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How To Use Pine Pellets For Cat Litter

What Is The Best Litter Box For Pine Pellet Cat Litter

  • Where to buy
  • Is there such a thing as a pellet litter box, designed specifically to be used with pellet cat litter? The answer is YES.

    Sifting litter boxes makes cleaning pellet litter easier, by separating the used litter from the fresh pellets. There are three types of sifting litter boxes to choose from. The Breeze litter box system is made for pellet cat litter, and used by many cat owners who prefere pine pellets, including Feline Pine.

    See Table Of Contents above for quick navigation.

    Silica Gel Crystal Litter

    Silica gels are made from a chemical compound called sodium silicate.

    In the production of silica gel litter, this substance is treated with water and oxygen which yields super absorbent, porous crystals. These crystals can absorb up to 40 times their weight!

    Silica litter doesnt form clumps when in contact with liquid. Instead, you need to replace it with a fresh batch once every two weeks or so. Due to its clever engineering, silica litter can go a long time before it starts to smell of urine. All you need to do is scoop out the solid waste daily and give it a little stir so that excess moisture can evaporate from the beads at the bottom of the pan.

    Silica gel litter is virtually dust-free, meaning litter tracking is kept to a minimum. With this being said, the ingestion of silica dust can lead to a lung disease called silicosis in both humans and cats. Besides, even though silica litter produces very little dust, it can build up over time in your cats system. Plus, there is a possibility that your cat might accidentally ingest beads when licking her paws.

    Silica litter production is also damaging to the environment as it is sand-mined. In terms of disposal, there are a few biodegradable silica litters, but the majority of them are not.

    When you consider the health risks of ingesting silica and clay litters and the environmental implications of their production and disposal, it seems wise to opt for natural alternatives like wood pellets.

    How To Switch From Traditional Litter To Pellet Litter

    As you do with any other new product you introduce to your cat, take it step by step. Dont change your cats litter overnight and expect her not to notice or react to this sudden switch.

    The formula is to gradually invert the ratio of new litter to the old one over about a week. Start by replacing roughly a quarter of your cats usual litter with pellet litter . Each time you change the litter, add less of the old one and more of the new one and do it over 4-5 steps.

    Scoop Solids And Sift Daily

    As with any litter, you should remove solids daily. With wood pellets, it may be helpful to scoop poop as soon as possible after your cat makes a deposit even if its multiple times per day. Its particularly true of pellet litters because some cats wont bury their mess like they would with clay or another granular litter. 

    Sifting should also occur daily. You dont want to allow the sawdust to linger for long. If it becomes re-soaked, it can be pretty unpleasant for both you and your cat.

    Scoop and sift often, and your cat will be happier, you can avoid unwanted behaviors and your litter will last much longer.

    Do Cats Like Wood Pellet Litter

    Cats Best Litter Pellets  Idalias Salon

    So you might be wondering if pine pellets are better than clay litters. From a human perspective, I think it is. Its affordable, biodegradable, and does a fabulous job. With that being said, everyone has their own preferences and there are excellent clay litters on the market. 

    All of the sifting litter box systems I tried work with clay clumping litter too. If you test drive pine pellets and decide they arent for you, the sifting litter box will still work.

    From a cat perspective, pine pellets work just fine. I think my cat prefers finer granules, but that didnt stop her from using the pellets. She had a harder time covering her waste with the larger pellets. But, she vastly prefers pine pellets over a tiny litter box. Thats a deal-breaker for most kitties.

    My experiment with pine pellets and sifting litter boxes was eye-opening. Natural litters can do an excellent job, even outperforming top-selling commercial cat litters. And sifting litter boxes are fabulous. Easy to clean, and effective. Give them a try!

