Cat Litter Alternatives to Clay
Eight clay-free litters, what each is made of, and what to use when you need a stand-in fast.
Why Look Past Clay
Clay litter starts in an open pit. Clumping clay is made with bentonite, which is surface-mined, and one clay litter maker says its clumping litter is not biodegradable. The eight cat litter alternatives below are made from wood, paper, grains or plant fibers instead. None is perfect. Many cats prefer a sandy, clumping feel, so whichever you pick, switch slowly.
Quick Comparison: All 8 Eco-Friendly Litter Types
| Litter Type | Made From | Clumps? |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo | Bamboo fiber | Check the bag |
| Corn | Corn | Yes for World's Best |
| Grass | Grass | Check the bag |
| Paper | Recycled paper | Most pellets don't |
| Tofu | Soy | Check the bag |
| Walnut | Walnut shells | Check the bag |
| Wheat | Wheat | Yes for sWheat Scoop |
| Wood | Wood pellets or fibre | Pellets no, some fibre litters yes |
Plant-Fiber Litters
Bamboo Litter
Plant fiber
Litter made from bamboo fiber. The guide covers what it is and how it compares with clay.
Grass Litter
Plant fiber
Litter made from grass. We found no independent test of how cats take to it, so the guide sticks to what it is made of.
Paper Litter
Recycled paper
Recycled paper pellets or crumbles. The ASPCA names paper for the litter box for at least a week after surgery.
Wood-Based Litters
Wood Litter
Pellets and clumping fibre
Pellets that crumble to sawdust, or wood fibre that clumps. Brands say their wood is kiln-dried or reclaimed from lumber production.
Walnut Litter
Crushed shells
Litter made from crushed walnut shells.
Grain-Based Litters
Corn Litter
Grain-based
Corn-based litter. World's Best, a corn brand, sells its clumps as flushable, but California says not to flush any litter.
Wheat Litter
Grain-based
Wheat-based litter. sWheat Scoop tells buyers to flush clumps a few at a time. The sources we checked say bag them instead.
Tofu Litter
Soy-based
Litter made from soy.
Quick Decision Guide
Which one controls odor best?
We found no independent test that ranks litter types on smell. Daily scooping does the most. If smell is the worry, you can also mix in activated carbon.
Easiest switch from clay?
Pick one that clumps. Vet guidelines say cats generally prefer sandy, clumping litter, so a clumping wood, corn or wheat litter is the closer match. Mix it in slowly.
Which ones can I flush?
None. California makes every litter bag warn against flushing, and water treatment does not kill the Toxoplasma parasite. Bag it and bin it. See our flushable cat litter guide.
Least dust?
Paper pellet makers claim 99% to 99.7% dust-free. A USDA test litter made from cedar cut dust by 60% against bentonite clay.
Cat just had surgery?
Use paper. The ASPCA says shredded paper, a paper litter or uncooked long-grain rice for at least a week. Our shredded paper guide has the details.
Which ones break down?
The plant ones can. But no one has published a tested breakdown time, and the FTC says landfills don't allow full breakdown within a year. See our biodegradable cat litter guide.
Cat Litter Alternatives: Common Questions
Ready to Make the Switch?
Mix the new litter in a little at a time. The switching guide walks you through it. If smell is what keeps sending you back to clay, see how activated carbon works on litter odor. Purrify is activated carbon sold in bags. It holds a 5.0 Google rating and is stocked in 40+ pet stores across Canada: see the bags.
Read the Switching Guide