How Often Do I Change Pine Pellet Cat Kitter
I've trieda lotof litter options over the years.
Not only with my own cats but I've also fostered hundreds of feline friends over the years and have rotated through just about every type of litter yous could think of. As if that wasn't plenty, I've too worked in several shelters where we tried many types of litter to observe what worked best.
Just later all that, at that place's ane type of true cat litter that I prefer over all others and that's woods pellet litter.
When compared to clay litter, there's really no competition. Wood pellet litter is easier on the environment, more price-constructive, smells better and my accented favorite is that it doesn't track! That means no more than picking litter off your feet anytime y'all footstep within xx feet of your cat's litter box.
Even amend, no more than finding litter in places like your bed!
The goal of this commodity is to give youeverything yous need to know well-nigh wood pellet litter for your cat. I've likewise added in a few of my favorite brands if you lot're interested in picking some up for your ain cat.
But when I say everything, I actually mean it. And so I highly suggest that you the tabular array of contents below to meet what'due south inside and track downwards what you're looking for.
Okay, What Exactly Is Woods Pellet Cat Litter?
Wood pellet litter is usually made from pino, and occasionally cedarwood. The pellets are made by first dehydrating the forest under high oestrus and then compressing them into minor pellets. The pellets are surprisingly absorptive and that'due south part of why they work so well as cat litter. In most cases, they can absorb betwixt 4 and 7 times their weight in liquid.
While at that place's a lot to love about wood pellet litter, the fact that there are no additives or chemicals required is a major plus. The pellets are made from natural ingredients and simply compressed nether high pressure- no chemicals required.
Forest pellets come up in a multifariousness of forms and there are several options on the marketplace that are specifically fabricated to be used every bit cat litter. Just some folks will besides utilise wood fuel pellets for their cats.
Equally long every bit you do your research, this can work just fine also as saving you lot quite a fleck of money. Regardless of what wood pellet brand yous utilise, you desire to make sure that information technology's kiln-stale which will remove unwanted compounds from the wood.
You utilise the wood pellets simply like you would with whatever other litter and nigh cats are happy to dig around and practise their business organization.
Where Does The Wood Come up From?
In most cases, scrap wood is used. While that can sound a little discouraging to some folks information technology's actually a good thing.
Call back, we're not trying to craft a perfect kitchen table with this wood- instead, we're request our cat to poop on it. So it would exist a bit of a shame to use a higher quality woods with the end goal of having our feline friend use information technology as a toilet.
It's also peachy to know that wood that would otherwise be thrown away is being put to good use.
Finally, by using scrap woods, manufacturers are able to go on the cost of wood pellet litter under control and extremely competitive with other options.
What Type Of Forest Is Used?
When it comes to woods pellets that are specifically made for cats, pine is by far the most popular. That's why yous'll often hear woods pellet cat litter simply referred to as pine pellet litter.
Then at that place are wood pellets that are made to be used as fuel but can also work for cats. These are normally softwood or hardwood. Softwood pellets near often contain pino along with other woods like bandbox, cedar, and juniper.
Hardwood pellets are usually made from oak, ash, or beech. There typically isn't a price difference between the two types simply the exact composition can vary a lot between manufacturers or even batches in some cases.
Does Woods Pellet Litter Clump?
Wood pellet litter doesn't dodder. Instead, when urine (or any other liquid) comes in contact with the woods pellets they interruption apart and start to form sawdust. Yous can clearly see where the urine is inside the box and can still scoop information technology but yous won't see the big clumps equally you'd expect in a traditional litter.
For some folks, this is a downside because over time the cleaved-upward pellets will motion the bottom and accrue. Simply if yous're already regularly emptying your unabridged litterbox (like me) then it shouldn't be much of a trouble.
But if y'allreally love clumping litter but still desire to dump the clay then you could bank check out something like OKOCAT litter which you lot tin see here on Amazon. We've got a full review of them towards the end of the commodity, but they're one of the brands that offeringclumping wood pellets.
Exercise I Need A Special Scooper?
Nope! In the majority of cases, your existing scooper is actually going to be perfect for wood pellets! But you lot're just going to utilize it a niggling differently than you might await.
How Do I Scoop Wood Pellet Litter?
Remember, when cats pee on the forest pellets they start to break up into sawdust-like clumps. About scoopers have narrow holes that are besides big for the wood pellets to pass through but small enough for the sawdust bits to fall through. When y'all scoop, you'll want to place a trash bag under the scooper to collect the peed-on pellets and dump the clean ones back into the box.
With clumping litter, you lot let the dirty clumps stay in the scoop while the clean litter falls back in the box. Only with wood pellets, we're doing just the contrary and letting the dirty and broken-upward pellets fall into a trash bag while the clean pellets stay on the scoop.
Not making sense?
Check out this video to see exactly how this is done:
You can meet that she'southward using a regular old scooper which works because the pellets are also large to fall through.
But what about the poops?
In the video to a higher place, y'all can see that she's using a bag to merely pick upward the poops. I actually utilize doggy bags and it's admittedly a trivial gross and certainly not for everyone. However, the pick-upwardly-a-poop method works really well for wood pellet litter since the clean pellets aren't going to fall through the scoop similar they would with traditional litter.