    Pine Pellets Cat Litter Box

    This is the best homemade cat litter box ever! Here is why:- No pee smell. Actually, pine smell.- Little tracking. The large pellets do not stick to the cats paws.- Natural.- Inexpensive- No waste. Only used pine falls to the bottom.Once the cat goes, the pee is absorbed by the pellets, which expand and become sawdust. Pick up the poop and mix the pellets once a day. The sawdust falls to the bottom box, leaving only “unused” pine pellets on top.* Do not flush the poop! It may contain eggs of Toxoplasma gondii, which are able to survive the wastewater treatment process, contaminating waterways. While Toxoplasma rarely affects healthy people, it can cause defects and brain damage in babies whose mothers were exposed when pregnant. Brain disease can also develop in people with compromised immune systems. In addition, Toxoplasma has been shown to harm sea otters and may affect other wildlife as well.Dispose of the cats feces in sealed plastic bags via your waste management company.

    How To Dispose Of Wood Pellet Cat Litter

    The standard way to dispose of cat litter is to transfer it to containers and place them in trash bins. Since wood pellet cat litter is biodegradable, you can dispose of it by composting. By doing so, you can use it later as a fertilizer in your garden and for indoor plants. Do not use it to fertilize edible plants and vegetables since cat feces may contain parasites.

    Recycled Paper Cat Litter

    Recycled paper litter is usually made from recycled newspaper fibers that are compressed to form pellets.

    Recycled paper litter is one of the best litter alternatives out there. It is sustainable, eco-friendly, non-tracking, no-dust, typically flush-safe, and hypo-allergenic. It is also completely safe for your cat and will not harm her digestive system if ingested.

    Recycled paper is very similar to wood pellet litter because both have coarse pellets that are highly absorbent, which prevents dust and tracking. However, whereas wood pellet litter can still track a bit as its pellets crumble into sawdust when soaked, paper litter doesnt track at all because instead of disintegrating, its pellets just absorb the urine as much as they can.

    However, one disadvantage of paper cat litter is that it is relatively hard to clean. Soiled pellets are darker in color and have engorged to 2-3 times the size of their clean pellets. Effective cleaning requires a scoop with holes that are suitable to separate the soiled pellets from the clean ones.

    Top Paper Litter Recommendation:

    Of all the paper pellet cat litters, my top recommended product has to be the PURINA Yesterdays News Odor Control Paper Cat Litter. Coming in both clumping and non-clumping varieties, theres a great option for all owners, no matter their preference. Even vets recommend this product as one of the best natural cat litters so if you dont trust me, trust the professionals!

    Pros

    Cons

    Visual Guide For How To Use Pine Litter & Pine Litter Box

    After scooping out the cat feces, use the scooper to push and sift the sawdust down to the bottom container.

    The red circles are the dissolved sawdust from absorbing cat urine.

    Pine litter sawdust sifts through the holes and goes down to a separate container. Theres a complete separation now between fresh , clean litter, and soiled litter on the bottom !

    The difference between this sawdust and the regular type of dust found in clumping litter is that there is no way to remove that soiled clumping litter dust. Its mixed in with the fresh litter .

    Easily dump out the lower container thats filled with pine dust. The good pine pellets remain untouched at the top, ready to be used again.

    As you can imagine, it prolongs the use of your litter and saves cat owners more money in the long run!

    Its also very environmentally friendly as the pine dust can be easily broken down in the environment. Some people even use it in their compost!

    Pine litter boxes are almost self-cleaning in a way. As cats pee inside the box and cover their pee or poo, some of the dust naturally goes down into the separate dustpan due to the cats movement of the box. All it requires is a little bit of extra sifting and shaking to get the rest of the sawdust through!

    Best Overall: Feline Pine Original

    Feline Pine is simple, cat-specific wood pellet litter thats made from 100% pine. There are no additives or extra chemicals here- just plain ol pine pellets which is exactly why its our best overall pick!

    The original formula doesnt clump but Feline Pine has introduced a version that does . Just keep in mind that while that version will clump, its not going to be the same as your traditional litters.

    But Ive selected Feline Pine Original as the best overall because, at least for me, wood pellet litter is all about keeping it simple. I prefer a product with nothing extra thrown in, even if it means Ive got to live without clumping.

