What Can I Use Instead of Cat Litter? in 2022

There is much debate surrounding what can be used in place of cat litter, but one thing is for sure there are many options available for you.

Are you tired of cleaning up after your cat? Maybe you are wondering what can be used in place of cat litter. 

There are plenty of good reasons to ditch your cat’s litter box. For one, it is expensive. Depending on the type of litter, a cat can use up to two pounds per day, adding up quickly. Not to mention, litter can be tracked through your home and end up in your water supply.

In this article, we will have to discuss some of the best alternatives to cat litter and help you find the perfect solution for your needs. We will also provide some tips on making the switch so you can easily keep your home clean and your cat simultaneously makes you happy. 

Here are a few things you must know: the main benefits of using alternatives and how to use them efficiently. 

Stay tuned and Read More!

What are the benefits of using cat litter alternatives?

Cat litter box is usually the best product in the market with so much design. You can easily collect any design that mainly attracts you much more, but one reason is that litters are so expensive in the market that you can shift your thinking to cat litter alternatives. So, here are a few benefits of using cat litter alternatives. These are as below.

1. One of the significant benefits of using kitty litter alternatives is that it can save up to 60% to 65% on your monthly purchases compared to conventional disposable cat litter.
2. Another benefit described is that it is an easy and eco-friendly method that seems like a perfect solution for budget-conscious pet parents. It seems more environmentally friendly and much healthier for your pet.

Here are some other great reasons why you want to switch from disposables.  

1. One of the most significant benefits you can derive from alternative cat litter is eliminating waste disposal. I have spent more time taking care of my cats this decade because of lack and disposables costing me a fortune to dispose of. Not only that, but it can also be a much better indicator of whether your feline friend is doing well.
2. It saves 80%-90% of money compared to disposables because you don’t have to spend as much wondering where the waste ends up and what goes in its place when there’s no litter box around anymore. 
3. It is prepared for easy cleaning and reduces the mess, which lessens the smell around your home.
4. Using alternative cat litter can also lead to better health because some alternatives are good in absorbing moisture causing bacterial problems even if you removed all traces of solid lumps from the cat’s litter box. 
5. You should know that alternative cat litter has its share of benefits apart from saving money. For example, it can replace solid waste and keep your home fresh because the outcomes are less smelly or dangerous to you or at least much better than disposables do as most people hate the smell, they mostly rely on trash bags which also leads to polluting our environment every few weeks when we throw out the empty bin. 

In conclusion, it benefits the environment only when you make reasonable changes to your litter box and keep up with routine maintenance.

Try our alternative cat litter reviews below if you wish to. I cannot wait to see what is new in this brand, mainly because my family loves them! Now time for some fun.

Suppose you are looking for the best cat litter alternative, so we are here to help you. Here are a few clever and most usable alternatives to cat litters; these are as below.

Cat Litter Alternatives

1. Shredded newspaper and Junk Mails

You can use a newspaper if you do not want to buy one, it does not require any refills, and because of this, I always pick up sheets every other day when going shopping as garbage bags are extra expensive, so this will be more practical for us.

Also, shredded papers absorb moisture better than simple ones, which makes the waste flushing easy as it can break down after a while.

Moreover, they are cost-effective as they do not need refills, making it easier on your pocket. 

Another positive aspect of making shredded paper litter is that our cat doesn’t have to touch things with mass by claws which can leave bad breath or even damage the skin when you adopt one. 

And finally, they keep their scent long after disposing of them because this material erodes from being turned around roughly over time.

2.   Use sand as a cat litter 

Though it is not recommended for cats, many people use sand as a litter because it clumps well and can quickly be scooped. Additionally, the texture of sand can help to irritate a cat’s paws if they happen to walk on it while toileting. Just not a tiny amount of sand. 

Additionally, it increases the likelihood of clumping and a more even distribution of urine around the litter box. It does not stick to your cat’s paws, so be careful when scooping out their poop from your cat sandboxes.

If you just started having cats, there is no reason they should have put in any cat litter but wait at least 3 – 4 weeks before adding crystals or anything else different than clay-based. 