You tin too simply employ your existing scooper to remove the poops and consider the surrounding clean pellets collateral damage.
Simply if you want to be every bit conservative as possible, y'all can check out a scooper with large holes in it that will let pellets pass through. This elementary scooper on Amazon has openings large enough for pellets and volition work perfectly. Bank check out the reviews to hear from other pellet litter users, as well.
Do I Need A Special Litter Box for Woods Pellets?
Nope, most litterboxes will work only fine with wood pellets, and while there are litterboxes that are particularly designed to exist used with woods pellets they aren't required. If you're already using a standard open up box or even an enclosed litterbox then that's all yous need for woods pellets.
Volition Wood Pellets Work With Sifting Litterboxes?
Sifting litterboxes are typically designed for small litter that clumps. The thought is that you can milk shake out the skillful litter and get out the clumps of urine or stool in the shifter to be tossed out.
The trouble is that wood pellets are too large to motility through most sifters and so the clean ones tin can't become separated from the balance.
However, sifting isn't a total waste. When cats pee on the forest pellets, the urine is absorbed and the pellets first to suspension apart. A shifting litter box can help pull out some of these pellets that have broken apart and improve the cleanliness of the box. You'll still need to scoop, of course, but by sifting yous tin go more mileage out of your make clean pellets.
This might be a little difficult to imagine if y'all've never seen wood pellet litter break apart afterward it gets moisture so check out this video (which besides features a very cool DIY box) for how this works:
What about sifting litterboxes specifically made for wood pellet litter?
Those are few and far betwixt. The main reason is that the litter doesn't clump then the sifting is just unlike. Instead of sifting the expert litter to the bottom tray, equally you lot would in a traditional sifting box, in the case of pellets you actually want to push the cleaved-upward pellets to the bottom.
Once more, if that's making sense cheque out the video above which gives you a quick and clear illustration of this.
Besides the DIY option, one of the more pellet-friendly litter boxes on the market is the Tidy Cats organisation which you can bank check out here on Amazon. Even though the litterbox is made for pellets that are made of zeolite which is a firm, non-toxic mineral they can nevertheless work wood pellets.
Volition It Piece of work In An Automatic Litter Box?
In most cases, wood pellet litter isn't a expert fit for automatic litterboxes. That'south considering most automatic litterboxes use a sifting mechanism that but won't work with wood pellet litter and virtually of them are built around the use of clumping litter.
Every bit the folks at LitterRobot explicate, "No, Feline Pino pellets are also large to laissez passer through the sifting screen, which prevents the litter sifting system from working properly. Feline Pino clumping is also likewise fluffy to effectively pass through the sifting screen."
Is It Dusty?
While wood pellet litter has a bit of a reputation for existence dusty, any quality brand will be almost entirely dust-free. This is specially true for wood pellets that are made specifically for cats as opposed to brands that are made for fuel or heating.
Information technology's besides going to depend on how y'all're using it. When I worked at i of the largest shelters in the United States, we would regularly fill up 50-gallon trash cans with forest pellet litter. Then when you lot dump several bags of wood pellet litter into a giant trash can then you will accept some dust!
But for most folks that aren't dumping several bags of this effectually you won't notice much dust. Brands like Feline Pine, which you can see here on Amazon, do a great job of reducing dust to a minimum.
Is Wood Pellet Litter Messy In Other Ways?
Nope, not at all!
The cleanliness of this litter is actually one of the biggest reasons why I switched to pellet litters in the outset place! I was tired of having little pieces of litter testify upwards just near everywhere in the house! Even with rugs and special pads my trivial cat was still able to somehow runway the litter everywhere.
Woods pellet litter was as well used at the shelter I worked at and I saw firsthand that thousands (and thousands) of cats seemed to like information technology.
If y'all don't keep up with the box, the cleaved-up pellets can sometimes go tracked out of the box. Simply that's typically only if y'all're not keeping upwardly with cleaning so that shouldn't really be counted as a con confronting forest pellets.
How Does Information technology Handle Odor?
Woods pellets practice a not bad managing most litterbox odors!
Outset, they accept a natural wood scent that can help encompass upward stinky bathroom breaks. Most wood pellets are made from pine and so they have a mild pino smell that does a expert job keeping the box fresh-smelling.
I've heard from some folks that worry about the odour of pine acting as a deterrent for some cats. We know cats are sensitive to many smells just pino is typically not one of them! Retrieve, your cat's wild instincts are still live and your feline friend isn't going to be afraid of a trivial pine!
Instead, they're more likely to exist uncomfortable around unnatural scents and artificial fragrances that can sometimes exist found in clay or clumping litter. Not only do these scents just do an okay job of covering upwards the odour but they can also cause some kitties to avoid their litter box.
2d, wood pellets do a corking job absorbing the urine from your cat. Because they're made past compressing wood scraps undervery high pressure the pellets are compact and dumbo which makes them deed like footling sponges.
Not only does this assistance go along the box clean for your cat's next visit simply according to the folks at Energy Pellets of America the pellets also demark with ammonia and urine which helps neutralize aroma.
When it comes to stool, there isn't much that any litter can practice besides comprehend up the smell. Wood pellets do a solid task of that but if you want the litterbox expanse to smell as fresh equally possible and so regular scooping volition still be required. You lot may also want to consider irresolute up your cat'due south food to help manage stinky stools.