    Feline Pine is also budget-friendly but you also get the extra peace of mind knowing that its kiln-dried which means pine oils and phenols should be burned off.

    You can read more reviews and .

    What I Love About It: Feline Pine keeps it simple! Its just 100% pine but you still get the peace of mind knowing youre buying a product thats specifically made for cats.

    What I Wish It Had: While all wood pellet litter has a strong natural scent to it, Feline Pine is especially fragrant. While I dont mind, some folks with more than 2 litterboxes may find the smell a little overpowering. But it is way better than the smell of cat poop!

     

    Pellets: The Best Cat Litter For Sustainability

    At first glance, you might not even think that these pellets are actually rabbit food, and not litter. But appearances can be deceiving this litter is actually made of biodegradable material like pine, cedar, or cypress wood or recycled paper thats been formed into tiny pellet shapes. The result is a litter that is very absorbent and excellent at trapping odour.

    Cat Allergic To Pine Litter

    The answer is yes. A cat can be allergic to pine litter. Pine is a wood, which can be dangerous to pets that can have a sensitivity to it.

    If you know that your cat is allergic to pine, then the safest thing for you to do is to change its litter box every time you notice the reaction.

    It is not safe to change the litter box until the cat has totally recovered from the reaction.

    Never use scented litter in the same box as pine litter. This is because scented litter will only cause more irritation to the eyes and throat of the cat.

    The best way to get rid of the furniture and carpets from inside the litter box should be avoided.

    Do not expose the cat to any smoke or smell. Do not allow the cat to sleep with your other pet.

    If you notice your cat scratching around in the litter box, immediately remove it from the litter box.

    Do not bathe the cat for at least three days after the first occurrence of itching. The scratching behavior can be due to the same scratching and allergy symptoms.

    The best way to treat pine litter allergy is to get an over the counter medication.

    Most of these products have little to no side effects. You can usually buy these over the counter at your local pet store.

    Make sure that you buy the same brand of product from your local store, as some products can be specially formulated for treating cats.

    You can also prescribe tablets, which are available over thecounter. These tablets will help cure the allergy from scratch.

    Okay What Exactly Is Wood Pellet Cat Litter

    How to Use Pine Pellet Litter (Arm and Hammer Feline Pine)

    Wood pellet litter is usually made from pine, and occasionally cedarwood. The pellets are made by first dehydrating the wood under high heat and then compressing them into small pellets. The pellets are surprisingly absorbent and thats part of why they work so well as cat litter. In most cases, they can absorb between 4 and 7 times their weight in liquid.

    While theres a lot to love about wood pellet litter, the fact that there are no additives or chemicals required is a major plus. The pellets are made from natural ingredients and simply compressed under high pressure- no chemicals required.

    Wood pellets come in a variety of forms and there are several options on the market that are specifically made to be used as cat litter. But some folks will also use wood fuel pellets for their cats.

    As long as you do your research, this can work just fine as well as saving you quite a bit of money. Regardless of what wood pellet brand you use, you want to make sure that its kiln-dried which will remove unwanted compounds from the wood.

    You use the wood pellets just like you would with any other litter and most cats are happy to dig around and do their business.

    My Transition To Pine Pellet Cat Litter

    Do you want to transition your cat to ? Im going to share my experiment in trying to make the switch with my cats.

    When I first saw the YouTube video Youre Doing Your Cat Litter Wrong I was intrigued, to say the least.

    The girl talks about how she uses litter made of wood pellets, that you can buy in a huge bag for only $6 that lasts MONTHS for multiple cats! The math worked out to be around $24 per year total, even if you had multiple cats.

    But she also makes it seem like if youre using regular litter, youre a complete idiot and that theres no reason not to use pine pellets .

    I mean this pine pellet litter stuff had to be too good to be true, right?

