Softwood/pine pellets are NOT good to use as cat litter, bit HARDWOOD pellets are okay to use. Hardwood pellets are made from trees that are a hard wood, where as softwood pellets are made from soft wood trees such as pine.
How to get your cat to use pellet litter?
- Start with a scoop that has small enough slats to keep the good pellets from falling through. ...
- Scoop the poop as usual, removing the turds.
- Scooping the urine will be the opposite of how you scoop clay litter. ...
- Start at one end of the box and brush through the pellets to find the sawdust and sift it out into your trash and voila… you’re done!
What is the best litter box for a cat?
- Consider your cat's age. Fine-grained cat litter isn't suitable for kittens under three months old because they can inhale the small particles, causing illness.
- Take cues from your cat. ...
- Don't change brands too quickly. ...
- Consider placing a mat under your cat's litter box. ...
What is the best natural cat litter?
Types of Natural Cat Litter
- Walnut. Crushed walnut shells are a great natural litter that is soft and absorbent. ...
- Green Tea. Green tea litter is flushable and creates very little dust, even when you dump it into the pan. ...
- Recycled Paper. ...
- Wood Fiber. ...
- Coconut Shell. ...
- Grass. ...
- Wheat. ...
- Corn. ...
What cat litter should I use?
- non-clumping cat litter – 15 pounds per week or 60 pounds per month
- clumping cat litter – 7 to 10 pounds per week or 28 to 40 pounds per month
- paper cat litter – 25 pounds per week or 100 pounds per month
Are hardwood pellets safe for cats?
Are wood or pine pellets toxic to cats? No. Though pine and other woods naturally contain phenol, which is toxic to cats, a majority of wood pellets are treated with a process called kiln drying. This process causes a majority of phenol to evaporate, making wood pellets safe for cats.
What type of wood pellets are best for cat litter?
Our top pick is the Okocat Mini Pellets Unscented Clumping Wood Cat Litter. Its super-absorbent pellets control odors effectively, and it was much easier to clean than other clumping and non-clumping litters. It's more expensive than some of the competitors, but it beats them in odor control and tracking.
Can you use wood pellets from Home Depot as cat litter?
I haven't seen this posted yet, but we use wood pellets from Home Depot kitty litter for our two cats and it's been great. The pellets act as a sawdust sponge that expand and soak up moisture when they get wet so the litter is always fairly dry with no noticeable smell.
Are wood pellets better than cat litter?
Wood pellets are cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but clumping litter tends to do a better job at controlling odors in addition to being more convenient to clean. However, it also produces dust and is more expensive.
Are wood pellets toxic?
Pellets can emit Carbon Monoxide. Unnoticed, the Carbon Monoxide can quickly build up to toxic levels. Carbon Monoxide will be present wherever Wood Pellets are transported & stored. Workers must be informed of the significant risk and dangers of carbon monoxide exposure associated with Wood Pellets.
Is wood litter safe for cats?
It is 100% natural: typical wood pellet litter doesn't have any added scents or chemicals. Its disposal options are varied, useful, and easy: You can flush down most types or use them as compost. Wood pellet litters weigh lighter than standard clay litter. They are entirely safe for your cat.
How often should I change wood pellet cat litter?
Wood and pine pellet litter should be cleaned daily. Sift sawdust at least once a day and scoop solids as soon as possible after use. With a consistent cleaning routine, pellet litter should only need to be changed about once every four weeks.
Is Feline Pine the same as wood pellets?
TCS Member. Feline Pine disintegrates (becomes "fuzzy stuff") when urinated in. Wood pellets are essentially the same thing, just cheaper.
How do you dispose of wet wood pellets?
Even though wood pellets are biodegradable, they must be disposed of properly — by being composted or bagged and sent to the landfill. Dumping litter on public property or someone else's property is illegal. Doing so on your own property poses risk to wildlife, and is also illegal in some jurisdictions.
How do you switch from litter to pellets?
How to transition from litter to pelletsStart with a one-inch layer of pellets. Without mixing, top with two inches of your old litter.After a week or two, switch to a two-inch layer of pellets with one inch of your old litter on top.After another week or two, use all pellets.See how your cat adjusts.
Can I use rabbit pellets as cat litter?
