Understanding Eco-Certifications for Cat Litter

Products that break down naturally through biological processes. For cat litter, this typically means plant-based materials. Clay litter is not biodegradable. Even so, the FTC says landfills don't give anything the conditions to fully break down within a year.

FSC certification means wood products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. For wood-based cat litters, this ensures the pine, cedar, or other wood wasn't sourced from old-growth forests or illegal logging operations.

A compostable label covers the litter itself, not the waste your cat leaves in it. The EPA says waste from meat-eating pets belongs in the garbage, not a compost pile, because composting doesn't reliably kill its parasites.

"Flushable" is a marketing claim, not a safety rating. California requires every cat litter sold there to carry a do-not-flush statement, flushable or not. Here's why we say never flush.

Products made from plants that can be regrown annually, unlike clay which is mined and takes millions of years to form. Renewable resource litters have a much lower environmental footprint and are typically biodegradable.

Important for cats (and humans) with respiratory sensitivities. Clay litter is particularly dusty and contains silica particles. Many natural alternatives produce significantly less dust, making them healthier for everyone in the household.