Is Wood Pellet Litter Safe For My Cat?
Yes! Forest pellet litter is actually i of the safest options out there because it is so darn uncomplicated.
Permit's break down the prophylactic benefits along with some of the potential risks y'all've probably heard about.
Decreased Dangers Around Ingestion
Ingestion of clay cat litter can happen a lot more frequently than yous might think. While information technology's typically not a problem in small amounts, information technology's yet piece of cake for the fine particles from clay litter to go stuck in your cat'southward paws and eventually end up in their tummy.
Nigh clay or clumping litter also contains sodium bentonite which is what helps the litter efficiently blot liquid. But instance studies have plant that sodium bentonite, if ingested in large enough amounts, tin exist toxic.
Nevertheless, the bigger run a risk for sodium bentonite litter comes from abdominal blockage. Because sodium bentonite can aggrandize several times its original size when exposed to liquid while besides hardening, it can expand in the tum resulting in a deadly blockage.
Nevertheless, the risk is low for almost cats. Merely information technology'due south also non-existent when using wood pellet litter that is not only gratuitous from sodium bentonite just is also much more difficult for your cat to ingest. Not only are the pellets larger, only also don't stick to paws in the same fashion.
Finally, we've also seen that fifty-fifty though wood pellet litter absorbs liquid, information technology also breaks apart when it does which decreases the chance of intestinal blockage.
Grit Inhalation
Traditional clumping litters can be quite dusty. While that dust is abrasive for humans in the house, it'due south not not bad for your cat either. If that dust bothersyou,how hard do your feline friend's tiny lungs have to piece of work to get rid of the dust?
The Oakland Press explains this very clearly: "Dust in traditional clumping litters tin irritate a cat's respiratory tract, causing it to sneeze, wheeze and cough afterwards using the litter box."
Near wood pellet litters are around 99% grit-free and typically put that label right on the handbag. Not only is that easier on your lungs, only also your cat's!
Litter Allergies
Similar to the problems around dust inhalation, some cats may have an allergic reaction to litter. Co-ordinate to Wag, " True cat litter that is especially dusty or has a lot of fragrance will cause cats with litter allergies more bug than fragrance-free and minimal dust litters."
While it tin can vary by brand, the majority of wood pellet litters are completely free of fragrance and artificial compounds.
However, information technology's not perfect and at that place'south a gamble that some cats could be allergic to wood but that'due south relatively rare.
What About Carbon Monoxide and Wood Pellets?
Forest pellets tin emit carbon monoxide and this has been documented in several studies.
Withal, these studies are looking at the industrial use of wood pellets where they've oft been used every bit a fuel source in industrial applications. They aren't looking at the 40-pound bag that you can pick up for your cat from Amazon. Instead, we're talking almost thousands and thousands of pounds of wood pellets all stored in 1 location.
Again, I've worked in shelters where we had hundreds of pounds of wood pellets simply because the space was big and ventilated we never had an issue. Even that is nada compared to the literal tons of wood pellets that are used for industrial applications.
That's not to say the risk doesn't exist. Just the risk for the boilerplate cat parent is extremely low unless you're storing a large number of wood pellets in a very small space.
What About The Dangers Of Pine Oils and Phenols?
The majority of wood pellet litter is made of pine and if you lot've done any research on pine pellets you've probably read about pino oils and phenols.
It's a confusing field of study in big part because in that location are so many brands of woods pellets litters out there. When many people talk about these concerns, they're referring to the pine pellets or wood fuel pellets that you lot can option upwardly at tractor supply stores. These are unremarkably a mix of woods, but pino is typically the virtually meaning component.
It's important to note that these products arenot made specifically made for cats and every bit a effect, you're not going to hear annihilation from the manufacturer about the appropriateness for cats. It's but not something they're going to annotate on.
Trust me, I've tried.
While researching this commodity I emailed a few companies and the reply looks something like this:
We can just recommend this product for it'south intended and labeled apply. We tin can't recommend any other employ to our customers nor can we take any responsibitly if the purchasers use our product for something other than what'southward intended. I hope that helps and cheers!
Not exactly the nigh helpful, but I sympathize.
So let'south accept a closer look at these two concerns why you should be aware of them.
The Risks of Pine Oil in Pine Pellet Litter
Essential oils are toxic to cats and according to the Pet Poisonous substance Helpline, "Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating sure toxins like essential oils."
While the showtime matter we probably remember of when information technology comes to essential oils are things like potpourri, essential oils are actually just any natural oil.
Some folks volition argue that pino pellet litter contains pine oil but the reality is the majority do non. Which is great news!
Because pino pellets are candy nether high estrus, usually in a kiln, the pine oil is removed. When buying pino pellets from a Tractor Supply Store, or similar type of shop, confirm with the store that the pellets have been processed via a kiln.
While it'due south rare to find wood pellets or pine pellet that will endorse use with cats or other modest mammals, the shop brand from Tractor Supply Co. lists it as safety for cats, rabbits, and horses. Information technology'southward too effectually five bucks for a 40-pound bag so it'south pretty darn tough to shell. Bank check it out here.