If you're looking for a pellet-based litter, visit the rabbit or horse section of the store. A 50-pound bag of grass or alfalfa pellets can often be found for less than $20. For an alternative to pine cat litters, it's worthwhile to investigate wood-stove pellets.
Three: Transition The Litter Boxes
Remember that you want an alternative box for the cats as long as possible. If your cats are using the wood pellet only box, transition their old clay litter box. If they don’t want to use the wood litter at all, transition the new box until they get the hang of it. When they do, you can switch their old one out.
Wood Pellets Chips Or Shavings
You can purchase wood pellet cat litter at the pet store, but you may quickly notice that it is more expensive than clay cat litter.
Can You Use Pelletized Bedding For Cat Litter
Horse bedding pelleted bedding for horses, also called equine bedding, can also work for cat litter even though it is not specifically marketed as such. However, it is made of 100% pine, just like the cat litter brands and its much less expensive. You can find this stuff sold at places like Tractor Supply.
Runner Up: Yesterdays News
The very appropriately named Yesterdays News is another great option and our runner-up! Made from recycled newspaper, this is one of my favorite options not only because its made from recycled materials which really takes the eco-friendliness up a level but also because it comes in pellet form.
Corn & Wheat Cat Litter
Corn and wheat litter usually comes in the form of pellets but they are both clumping litters because they contain starch, which is a natural binding element.
What Will My Cat Think Of Wood Pellet Litter
Maybe we should have started here! After all, wood or pine pellet litter could be the best in the world but if your cat wont use it then what good is it!?
Kocat Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Made with biodegradable material, this lightweight and soft cat litter have up to 500% of absorption, which can help to block kittys odor for up to 7 days.
Why are wood pellets cheaper than other litters?
[4] [5] Cost-effective: Wood pellets are much cheaper than other litters because most of them are made from leftovers found in a lumber mill.
Why do cats not stick to wood pellets?
This prevents your cat from licking their paws and catching gastrointestinal obstructions. It will save your cats from developing severe litter allergies because it is virtually dust-free.
What happens when a cat defecates in a litter box?
When the cat defecates in the litter box filled with wood pellets, they absorb the liquid like tiny sponges and lock the odor . Then it will crumble down into sawdust. Scoop out the solid waste and shake the box so that sawdust filters down to the bottom.
What are wood pellets made of?
They are eco-friendly because its substrate is wood. Wood pellets are made of the compressed wood fiber. They are made from a variety of organic materials such as wood chips, wood shavings, sawdust, etc. They could be made from softwood trees such as pine, cedar, ...
What are the benefits of wood pellets?
Benefits Of Using Wood Pellets 1 Eco-friendly: Wood pellets are obtained from a sustainable and renewable source, so it is safe for the environment. It is bio-degradable and can be composted post usage. This reduces your cat’s carbon paw print. 2 Highly-absorbent: Wood pellets can quickly absorb up to 3 times their weight in moisture, i.e., they can absorb large amounts of liquid in a short time. That is why you can use it for a more extended period without replacement.
Can you overfill a litter box with wood pellets?
Refill the box again with some wood pellets. Wood pellets will expand when soaked, so do not overfill your litter box and waste litter. Compared to traditional cat litter, wood pellets have high absorptive power, so you needn’t change it frequently.
Is wood pellet compostable?
Compostable: As mentioned earlier, wood pellets are biodegradable. They can be composted and used in flower gardens as a natural fertilizer. No synthetic chemicals: Wood pellets do not have chemicals, additives, or artificial fragrances in it like commercial cat litters, so it is safer to use.
What is wood pellet litter made of?
Wood pellet litter is usually made from pine, and occasionally cedarwood. The pellets are made by first dehydrating the wood under high heat and then compressing them into small pellets. The pellets are surprisingly absorbent and that’s part of why they work so well as cat litter.
Is essential oil toxic to cats?
Essential oils are toxic to cats and according to the Pet Poison Helpline, “Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils.”
Is pine pellet safe for cats?
As I’ve already pointed out, products like the Tractor Supply Co’s brand of pine pellets are specifically labeled as safe for rabbits, cats, and horse s. There are also thousand of happy cat owners using that product every day.
Can you pick up litter made of grass?
Yep. you can pick up litter made from grass! Not only is this environmentally friendly , but it’s also very lightweight. My favorite out of the grass litters is SmartCat’s seed-based option which you can check out here.
