Choosing the right litter is often difficult for cat owners—and understandably so. There are so many brands, compositions, and prices available on the market.
Similar to pet food, litter brands are proposing more and more products that are environmentally-friendly. In this article, we want to help you understand what plant-based litter is and the main advantages and disadvantages of it. We hope that it will help you make your choice.
Before going over the characteristics of plant-based litter, it's important to point out that over 200,000 tons of litter are sold every year in France. That is for around 15 million cats in the country. As you can might imagine, this generates a considerable amount of waste for pet parents with one or more cats.
The characteristics of plant-based litter
To begin with, a plant-based litter is made from 100% natural plant matter, with no additives. This excludes litter made from minerals.
A wide variety of raw materials are used in the composition of plant litter. These include wood, corn, hemp, barley, fruit fibers (coconut, cocoa, etc.) or, more commonly, paper or straw.
Thanks to the 100% natural composition, plant-based litters are ecological and compostable.
Advantages and disadvantages of plant-based litter
What are the advantages of plant-based litter?
As explained above, the main advantage of plant-based litter is its 100% biodegradable properties. Because of this, it's environmentally-friendly, unlike mineral litter, for example. In a world where the amount of waste is becoming a daily preoccupation, it's important to note that plant-based litter can be composted or, in some cases, poured down the toilet (without cat droppings, which could cause the drains to malfunction).
However, if you wish to compost your cat's litter, it's advisable not to use it for your vegetable garden—only around inedible flowers and plants. This is to avoid any risk of transmitting toxoplasmosis. This parasite can be active for up to a year.
In addition to being good for the environment, plant-based litters are also good for your pet's health and your own. The natural composition of this type of litter produces no toxic dust. And there's no risk of allergies to pesticides, perfumes or bleaching agents.
Last but not least, plant-based litter is much lighter than other types of litter. As it's not as heavy as other litter types, it can prove to be more practical on a daily basis.
What are the disadvantages of plant-based litter?
Plant-based litters have many advantages, as mentioned earlier. However, it's still important to know that this type of litter is generally more expensive. As the budget dedicated to pets is generally already high, some people consider litter the least important product and prioritize low costs.
Another disadvantage of plant-based litters is that they are often less absorbent than clay litters. Therefore, it's necessary to change it more often to avoid bad odors.
How do you choose the best plant-based litter for your cat?
If you're convinced that using plant-based litter is right for your household, you have definitely narrowed down the field of possibilities when it comes to choosing a litter. However, it's important to know how to choose the right kind for your cat.
Several factors will allow you to choose a suitable litter for your cat and your values. We recommended paying attention to the litter's performance. For example, has it been absorbent enough? To what degree does it eliminate or limit bad odors? Is there a lot of dust from the litter?
Natural composition is important, but you may also be interested in the percentage of recycled products (e.g. wood chips, which come from wood industry waste). This allows waste from different industries to be recycled, and ensures traceability. Still regarding composition, beware of substances that may be added to the litter. Some may be harmful to your health and that of your cat.
You can also choose between clumping and non-clumping natural litter. To decide between these two options, you need to know how your care for the litter. Clumping litters make it easier to remove urine, since the litter forms small, compact balls when in contact with the litter. This not only extends the life of the litter and saves money, but also limits odors.
Lastly, make sure to test the product to make sure it's right for your cat. Depending on textures and smells, your cat may or may not be more inclined to use it properly. Don't hesitate to set up a second litter box for the transition. You can also mix different types of litter for the transition from one product to another.
Have you heard of this type of litter?