On the other hand, softwood pellets made strictly for fuel aren't going to be so transparent when information technology comes to pet condom.
The Risks of Phenol in Pine Pellet Litter
Phenol is closely related to pine oil and besides toxic to cats. It's present in pine products and fifty-fifty some pine-scented products like Pine-Sol and Lysol.
But in the aforementioned manner that the kiln process burns off pine oil, it will also burn off the vast majority of phenol.
Still, I wasn't able to find a specific report to support this and there is some debate and then it's e'er a skillful thought to contact the specific brand yous're interested in or just stick with one of the options in this article.
Talk To The Manufacturer To Be Sure
As I've already mentioned, most manufacturers aren't going to tell yous that their product is safe for something other than the intended use but you tin ask about their process for producing the pellets. More specifically, ask if a kiln is used at a high enough heat to burn off pino oil and phenol.
The Take a chance Is Depression With The Correct Brands
As I've already pointed out, products like the Tractor Supply Co's brand of pine pellets are specifically labeled every bit prophylactic for rabbits, cats, and horses. At that place are also thousand of happy cat owners using that product every day.
With trusted brands, the risk of phenol and pino is extremely depression and information technology's generally safe to say that the high heat kiln processing removes these compounds.
Is Wood Pellet Litter Better For The Surroundings?
You might be surprised to learn but how bad clay litter can be for the environment. Let'southward look at a few of the issues behind traditional litter.
Mining Clay True cat Litter
Just as the proper name implies, some of the well-nigh popular cat litters are made of clay.
That clay has to come from somewhere and the mining procedure isn't always the most eco-friendly. The fact is, most mining processes aren't environmentally friendly. They can cause erosion and depletion of natural resources among other issues.
But are wood pellets that much better?
Yes, only not by a huge margin. Subsequently all, that forest has to come from somewhere and the problems with harvesting wood are similar to those related to mining clay. The big difference comes from the fact that forest pellets are typically made from scrap. That means copse aren't existence chomped for the sole purpose of your cat's litter.
Mining Crystal or Silica Cat Litter
The materials required for crystal or silica true cat litter also require mining and the procedure isn't much better. However, the big trouble with this litter is the manufacturing process.
According to the folks at Rufus & Coco, "Crystal litter has more than ten times the CO2 pressure level of other litters, taking approximately v tonnes of coal to produce one tonne of silica gel, making it i of the worst litter products for our environs."
Ouch.
Wood Pellets Are Biodegradable
Wood pellet litter really stands apart from traditional options when it comes to the ecology bear uponafterit's been used.
Traditional litter takes a long time to decompose or in some cases isn't biodegradable at all. That ways it'southward going to the landfill and information technology'southward going to stay there for avery long time.
Forest pellets, on the other hand, are biodegradable which is a massive difference. Heck, yous tin even run into the pellets breaking autonomously later your cat urinates on them and over time they'll completely break apart. While I wouldn't recommend you lot go this route, would pellets are even compostable (more on that in the next department).
Is There Something More Environmentally Friendly Than Wood Pellets?
While forest pellets make a great option for eco-friendly true cat parents, in that location are other options that take it a stride further by using recycled materials. My absolute favorite is a product chosen Yesterday's News which uses recycled newspaper to create pellets. The pellets await very similar to the wood pellets and if you lot're not looking closely y'all probably won't even notice the difference.
Yous can learn more than nearly this pick and check the latest toll on Amazon past clicking here.
How Tin can I Dispose Of Wood Pellet Litter?
Because wood pellet litter has a much more balmy impact on the environment, you've got several options for disposal but the all-time option is nonetheless going to exist disposing of them in the trash. Because the wood pellets are biodegradable, they'll break apart over time.
Can I Flush Wood Pellet Litter?
Yes, you tin can but it'due south typically not the best practice. While the wood pellets will pause upwards enough to arrive through most pipes, information technology's not exactly easy on your plumbing and large amounts may crusade problems. But the bigger result comes from the hazard of toxoplasmosis which is a illness that tin be spread through the feces of cats.
Toxoplasmosis is one of the world'southward most common diseases and can cause a wide range of symptoms in humans depending on your historic period and overall health status. When cat poop is flushed down the toilet, along with wood pellets, information technology can push button toxoplasmosis into nearby bodies of water or even the human water supply in some cases.
When you consider that 1 written report found a prevalence as high as 74% in developed cats, it becomes clear that flushing wood pellets with poop on them is a bad idea. Not simply for the hazard information technology presents to humans but also other animals.
Researchers believe that flushing kitty litter could accept contributed to the death of hundreds of California otters. Autopsy results showed the presence of the toxoplasmosis parasite in the brain of the sea otters, which is unusual for bounding main creatures. While information technology could exist related to runoff from cats and other animals, in that location'southward a stiff example to be fabricated that kitty litter was the culprit.
And then even though wood pellets on their own are safe enough to be flushed down the toilet, it's notwithstanding non a proficient practice if they're being used for kitty litter.
What Near Composting?
Yous can compost woods pellets even after they've been used for cat litter merely there's a risk of toxoplasmosis contaminating your compost which means that the trash is still probably the best option for pooped-on wood pellet litter.