Is it bad for cats to have dust?
Traditional clumping litters can be quite dusty. While that dust is annoying for humans in the house, it’s not great for your cat either. If that dust bothers you, how hard do your feline friend’s tiny lungs have to work to get rid of the dust?
Is corn based cat litter good for the environment?
Corn-based cat litters make an interesting alternative to wood and have many of the same environmental benefits since they both avoid mining. Of course, corn isn’t without its problems and the fact that up to 92% of corn in the US is genetically engineered might be a downside for some folks.
Can you take away litter from a cat?
Whatever method you use, never try to force the transition by completely taking away your cat’s existing litter. While this can work some of the time, when it doesn’t work you’ll end up with cat pee on the bathroom rug, loose plastic bags, or just about anything else that’s soft and pliable around the house.
How to tell if my cat is allergic to wood litter?
If your cat develops any signs of respiratory problems following a switch to a wood litter, stop use and contact your veterinarian immediately. Common signs of respiratory distress and asthma attacks in cats include: Rapid, shallow breathing. Breathing with an open mouth (similar to panting).
What are pellets made of?
their pellets are made from untreated wood. their pellets contain no additives or ingredients other than pure, natural wood. Be sure to explain that you intend to use their pellets as a cat litter, and are inquiring because of potential health concerns.
Is pellet cat litter cheaper?
The Benefits of Wood Pellets as Cat Litter. Wood pellets are generally the least expensive plant-based litter, and even cheaper when purchased in bulk. If you have a wood stove or already use equine bedding, buying pellets is multi-purpose.
Can horse bedding be used as cat litter?
Most horse bedding pellets can be used as cat litter. To be sure, contact the manufacturer to ensure they contain no additives and have been kiln-dried to remove phenol. Equine pellets are often a better choice than wood stove pellets, because they’re less likely to contain potentially harmful additives.
Can you use wood pellets as cat litter?
Some wood stove pellets are safe for use as cat litter, but some may contain phenol — an organic compound that is toxic to cats. Contact the manufacturer to ensure that their pellets contain no additives and have been kiln dried to remove phenol. Aside from phenol and allergens, wood stove pellets sometimes contain additives intended ...
Can you use pellets on a cat?
Using the wrong wood pellets with your cat can cause some serious health complications. If you’re going to use wood stove or horse bedding pellets as litter, it’s important to first understand the risks, so you can do so safely. Commercial wood and pine pellet litters are always safe to use.
Is wood pellet safe for cats?
Wood pellets specifically made and marketed for use as cat litter, like Feline Pine or Simply Pine, will always be safe for your pet. But if you’re considering using equine or wood stove pellets as litter, you’ll need to first make sure they’re safe. Contact the manufacturer to make sure that their pellets contain no potentially harmful additives ...
Overview of Wood Pellets
Wood pellet cat litter is just like it sounds. It is made from pellets of wood, most commonly pine. Other types of wood can be used too, but pine wood has a natural scent that it brings to the litter. That means that chemical fragrances don’t have to be used in order to mask odors.
Overview of Clumping Cat Litter
The clumping cat litter that is commonly used today is a variation of the original type of clay cat litter. It is made from small particles of different types of clay that stick together when exposed to moisture. It gives cat owners the ability to remove some of the used litter without having to empty out the whole litter box.
Other Things To Consider
A key factor when purchasing any product is price, and cat litter is no exception. Between these two types of cat litter, wood pellets tend to be the cheapest. Clumping litter costs more due to being made from clay, and you also have to consider the convenience of being easy to scoop.
Our Favorite Wood Pellet Cat Litter
This wood pellet cat litter is made with pine fibers, which will keep those smelly litter box odors in check and make your house smell naturally fresh at the same time. It is also free of chemicals so that your pet stays safe when using the litter box and you stay safe while cleaning it.
Our Favorite Clumping Cat Litter
This clumping cat litter is designed for multi-cat homes but works just as well in single-cat homes too (and you won’t have to change it as often). Baking soda in the formula helps to absorb odors. The litter will offer odor protection for up to seven days.
Conclusion
When choosing cat litter, it is important to make an informed decision to ensure that it works for both you and your cat. Wood pellets are cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but clumping litter tends to do a better job at controlling odors in addition to being more convenient to clean. However, it also produces dust and is more expensive.
