Eco friendly cat litter
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Eco friendly cat litter is a litter made from plant or recycled materials, and the listings in this group describe biodegradable, compostable or recyclable bases in place of clay. Shoppers looking for eco friendly cat litter usually want a natural base, clumping or easy scooping, and a bag they can carry and store. This guide compares eight eco friendly cat litters using the base material, clumping type, scent, bag weight and sustainability statements stated in each Amazon listing. Where a listing does not give a detail, the guide says the listing does not state it.
Quick answer
- Choose a plant base if you want clumping. The Almo Nature, cassava, Catit pea husk and Catit bamboo listings describe clumping formulas.
- Choose a paper pellet if you want a non-clumping litter. The two Small Pet Select listings describe recycled paper pellets that are non-clumping.
- Check the bag weight. The bags in this roundup range from about 4.4 pounds to 20 pounds where the listing states a weight.
- Read the sustainability line in each listing. Listings use words such as biodegradable, compostable, recyclable and eco-friendly, and each one means something different.
What eco friendly means on a listing
Eco friendly is a general term, and the listings in this group use it in several ways. Some describe a plant-based base such as corn, pea husk, cassava or bamboo. Others describe recycled paper pellets, and one describes a recycled-material formula. The listing text is the place to see which claim is made. A biodegradable claim describes how a material breaks down over time, and a compostable claim describes a material that a composting process can break down. Neither claim guarantees a result in your own bin, so check the local collection rules for compost and waste before you use one.
Plant-based litter is not the same as a natural litter with no additives. Some listings say the formula is free of additives, and others say it contains a deodorizer or a scent. The Almo Nature listing says its litter is additive-free, and the HoneyCare cassava listing says it is free of artificial perfumes. Read the ingredient or additive line before you buy if you want a formula with nothing added.
Clumping, pellets and scent
Clumping litter forms solid clumps that you lift out, while non-clumping litter absorbs liquid and is changed as a whole. The clumping listings in this group describe clumps that form quickly and hold their shape. The Almo Nature listing describes a thin clump on the surface, and the cassava listing describes firm, tight clumps. The Small Pet Select paper pellets are non-clumping, and the listing describes pellets that lock in moisture and expand. Choose the type that matches your cleaning routine.
Scent varies. The Almo Nature listing describes an unscented formula, and the Small Pet Select listings describe an additive-free pellet. The Catit pea husk listing describes an unscented formula, and the Catit hybrid and bamboo listings describe a vanilla scent. The HoneyCare cassava listing describes a formula free of artificial perfumes. If your cat is sensitive to fragrance, choose an unscented option and check the scent line before you order.
Roundup: eight eco friendly cat litters
1. Almo Nature Soft Texture Cat Litter, 10 lb
The Almo Nature litter is a 10-pound plant-based clumping litter made from vegetable fibers. The listing describes a thin clump that forms on the surface and keeps the tray and remaining litter clean, and it says urine is absorbed quickly. The listing describes the product as 100 percent vegetable and biodegradable and additive-free. The product measures 9.84 by 4.53 by 15.75 inches and is unscented. It is a clear example of a plant-based clumping litter in a mid-size bag.
2. Natural Cassava Cat Litter, Flushable and Biodegradable
The cassava litter is a plant-based clumping litter made from cassava and listed as flushable and septic safe. The listing describes firm, tight clumps and says it is 99 percent dust free with low tracking. It also describes a formula that neutralizes ammonia odor and is free of dyes and synthetic fragrances. The specifications list the product at 4.41 pounds and the material as cassava, and the listing is unscented. Check local rules before flushing any litter, since the listing does not state the rules in your area.
3. Small Pet Select Recycled Pelleted Paper Cat Litter, 10 lb
This 10-pound litter is made of recycled paper pellets and is non-clumping. The listing says it is made in the USA from recycled paper, and it describes pellets that soak up to three times more than clay. The listing says the formula is additive-free and uses no baking soda. The pellets are described as low dust and non-tracking, and the listing says they suit all life stages. Because the litter does not clump, you change the whole box on a schedule.