The fact that youcan compost wood pellets is a not bad testament to its environmental-friendliness. Merely if you lot go this route, yous need to make certain you're able to become the temperatures in your compost hot enough to kill off whatever toxoplasmosis that's present. The CDC recommends 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees celsius) to pull this off.
It's admittedly possible to go compost to that temperature only I wouldn't want to bet my health on it. Of course, you could create a compost pile just for true cat litter.
Does That Make The Trash Can The Best Pick?
Yes, the trash can is almost e'er going the best choice for disposing of used wood pellet litter. The hazard of toxoplasmosis to people and other animals is besides high to justify whatever of the options.
While yous could make an argument for composting or flushing litter that's only been exposed to urine, information technology's not a very compelling ane.
That's considering toxoplasmosis is transmitted via annihilation that has come up in contact with cat feces, including transmission via your cat'southward paws. Simply because y'all don't Ia true cat poop sitting on a pile of pine pellets it doesn't mean that they haven't been exposed throughout your cat'due south normal litterbox routine.
Instead, information technology makes more sense to consider the entire litterbox compromised and just stick with the trashcan. But you lot tin residue easier knowing that the wood pellets aren't going to be sitting in the landfill for the next 100 years!
Is Forest Pellet Litter More Expensive?
Far from it! In some cases, it's much less expensive.
As with annihilation else, you've got several brands to choose from with varying costs. The cheapest option, past far, is to go to your local feed store and selection up a 40 lb bag of pine pellet bedding or woodstove fuel for effectually 5 dollars. You really can't beat out that.
However, just continue in listen that not all these products are endorsed for cats and then you won't get the same kind of guarantees and make back up that yous'll get from products similar Feline Pino which are intended to be used for cats.
How Often Should I Change Forest Pellet Litter?
Forest pellet litter shouldn't need to be changed whatsoever more frequently than other litter. The biggest problem virtually folks have is a buildup of the sawdust bits on the lesser after they've been urinated on. A sifting litterbox tin can help manage this but so tin can regular scooping.
For the most office, I suggest irresolute the cat litter of any kind, including wood pellets, every 1 to 2 weeks. Once again, this will depend on how many cats use the box and your overall gear up simply that's mostly a good rule of thumb.
And so Are Wood Pellets Better Than Traditional Litter?
Wood pellet litter beats traditional options when it comes to cleanliness, ecology touch on, and cost so I'd debate that it's meliorate than traditional litter in the bulk of cases. The biggest downside for nearly folks is the fact that the scooping procedure is a niggling dissimilar and may take some getting used to.
While I experience that wood pellets are the better option, it's really upwards to yous to make up one's mind what makes the nigh sense for you lot and your feline friend. That's why I've put together a full list of the pros and cons for wood pellet litter vs traditional options.
Pros and Cons of Wood Pellet Cat Litter
Allow's start with everything that'due south great well-nigh wood or pine pellet cat litter.
Pros
✅ No bogus fragrances or chemicals required. While it can vary by brand, the majority of forest pellet litters are 100% natural!
✅ Doesn't rail out of the litterbox or get stuck to your true cat's paws as traditional litters tin can. That means less mess!
✅ Most brands are 99% dust-free which is neat for cats or people with sensitive respiratory systems.
✅ Wood pellets are much better for the surroundings when compared to clay or crystal cat litter which both require mining. Not only that, but woods pellet litter is biodegradable, unlike traditional litters which volition have up space in a landfill for the adjacent couple of decades (or longer).
✅ While it'due south not a pro for everyone, many folks love the natural smell of pine or other woods.
✅ Wood pellets are more often than not safer for cats since there'due south no sodium bentonite present.
✅ If you lot shop at tractor supply-blazon stores, you can pick up a 40-pound bag for around $5.
✅ Wood pellets are loftier-absorbant and do a peachy job soaking upwards true cat urine and neutralizing stinky ammonia smells.
Cons
❌ The biggest con for most folks is going to exist the fact that woods pellet litter doesn't clump. In fact, the scooping procedure is really the opposite of what you'd ordinarily do! Still, in that location are hybrid options like ÖKOCAT that offer pellet-mode plant-based litter that also clumps.
❌ Some cats may prefer traditional options and yous've got to make sure your feline friend approves of pine pellets! Yet, after working in shelter medicine for more than a decade I saw thousands and thousands of cats happily use wood pellet litter so most cats won't accept a trouble.
❌ For some folks, the smell of natural wood or pino is really a downside.
❌ Won't work with most automatic litterboxes like the Litter-Robot and but some sifting litterboxes will piece of work.
❌ While the pellets exercise a bully task of soaking up urine, the natural pine scent isn't always enough to overpower the smell of cat poops.
What Volition My True cat Recollect of Wood Pellet Litter?
Perhaps we should have started here! After all, forest or pine pellet litter could exist the best in the world merely if your cat won't use it then what good is it!?
You'll exist pleased to know that the vast majority of cats are quite happy to use wood pellet litter!
I worked at a shelter for more than than a decade and we eventually switched to using wood pellet litter for all the cats in the shelter. 99% of the cats were happy to use the woods pellets and with roughly x,000 cats coming through the doors a year, that'southward a pretty big sample size.