    But then I started watching other videos of people using this stuff, and they showed the entire process of them scooping the litter on video. It didnt look so bad, and it even supposedly completely hides all cat pee smells . 

    I mean I just had to try it. Youll see things did not quite go as smoothly as I thought

    Also check out:

    Does That Make The Trash Can The Best Option

    Yes, the trash can is almost always going the best option for disposing of used wood pellet litter. The risk of toxoplasmosis to people and other animals is too high to justify any of the options.

    While you could make an argument for composting or flushing litter thats only been exposed to urine, its not a very compelling one.

    Thats because toxoplasmosis is transmitted via anything that has come in contact with cat feces, including transmission via your cats paws. Just because you dont Ia cat poop sitting on a pile of pine pellets it doesnt mean that they havent been exposed throughout your cats normal litterbox routine.

    Instead, it makes more sense to consider the entire litterbox compromised and just stick with the trashcan. But you can rest easier knowing that the wood pellets arent going to be sitting in the landfill for the next 100 years!

    Pine Pellet Litter: Main Pros & Cons

    Pros of Using Pine Litter Cons of Using Pine Litter
    Never have to dump out your box. One more step to do .
    One of the cheapest litter types. Cats may need to be transitioned to it.
    Minimal litter tracking. May track if not sifted for days.
    Good at controlling pee smells. Not great at controlling feces odor.
    Sustainable & biodegradable. It is confusing to use at first.

    Other reasonsto use pine pellet litter for your cats:

    • Non-toxic & natural. Pine pellets are generally safe for cats as long the pellets are made from untreated wood in which all pine pellet brands made for cats are.
    • Much healthier for everyone. Almost no dust is produced when scooping or adding into the litter box.
    • Efficient. Cat owners never have to dump out and replace the litter in the box. Unsoiled/new pellets remain at the top and the sawdust settles to the bottom. It keeps a clear separation between soiled/unsoiled litter. Nothing is wasted and saves good pellets from being thrown away.
    • Flushable & disintegrates when wet. Because pine litter disintegrates into sawdust, the dust or pellets can easily be flushed down the toilet without worrying about clogs.

    Can I Flush Wood Pellet Litter

    Yes, you can but its typically not the best practice. While the wood pellets will break up enough to make it through most pipes, its not exactly easy on your plumbing and large amounts may cause problems. But the bigger issue comes from the risk of toxoplasmosis which is a disease that can be spread through the feces of cats.

    Toxoplasmosis is one of the worlds most common diseases and can cause a wide range of symptoms in humans depending on your age and overall health status. When cat poop is flushed down the toilet, along with wood pellets, it can push toxoplasmosis into nearby bodies of water or even the human water supply in some cases.

    When you consider that one study found a prevalence as high as 74% in adult cats, it becomes clear that flushing wood pellets with poop on them is a bad idea. Not only for the risk it presents to humans but also other animals.

    Researchers believe that flushing kitty litter could have contributed to the death of hundreds of California otters. Autopsy results showed the presence of the toxoplasmosis parasite in the brain of the sea otters, which is unusual for sea creatures. While it could be related to runoff from cats and other animals, theres a strong case to be made that kitty litter was the culprit.

    So even though wood pellets on their own are safe enough to be flushed down the toilet, its still not a good practice if theyre being used for kitty litter.

    Is It Safe To Use Pine Pellets As Cat Litter

    Yes, wood pellets, in general, are an excellent substitute for non-biodegradable cat litter. They are environmentally friendly because their substrate is wood. Pine pellet litter is made of compressed wood fiber. It is made from a variety of organic materials such as wood shavings, wood chips, and sawdust. Pine is a softwood, just like redwood, fir, cypress, and cedar.

    Pine pellets are a great biodegradable substitute because the raw material is readily available and sustainable. It is a lot cheaper than the widely-used clay litter. Because of the pine pellets non-clumping nature and large size, it does not stick to your cats paws. This avoids the possibility of your cat licking the litter off of its paws and ingesting it, possibly causing gastrointestinal obstructions.

