clay is not an organic matter, merely a natural resource. Therefore, it does not break down like other previously living organisms do.
Is it OK to flush cat poop down the toilet?
Even though it may seem like a good idea, you should not be flushing your cat's litter or feces down the toilet. It can cause havoc on your plumbing, clog pipes, and damage your septic system.
How often should litter box be cleaned?
If you clean the litter box daily, you might only need to change clumping litter every two to three weeks. If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it's time for a change. Scrub the box every time you change the litter.
What is a good alternative to cat litter?
6 Sustainable Cat Litter AlternativesPAPER LITTER – Paper litter is formed in pellets, and often are recommended by veterinarians if your cat has allergies or is healing from an infection. ... CORN LITTER – ... WHEAT LITTER – ... COCONUT LITTER – ... WOOD SHAVINGS – ... OTHER DIY LITTERS –
Is there an alternative to litter?
Wood shavings or sawdust Wood shavings and sawdust are other popular alternatives that work really well in place of your standard store-bought cat litter. Not only are they inexpensive, but they're eco-friendly too. When it comes to absorbing urine, both wood shavings and sawdust do a stellar job.
Is cat litter compost or waste?
Cat litter is composted in the same manner as other organic waste. It is placed in a composter or compost bin, along with other biodegradable materials, and allowed to break down naturally over the course of several months.
Why should we stop dropping litter?
Litter can also be lethal to wildlife, from discarded fishing lines that can maim and kill water birds, to plastic bags mistaken for food and ingested by animals such as cows, sheep, horses and some marine animals. Most schools have a litter problem to some degree.
How long does kitty litter take to decompose?
While clay and silica cat litter don't decompose, biodegradable ones do. The whole process usually takes at least one year if no heat is applied. In the presence of heat, it can take mere months.
What happens to cat litter in landfill?
As clay cat litter is not biodegradable, much of the waste ends up in landfill where it will likely stay forever. Even without the plastic bags and liners which are often used to dispose of litter, the clay does not naturally decompose, but will stick around for thousands of years (much like Roman clay pottery).
How do you dispose of cat litter without plastic bags?
Read on for seven alternative ways to dispose of cat litter without relying on single-use plastic bags.Compost It. ... Bury It. ... Biodegradable Bags. ... Paper And Newspaper. ... Repurpose Non-Recyclable Plastic Bags. ... Collect It.
Can I dump cat litter outside?
It's not a good idea to dump cat litter outside or anywhere else besides the compost bin or the trash can. Not only is dumping cat litter potentially illegal depending on where you live but it's also bad for the environment and can endanger other animals and even other people in some cases.
Where can I throw used cat litter?
For the most of us, the easiest option may be to scoop the litter and drop it into the bin. Scoop the used litter and any waste into a biodegradable bag, secure and put into your normal household bin.
Does cat litter go to landfill?
Even litters advertised as being biodegradable won't break down properly in most landfills because they're disposed of in plastic bags that prevent decomposition. That's why it's so important to buy eco-friendly cat litter options—and dispose of the waste in biodegradable bags—whenever possible.
How is cat litter produced?
The process for making the more traditional kinds of cat litter – clay and crystal versions – does hurt our environment a little bit.
What are they made of?
Natural cat litters are often made of renewable materials like wheat, corn and pine. The majority of them are also already recycled waste materials so these cat litters are finding a way to reuse the materials we’re already throwing away.
What is the best material for cat litter?
Similar to wheat, corn can be used as a material for cat litter. Corn has similar properties for wheat for being absorbent and then natural enzymes found in it can help reduce the amount of odor coming from the litter box. Corn-based litter will clump up very similar to the way traditional cat litters do, so you can easily scoop it out in the same way.
Is pine chip litter good for cats?
There are some cat litter options made of dust-free pine chips. These are very environmentally friendly as they’re coming from a natural source, and they’re biodegradable. Additionally, the pine chips will help provide a fresh scent in your home to help cover the typical litter box smells.
Can you use wood shavings for litter box?
This material is often used as bedding for these pets but it’s also absorbent so there’s no reason it can’t be used in a litter box situation.
Can you put a newspaper in the litter box?
If you have a subscription to a newspaper that is delivered to your house, you can use the newspaper once you are done. You can crumple it up and put it in the litter box for your cat to use.
Is cat litter the same as clay?
Well, it’s about the same. While the process for getting crystal cat litter isn’t exactly the same as clay it is still quite extensive and is fairly harmful for the environment.
How is cat litter produced?
The process for making the more traditional kinds of cat litter – clay and crystal versions – does hurt our environment a little bit.
What are the greener options for cat litter?
In some cases, there are eco-friendly options that are actual cat litter but that doesn’t mean all the alternatives have to be traditional cat litter. Here are a few alternatives for cat litter that are more environmentally friendly than traditional ones.
How do you dispose of clay cat litter?
Sadly, there is no way to dispose of your clay cat litter to ensure that it is less damaging to the environment.