That beingness said, the shelter environs is very dissimilar from your dwelling house and cats will of form accept a preference only similar whatsoever other creature. Merely I've also fostered several hundred cats over the years and always use a pellet litter of some kind without any problems.
Even so, because cats have a history as desert dwellers, it's typically assumed that they prefer finer particles like sand or dirt litter and some cats will make you well aware of this preference. Simply in well-nigh cases, cats will exist happy to use woods pellet litter.
How to Innovate Wood Pellet Litter to Your Cat
There are several means to transition your cat to pine or forest pellet litter, and we'll review each one of them, only they all start with one simple pace…
Brand Sure You Have Enough Litterboxes
As a general rule of pollex, make sure you take a litterbox for each cat plus one. Then if you lot've got 2 cats, you'll want iii litterboxes.
Not only is the best do merely information technology volition as well exist important every bit we await at options for transitioning your cat to pine or wood pellet litter.
Even so, in that location are cases where your entire apartment may be the size of 1 large room, and the thought of adding multiple litterboxes seems a fleck excessive. I definitely acknowledge that at that place are some rare exceptions to the plus one litterbox rule only for transitioning to pellets you lot need to have an extra box.
You lot can selection upwardly a very upkeep-friendly option of Amazon and just put it away when the transition is consummate.
Option one: Alter the Mix
Over time, you tin can slowly alter the composition of your cat's litterbox by adding a little bit of wood pellets to their existing litter box. Eventually, you'll finish up with more wood pellets than traditional litter.
Take your time with this transition and requite your true cat enough of time to become used to the new litter. It's also a good idea to proceed one litterbox total of the erstwhile litter at the beginning. One time you run across your true cat start using the mix of woods pellets and traditional litter, yous tin can begin adding the wood pellets to all the boxes.
You can stretch the transition process out every bit long as you lot'd like and you should cater it to your individual cat. More stubborn cats are going to need more than time to transition to their new pine pellets.
Choice 2:Wood Pellet Potty Technique
Your other option is to plow one of the litterboxes into a wood pellet potty right out of the gate. You'll immediately be able to tell if your cat is going to have an consequence with the woods pellets and if they seem hesitant or avoid it then you may want to turn your wood pellet potty into a mix of the two litters.
Once more, you lot know your cat and how adaptable they. For my cat, this is the technique I used. But she'due south such a curious little cat that she was eager to explore the new changes and inside a mean solar day I found a footling poop that let me know wood pellets would be more acceptable.
Don't Force The Transition
Whatever method y'all use, never endeavor to strength the transition by completely taking abroad your cat's existing litter. While this can work some of the time, when information technology doesn't piece of work you'll end up with true cat pee on the bathroom rug, loose plastic numberless, or but about annihilation else that's soft and pliable effectually the house.
Fifty-fifty worse, if that addiction continues for whatever length of fourth dimension cats may decide that they adopt that new textile over the litter which will actually complicate things.
Keep The Forest Pellet Box SuperClean
Cats similar a clean place to do their business organization. and then to make the new forest pellet litter more highly-seasoned make certain you're scooping or even replacing the litter as speedily equally possible. Not to be gross but you'll besides desire to leave the non-wood pellet boxes merely a trivial bit dirtier.
But that doesn't mean you end scooping altogether! Information technology just means that you go along the woods pellet box a little chip cleaner to encourage your cat to use the new pellets. They might be a niggling hesitant about trying something new, but if one choice is cleaner than the other then they're likely to requite it a endeavor.
Consider Cat Attract By Dr. Elsey
Cat Attract is an herbal additive that is designed to attract cats to a litterbox. It's frequently used for kittens that are just learning to use the litterbox but it's also a neat option to help manage house-soiling cats. You can bank check the latest price and read more reviews on Amazon by clicking here.
Don't expect it to work any miracles but it can be a useful part of your toolkit for transitioning your cat to wood pellets!
How to Pick The Best Woods Pellet Litter
I've mentioned several times that you have dozens of options when it comes to wood pellet litter. You can choose from wood composites, wood fuel pellets, pine equine pellets, cat-specific products like Feline Pino, and more.
Then how practice you choose which woods pellet makes sense for you lot?
Let's break downwardly some of the key criteria to look for that will aid you make a decision.
Price
When information technology comes to woods pellet litter and other pellet-type litter, there's a huge range in pricing. On the low end, yous've got options like pine pellet bedding which costs around $five for 40 pounds. Then you lot've got a huge range of mid to premium pellet litters as well.
When you pay more than, yous typically get two things: peace of mind and clumping. Brands like ÖKOCAT combine forest pellet-style litter with clumping but you tin can as well residuum piece of cake knowing that's it'due south specifically made for cats unlike some of the woods fuel pellets out there.
That's non to say that pine pellets bedding isn't safe, and we've covered that in detail higher up, merely some folks will prefer to pay more to know that the production their using is specifically made for true cat litter.
Sustainable Sourcing
One of the major benefits of forest pellet litter is the fact that it'south more environmentally friendly when compared to traditional litters.
Simply harvesting wood isn't without an ecology bear on and different products volition take varying levels of sustainability. Over again, premium brands like ÖKOCAT volition be much more transparent than many bargain options.
