Does the word kitty litter make you think of messy dust clouds? Don’t worry, there have been great innovations in the past few years in the world of litter! Modern cat litter is kinder to the environment and our cats and strives to make our daily lives easier. There are a lot of options, but how do we decide which one is right for us?  

Criteria for picking a Kitty Litter

Here’s what we think are the most important points to look for when choosing a cat litter:

• Odor Control – You may think the smell is unpleasant, but Mr. Whiskers may flat out refuse to use a litter box with an off-putting scent. Some owners look for a litter that also deodorises, while others prefer an unscented or neutral formula.
• Low Dust – Not only can this spread around the house, but it can also be digested by your feline companion while cleaning their paws!
• Clumping – a lot of owners prefer a clumping litter as it is easier to clean and keeps smells in check. Some cats may also appreciate prefer the texture of a clumping litter. One very important note –clumping litter is not recommended for kittens under 4 months old. This type of litter can cause blockages in little kitties’ smaller intestinal tracks if they ingest it.
• Eco-Friendly – is the litter environmentally friendly both before use and after? Is it made from a sustainable source? Many litters can even be flushed after use and are safe for use in our septic systems without harming our oceans!
• Cat’s Welfare – does this litter improve our cat’s life and not cause harm? Is it soft on tender paws?

Now let’s look at some of the movers and shakers in the litter business…

Honey Care Tofu Cat Litter

Honey Care Tofu Cat Litter Honey Care Original Tofu Cat Litter is an unscented cat litter made of soybean by-products from tofu! It is biodegradable and eco-friendly as it can be easily scooped after clumping and flushed down the toilet. This product also absorbs liquid effectively, inhibits bacterial growth and helps maintain a hygienic litter box environment for your cat. One point that sets this litter apart is that it is dust free, which makes it great for cats (and cat lovers) with respiratory issues.

Tom & Pus Pine Wood Litter

An environmentally and economically safe cat litter! Tom & Pus Pine Wood Litter is made from 100% natural pine with no added chemicals. Dust-free and economical, Tom & Pus Pine wood Litter can be flushed or recycled into your garden, with no harm to the environment. Tom & Pus Pine Wood Litter also features longer-lasting odor control and you'll use 66% less than typical cat litters.

Nurture Pro Tofu Cat Litter Green Tea Cat Litter

Made from just four ingredients (tofu, green tea powder, corn starch and citric acid) this litter from the USA is biodegradable with no synthetic additives, chemicals or clay. It is flushable, dust free and easy on tender paws. There are a number of varieties available, but our in house favourite is the Green Tea scent.

Aatas Cat Kuick Klump Bentonite Cat Litter

Ultra absorbent bentonite cat litter is made from 100% natural clay. The specially treated clay granules are moisture magnets, which clump quickly upon contact with liquids. litter comes in a wide variety of scents including tofu, charcoal, peppermint, milk and grapefruit, among others! We also love this brand because they are super transparent with their sourcing, ethical practices and are committed to giving back to the furry residents of Singapore and the people who love them, through local donations and food drives. Thanks, Aatas Cat!

 DIY!

Are you a frugal eco-warrior, with a paper Shredder? We found a diy recipe for you! While looking into new innovations and options in the business of kitty business we stumbled across a recipe at Treehugger.com to recycle your newspapers into kitty litter. You can check out the link here and it may be a great option if you have all the tools and a few free hours and time to let it dry!

One last thing we can’t ignore about cats… If you have a cat, or really, even know one, you probably realize cats love humans but have their own ideas, personalities and merely tolerate our decisions for them. Ideally your kitty litter will check all the human and kitty requirements, be insanely ecofriendly, smell like morning dew and instantly vaporize our felines’ gifts into rose petals and rainbows. However, cats can have a very different definition of “suitable”. Sometimes the best kitty litter is the one Mr. Whiskers will actually use. So, if you are having getting him to use the litter box, try a different style, scent, texture or even location in the house! A great tip if you have a finnicky cat is to reach out to other cat owners you know and see if you can try a litter exchange with them.

Lynnette Provost

Lynnette is an avid animal lover and has moved to Singapore recently with her husband. Her hobbies include cooking and gardening and teaching her Singapore Special puppy Amaya new tricks!