Cat Litter Ideas

With at least 37 million U.S. households owning a cat in 2007, according to the "U.S. Pet Ownership &Demographic Sourcebook," cat litter solutions have taken on greater importance. A variety of cat litter brands can be found in pet and grocery stores, but some cats are finicky or might have allergies to certain cat litter formulations. Cat litter ideas that offer an alternative to traditional clay litters include waste paper, tree remnants, sand and soil and other fibers.

  1. Waste Paper

    • Shredded newspaper, mail and other paper can provide a soft and absorbent cat litter while recycling unwanted household materials. The shredded paper can be spread inside a litter pan and sprinkled liberally with baking soda to control odor. Cat litter can also be made at home, according to The Greenists, from water, detergent, baking soda and shredded papers that have been mixed, crumbled and left to dry on a screen.

    Tree Remnants

    • Sawdust, wood shavings and chopped pine straw sprinkled in a cat's litter pan provide absorbency while naturally masking the odor of cat waste. Untreated sawdust and wood shavings can be bought at feed stores, pet stores and online. Pine straw can be found at landscape and gardening stores. While some cat owners favor tree remnants for use in the litter pan, other cat owners have raised concerns about dust and naturally occurring chemicals called phenols that are associated with wood products. A discussion with a veterinarian can help determine the best option for your cat.

    Sand and Soil

    • When cats live in the wild, they typically use sand or soil to cover their waste. A mix of sand or soil and baking soda in the cat litter pan provides absorbency and odor control. Using sand or soil also is one way to train an outdoor cat to use an indoor litter pan. The sand or soil in the litter pan is gradually mixed with another litter of choice until the cat uses the litter pan regularly.

    Other Fibers

    • A variety of other plant fibers can be used in cat litter pans. Ground corn, hay and rabbit pellets, which are often comprised of alfalfa, can be purchased at most feed stores and online. Ground peanut shells, rice hulls, wheat chaff and dried mash left over from alcohol distilling absorb cat waste but may not be available in some areas. When using these fibers, baking soda can be added to reduce odors.