How is clay cat litter obtained?
Clay cat litter is obtained through mining. This means that a ton of heavy equipment is needed to pull the clay out of the ground. These clay mines are hardly in the most accessible locations either. This means that you need a ton of trucks to haul the clay away. It isn’t like only a fraction of the clay is being used for cat litter, either.
What is the most popular cat litter in 2021?
July 23, 2021. Clay cat litter is the most popular cat litter on the market.
What is silica cat litter made of?
Silica cat litter is also made from sand. It takes a lot of processing to turn that sand into cat litter.
How much clay is used in cat litter?
About 30% of the clay pulled out of the ground in the US goes into cat litter production. This is several million tons of clay.
Is clay cat litter bad for the environment?
Final word. Clay cat litter is terrible for the environment. Not only is your clay cat litter going to sit in a landfill forever, but the mining process to make the clay cat litter is terrible for animals and land . Clay is not a renewable resource. Therefore, if you can, always try to purchase biodegradable cat litter.
Can you bag cat litter?
If you can, you can try and bag the cat litter up in a biodegradable bag.
What are the best products to use to reduce the environmental impact of cat litter?
GREENER PRODUCTS. One way to improve and limit your environmental impact with cat litter is to switch to a renewable type of litter made from plant-based materials. You can find litters made from wood (cedar chips, pine pellets), wheat, beet pulp, and other biodegradable substances.
What is the oldest form of cat litter?
HOW CAT LITTER IS MADE. The oldest form of cat litter – well, after the boxes of ashes or sand people used prior to 1950 – is clay-based, thanks to clay’s great absorbent properties. Most scoopable cat litter is an extension of the format, adding sodium bentonite (a specific type of clay) which forms clumps when exposed to moisture.
What does a catgie mean?
Having a CatGenie means you never have to deal with cat litter – especially soiled cat litter – ever again. Now that’s living the dream! So get out there and go green with your cat box – and let us know how the CatGenie works for your cats! FURTHER READING. Digging Deeper: The Scoop on Cat Litter.
Where is bentonite clay mined?
Unfortunately, the majority of sodium bentonite in America is strip mined in Wyoming. Strip mining is as bad as it sounds. Also known as surface mining, the mining company bulldozes everything ...
How does mining affect the environment?
This type of mining destroys the local environment, displaces wildlife due to habitat loss, and can contaminate water tables. Many mining companies today (often thanks to state laws) have improved their practices to include restoring the stripped land by reclamation.
Is clay litter biodegradable?
Then there’s the matter of waste. Clay and silica-based litters are not biodegradable – they’re already in their final form – clay or silica. It’s not going to break down. Instead, it’s going to sit in our landfills and not go anywhere, continuing to pile up. According to the Washington Post, in the United States, there are 5 billion pounds of clay mined each year to be used for kitty litter.
Is cat litter bad for the environment?
Cat litter can be a dirty business, with a huge impact on the environment – and we’re not just talking about what comes out of our precious kitties! If you’re interested in safeguarding our world and leaving the Earth a better place, you have to look beyond your personal carbon print – you should examine how your pets are impacting the environment as well. For cat owners, that means facing the litter problem.
Why Trust Treehugger?
She has only the highest of standards for her best friends. Lorraine also holds a Master’s degree in environmental science and is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their families, their pets, and our planet.
What is the best cat litter for a sore cat?
Ökocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented cat litter is a great choice because its softness will appeal to your sore kitty and their delicate feet. Made from sustainably sourced, natural wood fiber that has been responsibly rescued, its texture is similar to clay.
What is corn based cat litter?
Corn-based cat litters are made from finely-ground whole corn kernels or ground corn cobs. The cobs are more environmentally-friendly because a waste product is being given a new purpose, and they biodegrade.
What are alternative litters made of?
Alternative litters are made from a variety of materials alone or in mixtures including paper, corn, walnuts, wheat, wood, pine, and grass. Here are the best eco-friendly cat litters:
What is the best litter for cats?
Perhaps the best part is the litter is 100% pine shavings. It has a naturally fresh pine scent while also being lightweight and gentle for cat paws. No additional ingredients also means no added toxins, allergens or other preservatives. It can be found at most major pet retail stores and even many grocery stores.
How to keep cat litter from getting dusty?
With any cat litter, pour in a ventilated area to reduce your exposure to dust, and always wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up.
Is clay cat litter good for the environment?
Clay-based cat litter may be the most common—and therefore the most affordable and widely available—choice on the market, but it is not considered good for the environment (see the FAQs below). In addition, clay cat litters often have added silica which generates dust.
Is silica gel litter safe for cats?
Silica gel litter is safe for cats. This is NOT the same as crystalline silica gel that’s found in those little preservative packets (you know, the ones that say THROW OUT, DO NOT EAT). Silica cat litter is made from amorphous silica gel, not the crystalline that’s used in those packets.
Is silica litter expensive?