    Before using pine pellets for your cat, make sure your cat is not to it. Some cats may react negatively to the resins found in pine and cedar pellets. The same goes if your cat has asthma, as the sawdust may trigger a reaction.

    Step Two: Get An Extra Litter Box

    You will need an extra litter box. If you transition your cats to pellet litters too quickly and they don’t like the texture of the litter and have no alternative to the litter, they may decide to create their own litter box in a location of their choosing.

    You can start by placing about 1/2 inch of pellets into the new litter box and placing the new box next to the old one.

    • If the cats start using that one regularly, great! You’re a million miles ahead already. Start transitioning their other litter box as mentioned below.
    • If your cats won’t use it, put the litter away and start transitioning the new box as mentioned below. Leave their regular litter in the old box.

    What Are Wood Pellets

    Wood pellets are made of compressed wood fiber. Animal bedding pellets are created from dry sawdust placed under high pressure and high temperatures making them super absorbent. Energy Pellets of America makes pellets from discarded pallets that are no longer useful in the shipping process. Our pellets are renewable, biodegradable and all natural.

    Wood pellets are commonly used as heating fuel and animal bedding. Wood pellets are an increasingly popular replacement for cat litter, too.

    Small Pet Select Premium Pine Pelleted Cat Litter

    How to Use Pine Pellet Litter (Arm and Hammer Feline Pine)

    Another fantastic choice is the Small Pet Select Premium Pine Pelleted Cat Litter. As the name suggests, this kitty litter is made from 100% pine pellets with no additional additives or harmful chemicals. This is not only great for the environment as it is biodegradable but also makes it one of the safest cat litters there is on the market.

    The all-natural pine pellets also have a wonderfully natural, woody scent. This effectively covers any odors and helps to ensure your home smells lovely. Besides, being an extremely absorbent material, the wood pellets will quickly soak up any urine before it has a chance to stink out your home.

    This is also a non-clumping pellet litter, and so the pellets turn to sawdust when soaked in urine. As the pellets are large, separating the fine dust from the intact pellets is easy. Using any generic litter scoop or sifting litter box should be all you need to sort the two, so cleaning is simple! Besides, with heavier and larger particles, and with this being a low dust litter, tracking around your home is also minimal.

    Unfortunately, these larger pellets do make it slightly uncomfortable on your cats paws. Most cats will get used to the change over time, but when transitioning from a clay litter it may take cats a little longer than usual. Also, be careful not to step on any pellets that end up scattered on the floor, as you may hurt your feet too!

    Pros

    Different Types Of Wood Litter Are They All Pellets

    Wood pellets are a very popular option, especially considering you can get them for so cheap. Wood pelleted litter comes in many brands like Feline Pine, Frisco, and Simply Pine .

    But the pellets arent the only options for wood litter. They also sell grounded wood litter thats meant to clump. The clumps arent as strong as traditional clay clumps, but they still can make the box easier to clean.

    Some of the grounded litter is 100% pine, but other types have mixtures of wood and corn .

    Not As Effective At Controlling The Smell Of Poop

    While pine pellets are fantastic at minimizing the odors of urine and ammonia, theyre not so great at managing the smell of poop. Whats worse is that some cats, because of the texture of pellet litters, wont bury their poop in pellets.

    With all of the other benefits of pine pellets, we simply recommend being quick to scoop solids to manage the smell of poop. If thats not something you want to do, consider using a granular, plant-based litter instead where your cat is more likely to bury their waste.

    Just be sure to stay away from those potentially harmful artificial fragrances.

    Wood Pellet Cat Litter: Cons

    • Wood pellet litters are a bit more pricey in general when compared to usual clay-based litters.
    • It may be hard to switch to pellet litter because most cats prefer fine-grained texture as litter.
    • The fact that wood pellet litters dont clump can be considered a drawback for people that are used to scooping clumping litter.
    • Some cats may not like the scent of pine or they may be allergic to the material.

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