Some people use a small amount of sand as litter because it is easy to scoop, and the texture is rough enough that cats may be unable to walk on it quickly. However, if too much sand is used, the surface can become slick and difficult for a cat to navigate.

3. Use sawdust for cat litter 

Sawdust is an excellent alternative to sand for cat litter because it clumps well and does not stick to a cat’s paws. Additionally, sawdust is easy to clean up and contains no harmful chemicals.

Sawdust absorbs much moisture and is an option for people sick of having to scoop up clumps every few days. Dry sawdust is easy to find or can be purchased whole in the bulk section at stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Staples, and Wal-Mart. 

Moreover, it is relatively cheap and easy to clean, disposing of the clean sawdust without hassle.

However, it does not clump in well for dense litter boxes, which is essential if an owner wants something normal shaped or cylindrical than a piece shape like balls from sandy litter.

In short, the sawdust is made from a long piece of big logs, so it can’t clump. However, I think this would be fine for a litter box in the bathroom. 

4. Use Potting soil for cat litter

As a last resort, you have the option of using potting soil. Like sawdust, it is so absorbent and does not stick to paws but is usually too sandy for use as an indoor litter box. Plus, it can get tracked all around the house and is painful to clean.

Additionally, as with all clay litter, cats like to dig and may worry about potential hantavirus contamination.

Which is best to choose between sand, sawdust, or potting soil? It comes down to your preference for the texture of cat litter. Some users claim it is harmful to cats so a compromise would be sawdust or potting soil.

However, if it is well mixed with sand or grains, we can find in pet stores that this mix will clump nicely so that your cat uses the existing kitty litter when placing their paw on top of her area.

Use whole wheat for cat litter 

Whole wheat flour is another potential option for litter. It is a bit unusual, but it may be worth trying out since cats like to bury their business and whole wheat has a good amount of fiber. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly as the grains can be composted.

However, whole wheat flour can also be a bit sticky, so it may not work as well as other types of the litter when it comes to clumping.

If wheat or corn is unavailable to you, some people use linseed oil instead of sawdust because it is cohesive enough, so cats don’t feel uncomfortable using dry or any unscented litter. (Try using this type, please see the picture below left)

In short, it may be suitable litter at the house, perhaps in a more prominent place like a truck or van.

Conclusion

So, after reading this blog, you now know about the many benefits of using cat litter alternatives. Some of these include being environmentally friendly, less expensive, and being used in various situations. However, before making the switch, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative so that you can make an informed decision. Do you have any questions about which alternative to choose? Let us know in the comments below!

FAQs

Could we use sand and other things instead of litter for my cat?

There are several ways to reduce or eliminate litter in your home, and one way is to consider using sand instead. Not only is this more environmentally friendly, but it is also a great way to reduce the amount of dust produced, which can harm your cat’s respiratory system. Additionally, when used with other alternatives like carpet tiles or bark chips, sand can help smooth surfaces so that cats have less difficulty getting traction when walking on them.

Is it possible and the best way to use alternatives to cat litter?

Using alternatives to cat litter can significantly reduce your environmental footprint and help conserve resources. Some of the most popular include earth-friendly clay litters, clumping litters made from natural ingredients, and scented litters that contain essential oils.

When choosing an alternative to cat litter, it is essential to consider your specific needs. For example, if you have allergies or asthma, choose clay litter instead of other forms of synthetic one because it is more environmentally friendly. Additionally, if you have pets who frequently urinate in high-traffic areas such as corners or near furniture items, opting for a clumping litter may be best for you.

What is the better way to handle cat litter alternatives?

There are a variety of cat litter alternatives on the market, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Some popular options include clumping clay, wood pellets, paper products (including recycled materials), natural litters like urine or dander encased in dust mite excrement, and Castile soap-based formulas.

Clumping clay will often absorb more moisture than other types of litter and may need to be changed more frequently. Wood pellets are environmentally friendly but can produce an unpleasant smell if not stored properly. Paper products are dusty but cheaper than most other alternative cat litters. Natural litters may have fewer chemicals but require cleanup time that some people find inconvenient.