Caring cat owners always strive to ensure that their pets are healthy and safe and also the environment is well protected. They are made from clay and clumping that may take hundreds of years to decompose and thus pollute the ecosystem. Thank God for this because the organic and environmentally friendly cat litter choices seem to be on the rise. The aim of these sustainable litters is to make sure that you are able to minimize your impact to the environment while still making sure that your cat is able to have a good place to lay down and have its bowel movement.
Biodegradable Litters
Hypoallergenic cat litters are made from materials that decompose through some process more quickly than regular litters. Most of them are plant-derived through techniques like pine extraction, wheat straw, and corncob. As such, these litters can safely enter the ecosystem if there is no use of clay or silica gel. A common benefit of biodegradable litters is that most of them can be flushed down the toilet, but make sure to read the label as some litters may decompose at a slower rate than others.
Pine litters have a nice smell that does not stink, or at least it does not smell bad; it also takes in odors well. Pine pellets also swell when water is added to the scenario and create a cushiony layer that is gentle on paws. They biodegrade over a matter of weeks provided they are not disposed in landfill sites. Wheat and corn options are also resistant to odors, and they feel familiar. It means that one needs to look for litters with labels from organizations such as the Biodegradable Products Institute to validate sustainability assertions.
Recyclable Paper Litters
There are some organizations that are using waste paper to create cat litter, and this means that trash has also been given a way forward. Such litters are very efficient when it comes to absorbing moisture and odor that might be present. After using paper litter, you can bury it in compost or dispose it off by flushing, although one should ensure that they adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations. There is less waste created by paper litters as opposed to clay litters that lie in the dump for months or even years.
Silica Gel Crystals
There are feline litter alternatives that are biodegradable and preferred by those cats that like the silica gel crystals. These should not be confused with unsafe crystal cat litters that are made from small pieces of plastics: these are made of silica dioxide sand which is non toxic mineral. These crystals are very hydrophilic, which draw down fluids to maintain dryness of the surface of the crystals. It is therefore important to look for brands that support the environment by having an eco-friendly touch to them since the silica crystals are not biodegradable by nature. But they can be recycled, reused or used for other purposes rather than being ‘thrown away’.
Green & Compostable Litters
It is still possible to find some litters that are environmentally friendly and can be easily scooped with compostable materials. The brands listed below are environmentally sensitive and incorporate elements such as recycled coconut husk, bamboo, and certified compostable bioplastic into their products. Make sure that the “green” litters are certified in some way, shape or form to BPI or European EN 13432 for commercial compostability, if possible, check the packaging. One is to scoop and then mix the litter along with other solid waste that you may have into the compost pile.
Consider Your Cat’s Needs
Although saving the planet is a good thing, there are certain factors that can make your cat be picky as well. It is important to pay close attention to their conduct when changing the type of litters that are used in their cages. It is worthy of note that cats have a preference for fine grain scoopable litters that they can work around in. Lightweights litters may be easily ejected from the box, or thrown out of the box as the case maybe. These signs include: if your cat is avoiding the litter box, urinating outside the litter box, or showing signs of stress, try another eco-litter. As for selective eaters, there is evidence that using cat attractant sprays will make the switch less difficult. Its convenience is what you want for your cat, and still, choose the right products that are friendly to the earth.
Cost Comparison
It is worth owing that the environmentally friendly cat litters are usually costly in the initial stages. Though, their implications may cost more, but savings and performance in environmental aspects may balance costs at certain times. There are litters such as the pine pellets that are able to expand and hence you will need to use lesser litter in the process of changing it. Also, silica crystals and other fine litters allow you to put a very thin layer on the bottom of the cage. Therefore, the high absorbent paper and plant base litters demand a lesser number of total change procedures. Reusable items such as crystals can last for years if washed appropriately, making them reusable options. Whichever bag is cheaper, it becomes the best one but do so in terms of cost per usage instead of the price of the bags.
Disposing of Litter Sustainably
In switching to an eco-friendly litter for your cat, think of disposal of the litter as well. Standard clay litters should be disposed of in the trash because it is supposed to last and can have a negative effect on the environment. Nevertheless, more degradable options enable flexible recycling in creative ways. Scoopable litters made of compostable materials can also be placed in the home compost bins after use. All paper litters and silica crystals might be accepted in recycling programs in certain locations. It is important to consult local standards regarding disposability of the components and their compostability or recyclability to avoid any issues with the environment.
Eco-Friendly Litterbox Liners
To incorporate green concept in litter setup, one should also seek an eco-friendly litter box liner. Reduce the use of plastic bags in trash bins by using plant based biodegradable bags or recycled paper as well as compostable materials. Select unbleached paper mop mats instead of synthetic fibers that release microplastics. All accessories used while cutting are made from environmentally friendly products to create a completely eco-friendly environment.
Small Changes, Big Difference
Swapping your cat to an ecofriendly litter may seem like a challenge. But take it slow and know that these efforts can add up and create a real positive impact. The cat is said to generate approximately 300 pounds of kitty litter waste in one year. So even if one feline changes to environmentally friendlier products, that reduces hundreds of pounds of clay, silica and plastic from going to the landfill each year. When one considers other countries with 94 million pet cats in the United States alone, these small but sustainable changes are capable of affecting environments for the better for decades. In making a choice of which litter type to use by selecting the biodegradable, compostable, recyled as well as reusable litters, one is actually investing in the future of the cats, including the feline species yet to be born.