Information technology's likewise worth considering woods pellet alternatives that are even more than environmentally friendly. My favorite on that list is Yesterday'southward News which looks very similar to wood pellets simply is made from recycled newspapers instead of wood shavings. We'll talk more nigh this product after in this article.
Clumping Ability
Not everyone is ready to learn the "reverse scoop" technique and clumping is just too important for some folks to give upward.
Even with wood pellet litter, yous notwithstanding take options! Again, you lot'll be looking at some of the more premium options on the market but more and more companies are figuring out means to brand wood pellets clump.
Safe & Peace of Listen
I'm not going to list any litter that I don't think is safe so really this is more about peace of mind than anything else. Not everyone is comfortable repurposing products for litter and even with the science supporting the safety some may nonetheless want to only use products that are specifically made for cats.
This is completely understandable and something to consider equally you review your options.
Best Wood Pellet Litters
At this point, yous're a bonafide wood pellet litter good. You know the pros and cons along with what yous want to see in your preferred option.
So let'southward break down some of our favorites!
Best Overall: Feline Pino Original
Feline Pine is simple, true cat-specific woods pellet litter that'south made from 100% pine. There are no additives or extra chemicals hither- just plain ol' pino pellets which is exactly why information technology's our best overall selection!
The original formula doesn't clump simply Feline Pine has introduced a version that does which you can see on Amazon by clicking hither. Just go on in mind that while that versionvolition clump, it'south not going to be the same as your traditional litters.
But I've selected Feline Pine Original as the best overall because, at to the lowest degree for me, wood pellet litter is all virtually keeping it simple. I prefer a product with naught extra thrown in, even if it means I've got to live without clumping.
Feline Pine is also budget-friendly simply you also get the extra peace of mind knowing that it'due south kiln-dried (which they explicate right on their homepage) which means pino oils and phenols should be burned off.
Yous tin read more reviews and check out the latest price on Amazon past clicking here.
What I Honey About Information technology:Feline Pino keeps information technology simple! Information technology's only 100% pine but you lot still become the peace of listen knowing you're buying a product that's specifically made for cats.
What I Wish Information technology Had:While all wood pellet litter has a strong natural olfactory property to it, Feline Pino is particularly fragrant. While I don't mind, some folks with more than than 2 litterboxes may find the olfactory property a little overpowering. Simply it is mode ameliorate than the smell of cat poop!
Premium Pick: ÖKOCAT Premium Clumping Cat Litter
ÖKOCAT is a premium litter that's bachelor in several styles. As you lot'd expect, information technology's bachelor in the traditional woods pellets but they also offer smaller woods chunks that fall somewhere between the consistency of wood pellets and traditional litter.
They even offer a very fine option that's got more of a sawdust consistency. While both non-pellet options are going to accept more than bug with tracking out of the box, for cats that don't similar wood pellet texture they could be a perfect option. The modest wood chunks or finer sawdust options volition allow you get the benefits of forest pellet litter without having to alter up your cat's preferred texture. They tin also make the transition easier for some cats.
All three ÖKOCAT varieties are clumping which some folks will absolutely love.
Equally with all other forest pellet-type litters, you besides get the satisfaction of knowing that the litter is more than environmentally friendly than clay options but ÖKOCAT takes this a bit further and explains that their production is, "Made entirely from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural forest fiber for a better performing litter."
As a premium pick, you should expect to pay a premium price but it certainly helps that at that place are more than 5,500 five-star reviews bankroll upwards the ÖKOCAT make. You lot tin read more reviews and check out the latest price on Amazon by clicking hither.
What I Love About It:I dearest that they offer three different texture types or styles every bit they call it. This means more happy owners as they get the benefits of forest pellet litter and more than happy cats that don't accept to arrange quite equally much if they don't want to.
What I Wish It Had:I'd love to come across a non-clumping version not merely to arrive a little more budget-friendly but also for folks that want a super unproblematic option.
Best on a Budget: Tractor Supply Co Pelletized Bedding
When it comes to staying budget-friendly, it'south well-nigh impossible to beat the options at tractor supply stores. While you can go for woods stove pellets, I'd generally suggest going for the pelletized bedding products which are made for use in animal enclosures.
As yous can run into in the product image to a higher place, at that place's a cat and a rabbit on this product, and this production is specifically made to exist safely used for all kinds of critters including our feline friends. Even though information technology's marketed as an option for barn animals, yous'll observe hundreds of cat owners in the reviews.
So but how cheap is it?
Y'all can usually pick it up for around $0.14 per pound. Yous're not going to find another option that comes in quite that low!
The biggest downside is the difficulty of picking upwards. Depending on where yous alive, your nearest tractor supply or feed store could be quite out of the way. Delivery options are also pretty varied you lot're not going to get the crazy Prime shipping that you become with Amazon.
Even so, if you've got like shooting fish in a barrel admission this makes a keen pick on a upkeep.
What I Love About It:While you tin't vanquish the cost, I love seeing that this is specifically marketed towards cats and other modest mammals. That'due south much meliorate than some of the wood fuel options which will require a little inquiry on your part.
What I Wish It Had:I'd dearest to see easier options for shipping!
Our Favorite Pellet Litter Alternatives
Maybe you're sold on the idea of pellet litters but not entirely over the moon when it comes to wood.
