What Materials Are Used to Make Cat Litter?

Cats are a favorite pet of many people as they are relatively small and don't require a lot of upkeep or exercise. Each feline has their own unique personality and can provide hours of companionship. Cats are also quite easy to housebreak using a litter box. There are many litters on the market today with features such as absorbency, clumping and odor control. Different litters are composed of a variety of materials.

  1. Clay

    • Cat litter that clumps together is made from a special type of clay called bentonite, which sticks together when it becomes wet. Bentonite is usually mixed with quartz and diatomaceous soil, which is quite absorbent. Other types of clay is used in non-clumping cat litter, such as zeolite and sepiolite.

    Pine Pellets

    • Pine pellets are also used in some types of cat litter because it smells good, helps to mask odor and is also absorbent. Pine pellets are also biodegradable and can be disposed of in yards and flower gardens.

    Silica Gel

    • Cat litter made from silica gel has become quite popular because it is the most absorbent material for litter that is currently on the market and it can last for up to a month without being changed.

    Natural Materials

    • There is a variety of other natural, biodegradable materials that can be used in cat litter such dried orange and lemon peels, recycled paper pellets and sawdust. Until cat litter came on the market in the early 1940s, most people used ashes or sand in their pet's litter box. Sand can still be used as litter and can be purchased at most green houses and pet stores.

    Baking Soda

    • Some litters on the market advertise that they contain baking soda to help control odor. If your litter doesn't contain baking soda, sprinkle a little baking soda over the top of the litter to help with any odor problems.