4. Small Pet Select Recycled Paper Cat Litter, Non-Clumping, 20 lb
This 20-pound version is the same recycled paper pellet formula in a larger bag. The listing describes the same absorption, low dust and non-tracking claims, and it says the product is made in the USA. The listing says it contains no baking soda and describes an additive-free formula. The bigger bag suits a multi-cat home or a household that wants fewer orders. Like the 10-pound bag, it is non-clumping, so the box is changed as a whole.
5. Catit Go Natural Plant-Based Cat Litter, Hybrid
This hybrid litter combines pea husk and bentonite clay. The listing describes a 70 percent plant-based formula with 30 percent clay, and it says the mix is a smooth step away from traditional clay. The bullets describe mixed-in deodorizing pearls and a vanilla scent, and they say the formula clumps quickly for busy litter boxes. The listing states 99 percent dust free and low tracking. It is the bridge option in this group for a home that is moving from clay.
6. Catit Go Natural Ultra-Light Clumping Cat Litter, Bamboo, 7.9 lb
This 7.9-pound litter is made of soft bamboo pellets. The listing says the pellets form tight, easy-to-scoop clumps without sticking to the box or the scoop, and it describes bamboo as a natural deodorizer with a subtle vanilla scent. The listing says the product is made from 90 percent upcycled post-consumer materials and is compostable. It states a 99.9 percent dust-free formula with a lightweight design. Its bag is listed at 7.9 pounds.
7. HoneyCare Cassava Cat Litter, 6 lb
This 6-pound litter is made from cassava powder and corn starch. The listing says it is free of artificial perfumes and harmful chemicals, and it describes firm, compact clumps that trap odor and liquid. It says the formula is 99 percent dust free and low tracking, and the pellets are described as designed to limit litter that clings to paws. The product is listed as eco-friendly, and the listing describes a natural base for the litter. It is a smaller bag than the Catit and Almo options.
8. Catit Go Natural Pea Husk Flushable Clumping Cat Litter, Unscented, 12.3 lb
This 12.3-pound unscented litter is made of pea husk pellets with starch, corn powder and guar gum. The listing says the pellets absorb up to three times their weight in moisture and clump naturally for easier scooping. It states 99 percent dust free and low tracking, and it describes the pellets as water soluble and flushable. The listing says the formula is plant-based and made with recycled pea husks. It is the unscented pea husk formula in this roundup, and it is the second-heaviest bag in the group after the 20-pound paper pellet.
Review: Almo Nature Soft Texture Cat Litter, 10 lb
The Almo Nature litter is the most straightforward plant-based clumping option in this group for a home that wants a biodegradable base and an unscented formula. The listing describes the product as 100 percent vegetable and biodegradable, and it says the formula is free of additives and toxic agents. Those are the points that matter if you want an eco friendly litter with nothing added. The listing states the product is unscented, which suits a sensitive cat or a household that does not want a scent.
The clumping behavior is the second feature to weigh. The listing describes a thin clump that stays on the surface, which the listing says keeps the tray and remaining litter clean. Thin clumps can be easier to lift without disturbing the rest of the litter, but they also need regular scooping to stay tidy. Scoop at least once a day and check the tray between scoops.
The bag is listed at 10 pounds, and the product measures 9.84 by 4.53 by 15.75 inches in the specifications. The listing describes the litter as eco-friendly and biodegradable, but it does not state a composting method, so check your local rules before you put used litter into a compost bin. The listing does not give a cat count, so the listing does not state how many cats the bag suits.
Two close alternatives are the cassava litter, which is listed as flushable and septic safe, and the Catit bamboo litter, which describes a compostable base in a 7.9-pound bag. Both are plant-based clumping litters, so the choice comes down to base material and bag size.