Well, you're in luck. Woods isfar from the only pick when it comes to pellet litter! I've already mentioned a few of the options including newspaper and zeolite simply allow's take a closer expect at some of these options.
Best Overall: Tidy Cat's Breeze Litterbox Organisation
The Tidy Cat Breeze litterbox is marketed equally a "organization" for a reason. It's a total set of components that all work together. This kit includes zeolite pellet litter, a hooded litterbox, and absorbant pads that all work together to create a low-tracking and low-odor setup.
We've briefly mentioned zeolite pellets already but instead of focusing on soaking upwardly the urine these pellets actually allow moisture to menstruum through them onto a loftier absorbency pad located in a tray under the litterbox. The zeolite pellets are also designed to dehydrate any poops which makes the stools less smelly and easier to make clean.
This isn't just all marketing and there are thousands of reviews across the internet that support these claims.
However, there are a few downsides. The starting time is the apply of zeolite as a litter. While these pellets are low-tracking and dust-free, collecting zeolite requires open-pit mining which makes information technology a lilliputian less environmentally friendly than other options. There are several people who have institute a way to make the system piece of work with forest pellets though.
Second, there's the fact that this is an entire system that requires all components to work. Some folks may really enjoy that you get everything in i bundle but it does it make it a niggling more difficult to only try out.
Overall, this organisation will requite you lot many of the benefits of wood pellet litter with a few extra perks. The absorbent pads are definitely an interesting feature that tin can salvage folks some scooping and it's worth checking out the short video of how the system works on Amazon.
What I Love Virtually It:I'm a big fan of the pads that soak up urine and limit odor. I also like having the options of simply changing the pad instead of having to scoop.
What I Wish Information technology Had:I'd love to encounter more than functionality with other products. As it stands, the organization simply works with a specific litterbox, pellet type, etc.
Runner Up: Yesterday's News
The very accordingly named Yesterday'due south News is another great choice and our runner-up! Made from recycled newspaper, this is one of my favorite options not only because information technology's made from recycled materials which actually takes the eco-friendliness up a level but as well because information technology comes in pellet course.
It looks and acts nigh exactly similar a traditional forest pellet litter- which is what I beloved near it. Only like wood pellets, this litter volition break apart into flakey dust when it's urinated on and so you'll still need to work on your "reverse scoop" technique.
But if that's a deal-breaker for you, they've besides released a clumping version as well.
While information technology'southward rare for cats to swallow litter, although I've seen several kittens give it a attempt, since this product is made from paper there's nearly no risk of toxicity if cats do ingest it. If you're chosen the non-clumping version, it's likely to pass through your true cat without a problem.
You can read more than reviews and check out the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.
What I Dearest About Information technology: It has everything I honey most woods pellet litter merely uses recycled newspaper instead to really amp up the eco-friendlyness.
What I Wish Information technology Had:You're missing the natural pine odor that you lot go with traditional forest pellet litters. While that's a pro for some folks, information technology does mean that this litter box isn't quite as effective at managing odors.
What Nigh Other Not-Traditional Litter?
In that location are hundreds of choices when it comes to litter. The options go well beyond pellet vs traditional and you can notice litter made of wheat, corn, and even grass.
However, the big difference is that many of these litters don't come in a pellet course. Instead, they have a ground-upwards texture that'south more than like to traditional litter than pellets. That means that they will track a bit more in the business firm simply you nevertheless get many of the eco-friendly benefits that y'all go with forest pellet litter.
Earlier we wrap up this article, allow's just take a quick look at a few of the options.
Corn
Corn-based true cat litters make an interesting culling to wood and have many of the same ecology benefits since they both avoid mining. Of course, corn isn't without its issues and the fact that up to 92% of corn in the United states is genetically engineered might be a downside for some folks.
The big divergence here is that most corn-based litters are available in a consistency that's closer to traditional litter instead of pellets. While this is a pro when it comes to ease of transitioning cats to it, the smaller flakes are as well more than likely to track exterior the box.
The about popular and well-rated brand in the corn litter marketplace is the non-so-subtly named Globe's All-time Cat Litter which you tin can see on Amazon by clicking here.
Wheat
Similar to the corn options, wheat is most ofttimes establish in a fine meal-type consistency that'due south closer to traditional litter. That's great for picky cats and you can also discover plenty of wheat-based options that clump which is bully for picky owners!
Swheat Scoop is one of the more than popular options and has thousands of five-star reviews bankroll it upward. You can bank check information technology out here.
Grass
Yep. you can pick up litter made from grass! Non only is this environmentally friendly, but it'southward also very lightweight. My favorite out of the grass litters is SmartCat'south seed-based selection which you tin check out here.
Walnut
Walnut is another interesting option. Information technology's lightweight, eco-friendly, and lightweight so it checks quite a few of the boxes that most folks look for. It's also clumping!
Closing Thoughts
I promise that I've covered everything y'all could perchance need to know well-nigh wood pellet litter!
While it's not perfect and no litter is, it does make a bang-up option for many cat parents and their feline friends.
What do y'all call back? Are you going to go for woods pellet litter?
Source: https://betterwithcats.net/wood-pellet-cat-litter-guide/
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