If you examine the cost per pound of silica gel litters vs clay (both clumping and non-clumping versions) it appears significantly more expensive.
How long does a silica litter last?
Silica-based litters are advertised as lasting up to 30 days, but the length of time will vary depending on how many cats you have, and your cat’s urine volume. If you have many cats using the litter box, or a cat that pees excessively, it probably won’t make it the full 30 days.
How to make cat litter with silica gel?
Step 1: Fill litter box to approximately 2 inches in depth with crystals. When using a cat litter made of silica gel, you want to make sure you fill it high enough that your cat’s urine (or at least most of it) doesn’t reach the bottom of the pan, otherwise, it won’t be absorbed as effectively.
Why do silica litters wear out?
The reason for this is that unlike clumping clay litters which can last a very long time if you keep the box clean, eventually, silica litters wear out. Its ability to absorb liquids slowly deteriorates, so they become saturated and just begin to turn a bit sludgy.
How is silica gel cat litter made?
It’s produced by taking the sand particles and mixing them with water and oxygen. This creates very small pores within the crystals that are incredibly absorbent – each piece can hold approximately 40x its weight in fluid.
How long can you keep silica litter?
This type of litter is able to be used for quite a while (up to a month) before needing to be dumped out since after the silica gel crystals get filled with moisture, absorb smells, and evaporate, they’re able to continually repeat that process.
How is cat litter produced?
The process for making the more traditional kinds of cat litter – clay and crystal versions – does hurt our environment a little bit.
What are they made of?
Natural cat litters are often made of renewable materials like wheat, corn and pine. The majority of them are also already recycled waste materials so these cat litters are finding a way to reuse the materials we’re already throwing away.
What is the best material for cat litter?
Similar to wheat, corn can be used as a material for cat litter. Corn has similar properties for wheat for being absorbent and then natural enzymes found in it can help reduce the amount of odor coming from the litter box. Corn-based litter will clump up very similar to the way traditional cat litters do, so you can easily scoop it out in the same way.
Is pine chip litter good for cats?
There are some cat litter options made of dust-free pine chips. These are very environmentally friendly as they’re coming from a natural source, and they’re biodegradable. Additionally, the pine chips will help provide a fresh scent in your home to help cover the typical litter box smells.
Can you use wood shavings for litter box?
This material is often used as bedding for these pets but it’s also absorbent so there’s no reason it can’t be used in a litter box situation.
Can you put a newspaper in the litter box?
If you have a subscription to a newspaper that is delivered to your house, you can use the newspaper once you are done. You can crumple it up and put it in the litter box for your cat to use.
Is cat litter the same as clay?
Well, it’s about the same. While the process for getting crystal cat litter isn’t exactly the same as clay it is still quite extensive and is fairly harmful for the environment.
How Is Cat Litter produced?
Alright – What About Crystal Cat Litter then?
- Well, it’s about the same. While the process for getting crystal cat litterisn’t exactly the same as clay it is still quite extensive and is fairly harmful for the environment. The crystals do come from strip mining, but is made from sodium silicate sand. This material is the same thing that can be found in those tiny packages that come in new products to absorb moisture, and often say “Do …
What Are They Made of?
- Natural cat litters are often made of renewable materials like wheat, corn and pine. The majority of them are also already recycled waste materials so these cat litters are finding a way to reuse the materials we’re already throwing away. Some cat owners have been hesitant on switching to natural cat litters because they are worried that the natural options won’t absorb the moisture, a…
What Are The Greener Options For Cat litter?
- In some cases, there are eco-friendly options that are actual cat litter but that doesn’t mean all the alternatives have to be traditional cat litter. Here are a few alternatives for cat litter that are more environmentally friendly than traditional ones.
How Is Cat Litter produced?
- The process for making the more traditional kinds of cat litter – clay and crystal versions – does hurt our environment a little bit. The clay version of cat litter is made from bentonite clay, which is pulled from the earth using a process called strip mining. However, to get to the clay portion, the topsoil and vegetation must be removed and disp...
Alright – What About Crystal Cat Litter then?
- Well, it’s about the same. While the process for getting crystal cat litterisn’t exactly the same as clay it is still quite extensive and is fairly harmful for the environment. The crystals do come from strip mining, but is made from sodium silicate sand. This material is the same thing that can be found in those tiny packages that come in new products to absorb moisture, and often say “Do …
What Are They Made of?
- Natural cat litters are often made of renewable materials like wheat, corn and pine. The majority of them are also already recycled waste materials so these cat litters are finding a way to reuse the materials we’re already throwing away. Some cat owners have been hesitant on switching to natural cat litters because they are worried that the natural options won’t absorb the moisture, a…
What Are The Greener Options For Cat litter?
- In some cases, there are eco-friendly options that are actual cat litter but that doesn’t mean all the alternatives have to be traditional cat litter. Here are a few alternatives for cat litter that are more environmentally friendly than traditional ones.