Is Your Cat’s Litter Safe? What Every Cat Parent Should Know
Choosing the right cat litter can feel overwhelming. Walk into any pet store and you’ll find shelves filled with clay, crystal, corn, wheat, wood, tofu, cassava, and many other options—each promising to be the best.
But perhaps the most important question isn’t which litter controls odour the best or clumps the fastest.
Is it safe for your cat?
Many litter products are marketed with convenience in mind, focusing on odour control, easy scooping, or long-lasting performance. While those features are important, your cat’s health should always come first.
Some litters contain artificial fragrances or chemicals designed to mask odours. Although these may make the litter box smell fresher to us, they can irritate sensitive cats. Strong fragrances may contribute to eye and nose irritation, sneezing, coughing, respiratory discomfort, or even discourage some cats from using the litter box altogether.
If your cat frequently sneezes after using the litter box, has watery eyes, or suddenly begins avoiding the litter box, it may be worth taking a closer look at the litter you’re using.
Our first recommendation: choose an unscented litter whenever possible.
Clay Litter
Clay remains one of the most common litter types, but it also comes with several concerns.
Environmental impact
Most clumping clay litter is made from sodium bentonite, which is obtained through strip mining. This process removes large areas of soil and vegetation, permanently altering natural habitats. Because clay is not biodegradable, it remains in landfills indefinitely after disposal.
Dust and respiratory health
Many clay litters create fine dust when poured or scooped. Both cats and people inhale this dust, especially in smaller homes where litter boxes share living spaces.
Cats are particularly exposed because they spend so much time close to the litter box while digging, covering waste, and grooming themselves afterward. Excessive dust may irritate cats with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions.
Risk if ingested
Clumping clay expands when it comes into contact with moisture. Because cats naturally groom themselves after using the litter box, they may accidentally ingest small amounts. While tiny amounts may pass without issue, larger amounts—particularly in kittens—can increase the risk of digestive problems or intestinal blockage.
Crystal (Silica) Litter
Crystal litter is another popular option, but it also has some drawbacks.
Some crystal litters contain added fragrances and dyes that may cause the same types of irritation seen with scented clay litters.
The coarse texture can also be uncomfortable for some cats, particularly seniors or cats with arthritis, sensitive paws, or mobility issues. If using the litter box becomes uncomfortable, some cats may begin eliminating elsewhere in the home.
Like clay, silica litter is mined, non-biodegradable, and remains in landfills for many years after disposal.
Our second recommendation: avoid clay and silica litter whenever possible.
Better Natural Alternatives
Fortunately, there are many natural litter options available today, including: Wood, Cassava, Wheat, Corn, Walnut shell, and Tofu.
Many of these litters are biodegradable, naturally control odours, and contain fewer artificial ingredients.
Every household is different, so the best choice depends on your cat’s preferences and your own priorities, such as clumping ability, tracking, odour control, or compatibility with automatic litter boxes.
Our Experience
The cat parents on the LocalPaws team have tried nearly every natural litter available over the years.
For our multi-cat household, we wanted a litter that was: Unscented, Excellent at controlling odours, Low tracking, and Strong clumping.
Cassava, wheat, and corn litters performed well, but their smaller granules tended to track throughout the house and required more frequent topping up.
Tofu litter tracked less, but we occasionally found that some brands formed muddy clumps that stuck to the bottom of the litter box or to our cats’ paws. We also noticed that some tofu litters contain added clay or artificial fragrances, so reading the ingredient list is important.
Why We Chose ökocat
Long before LocalPaws Magazine existed, we spent years testing different litter brands to find the best option for our own cats. That’s when we discovered ökocat.
Nearly a decade later, it’s still the litter we trust in our home, and it easily earns a 10 out of 10 from our feline team. Here’s why.
Sustainably sourced
ökocat is made from responsibly rescued natural wood fibre rather than mined clay. It contains:
- No artificial fragrances
- No harmful chemicals
- No toxic dyes
- No clay
- No silica
Naturally controls odours
Instead of masking smells with perfumes, natural wood fibres help prevent ammonia odours from forming in the first place.
Strong clumping
The precision-cut wood fibres quickly absorb moisture and form firm clumps that are easy to scoop.
99% dust free
The fibres are screened and de-dusted before packaging, creating far less airborne dust than traditional clay litter.
This can make a noticeable difference for:
- Cats with asthma
- Allergy-sensitive households
- People with respiratory sensitivities
Tip: Dust Free litter is available now at Pet Valu, Petland, Harbour Hound, Petland Canada, Pet Food N More (BC), and Global Pet Foods.
Long lasting
Because the wood fibres absorb liquid quickly, moisture rarely reaches the bottom of the litter box.
With regular scooping, the remaining litter stays clean much longer, with some households getting up to seven weeks from a full refill.
Lightweight
Compared with clay litter, ökocat is much lighter, making it easier to:
- Carry home
- Pour into the litter box
- Scoop
- Dispose of
Multiple formulas
ökocat offers several varieties designed for different household needs, including multi-cat homes, kittens, long-haired cats, and automatic litter boxes.
Bonus: The super soft litter works in the Litter Robot but it has to be on longest setting / cleaning cycle.
Tip: Multi-cat litter is available now at Petsmart in Canada, Ren’s Pets, and Harbour Hound Pet supplies.
Eco-friendly packaging
The litter comes in a 100% recyclable paper bag, reducing plastic waste.
A Great Choice for Allergy-Sensitive Homes
Because there are no added perfumes and very little dust, ökocat helps create a cleaner environment for both cats and people. Rather than covering odours with strong fragrances, the natural wood fibres neutralize them naturally. Learn more
Giving Back
One of our favourite things about ökocat is its commitment to helping cats in need.
Through its Cause for Paws initiative, the company has donated more than 100,000 pounds of litter and helped support over 15,000 cat adoptions. Learn more
Fun Fact
The word “öko” is German for “eco” or “ecological.”
Our Final Verdict
After years of testing different litter types, we continue to choose ökocat for our own cats because it checks every box that matters to us:
✔ Unscented
✔ Excellent odour control
✔ Strong clumping
✔ Low dust
✔ Lightweight
✔ Biodegradable
✔ Better for the environment
If you’re thinking about switching to a more natural litter, this is one we’d confidently recommend.
We’ve also partnered with ökocat to help you make the switch.
Click the link below to claim your $5 off coupon, valid on any size or variety of ökocat litter.