Sustainability claims to check
Each listing makes its own sustainability claim, and it helps to sort them before you compare prices or bag sizes. The cassava listing describes sustainably sourced cassava and a biodegradable formula. The Catit bamboo listing describes 90 percent upcycled post-consumer materials and a compostable product. The Catit pea husk listing describes recycled pea husks and plant-based ingredients. The Small Pet Select listings describe recycled paper pellets that are made in the USA. The Almo Nature listing describes 100 percent vegetable and biodegradable litter.
Ask three questions of any listing. First, what is the base: recycled, plant-based or upcycled? Second, does the listing make a biodegradable, compostable or recyclable claim, and what does it say about the process? Third, does the listing name a manufacturing location or a recycled content figure? Where the listing gives a percentage, such as 90 percent upcycled materials, the figure is the seller’s statement. Where it does not, the listing does not state the figure, and you should not assume one.
Packaging is part of the footprint too. The Small Pet Select 20-pound bag and the Catit bags are sold in bags, and the listings do not describe the bag material in detail, so the listing does not state how the bag is recycled. Store bags closed and dry, and use the disposal method your local collection service allows for used litter.
Comparison table
| Litter | Base | Clumping | Bag and scent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almo Nature 10 lb | Vegetable fibers | Clumping | 10 lb; unscented |
| Cassava flushable | Cassava | Clumping | 4.41 lb in specifications; unscented |
| Small Pet Select 10 lb | Recycled paper pellets | Non-clumping | 10 lb; additive-free |
| Small Pet Select 20 lb | Recycled paper pellets | Non-clumping | 20 lb; additive-free |
| Catit hybrid | Pea husk and bentonite | Clumping | Vanilla |
| Catit bamboo | Bamboo pellets | Clumping | 7.9 lb; vanilla |
| HoneyCare cassava | Cassava and corn starch | Clumping | 6 lb; no artificial perfumes |
| Catit pea husk unscented | Pea husk | Clumping | 12.3 lb; unscented |
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating eco friendly as one thing. A biodegradable claim, a compostable claim and a recycled claim describe different properties.
- Flushing without checking local rules. Several listings describe flushable litter, but local plumbing rules decide what is allowed.
- Mixing a non-clumping paper pellet with a clumping litter. Change the box in the way that matches the litter type.
- Assuming an unscented label means no odor control. Several listings add charcoal, deodorizers or pearls.
- Buying the biggest bag first. Start with a size you can use within a few weeks.
FAQ
Is eco friendly cat litter clumping?
Some are and some are not. The Almo Nature, cassava, Catit hybrid, Catit bamboo and Catit pea husk listings describe clumping. The two Small Pet Select paper pellets are non-clumping.
Is plant-based litter flushable?
The cassava and Catit pea husk listings describe flushable formulas. Check your local rules and your plumbing before you flush any litter.
Does eco friendly mean compostable?
Not always. The Catit bamboo listing describes a compostable litter, while other listings describe biodegradable or recyclable materials. Check the local rules for composting before you use one.
Which litter is unscented?
The Almo Nature, cassava and Catit pea husk listings describe unscented formulas, and the Small Pet Select listings describe additive-free pellets. The Catit hybrid and bamboo listings describe a vanilla scent.
Can I use these with a self-cleaning box?
Some automatic boxes need a specific litter. Check the box maker’s list of compatible litters before you buy any product in this guide.
Which bag suits one cat?
The 6-pound HoneyCare bag is the smallest in this guide. The 10-pound Almo Nature and Small Pet Select bags last longer for one cat.
Bottom line
For an eco friendly clumping litter with an unscented formula, the Almo Nature 10-pound bag is the most direct choice in this roundup. For a non-clumping option, choose a Small Pet Select paper pellet, in 10 or 20 pounds. For a flushable plant-based option, the cassava and Catit pea husk formulas list that feature. Read each listing’s sustainability line and disposal rules before you order.