You can make DIY cat litter from shredded newspaper or wood pellets, often with added baking soda for odor control, by soaking paper, mixing with baking soda, drying, and forming into a litter, or by using readily available, cheap horse bedding pine pellets that crumble into sawdust when wet. The process involves shredding paper, mixing with soap and water, rinsing, adding baking soda, and drying, or simply using kiln-dried pine pellets in a sifting box, but homemade options need frequent changing for odor control compared to store-bought.
What Did People Use Before Kitty Litter? Before the 1940s, people used sand, ashes, dirt, or even sawdust to manage their indoor cat's business. It was dusty, smelly, and not very sanitary.
6 Sustainable Cat Litter Alternatives
Flour is extremely fine ground making for a great surface cats would love and it would be soft and gentle on their paws. Far superior in that regard than most commercial litters out there. Flour can also allow for decent clumping (think adding water to flour when baking and turning it into dough).
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often going undetected until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), which damages organs without obvious signs until blindness or seizures occur, notes Muirfield Animal Hospital, Pet Health Network, www.springwoodvets.com.au, Close Veterinary Clinic, Killarney Animal Hospital, Physicians Mutual Insurance, Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital, Nimbus Pet Hospital, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Covetrus North America, ASPCA Pet Insurance and PetCareRx. Other serious conditions include Hyperthyroidism, Heart Disease (like HCM), and Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis).
Any litter with sodium bentonite clay. Any litter with silica crystals or silica dust. Clay litters that claim to be dust-free (some sort of chemical dust suppressant was used)
Dish Soap, Baking Soda, and Newspaper
A great twist to the newspaper option, adding the elements of dish soap and baking soda to the mix will allow you to mask odor, and create a very easy to use litter.
Consider making your own cat litter from ground-up wheat berries and baking soda. Wheat is also a great eco-friendly cat litter option. You can even make your own by grinding up whole wheat berries into a coarse powder. This particular litter alternative is the one that resembles the texture of traditional litter.
Vets often discourage closed litter boxes because they trap odors, creating a stressful and unpleasant environment for cats with sensitive noses, and they make cats feel vulnerable by limiting their escape and ability to see potential threats, which can lead to anxiety or litter box avoidance and inappropriate urination/defecation, even though some studies show no universal preference if kept spotless.
During cats' history outdoors, they gravitated toward soft dirt or sand, given the granular consistency that made it easier to bury their waste. For this reason, modern indoor cats are naturally attracted to the feel of cat litter beneath their paws.
The preferred diet for cats was lean meat, but the importance of fats in the cat's diet was not understood. Horse-meat was available and was considered an excellent choice. It was not then known that horse-meat is not nutritionally balanced and can lead to dietary deficiencies in cats fed on nothing else.
In the wild, cats prefer to eliminate in soft sand. Your safest bet is an unscented, soft grain clumping or clay litter, rather than pellet or crystal litters. Other options like pine, newspaper and corn may confuse your cat.
Tests show that pyrolyzed rice hulls are most effective with feces. As soon as the litter comes into contact with feces, the moisture and odor are absorbed immediately and a film crust is formed on the surface to make it free of odor and easy to scoop up.
Mixing baking soda with the litter can help absorb pet urine odors. However, it's essential to maintain a consistent cleaning schedule, including scooping the litter, refreshing it, and washing the litter box, even if you use baking soda. Avoid scented baking soda options, as cats generally dislike artificial scents.
The golden rules for litter boxes are: provide one box per cat plus one extra (N+1), place them in quiet, accessible spots on each floor, scoop daily, offer unscented litter, ensure 2-3 inches of depth for digging, keep them away from food/water, and avoid covered boxes if cats dislike them. Cleanliness, placement, and adequate quantity prevent stress and accidents, promoting good feline hygiene and behavior.
If you're exploring cat litter alternatives, there are plenty of choices. Wood shavings, shredded paper, coconut coir, and horse bedding pellets can work well. Some pet parents use natural materials like potting soil or wheat-based litter for a more biodegradable solution.
To keep your cat happy with their litter box, follow the "N+1 rule" (one box per cat plus one extra), scoop daily, use unscented clumping litter in large, uncovered boxes, place boxes in quiet spots away from food, and ensure easy access on every floor. Regular full cleanings (washing with mild soap) and providing ample space are key to preventing accidents and odor.
The number one killer of cats depends on age and lifestyle, but cancer is the leading cause of death in older cats, while Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), accidents/trauma (especially for younger cats), and diseases like kidney/heart issues are major factors, with FeLV often cited as the top infectious killer. Causes range from diseases like FeLV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and FIP, to organ system failures (kidney, heart), and external factors like poisons or trauma.
You should avoid dusty, heavily scented clay litters with sodium bentonite and crystalline silica, as these pose respiratory risks (silicosis) and potential intestinal blockages if ingested by cats, especially kittens; also, be cautious with some corn/soy litters that may have aflatoxin, and generally avoid litters with strong perfumes or chemical preservatives, opting for low-dust, unscented, natural alternatives for better health for your cat and family.
Potting soil also has a very soft texture, but is not very absorbent. If you suspect your cat has a history of spending time outdoors and is likely to eliminate in your houseplants, you can try mixing some potting soil with your regular litter. Pellet-type litters or those made from citrus peels are not recommended.
One item in your home that you might think would be a good alternative to traditional cat litter is rice. You can indeed use rice as cat litter, but it probably won't be suitable in the long term for most owners.
Human foods to avoid for cats
Health Concerns: If your cat (or household members) has asthma or allergies, low-dust options like silica gel, paper, or pine litter may be better choices. Clumping clay litter can be dusty and may aggravate respiratory issues.
Uncooked meat and fish or raw eggs may contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Feeding raw bones should also be avoided as it increases the risk of choking or a blockage in their stomach. dairy. Most cats are lactose intolerant and consuming dairy products such as cheese can upset their stomach.