Eco-Friendly Cat Products: Make Paw-sitive Choices for Our Planet
Even your kitty can go green!
These days, many people are making more eco-conscious choices for the products they use every day. Those choices can be extended to pet care for a more sustainable world.
While the carbon pawprint of a cat isn’t quite as big as that of a large dog, cats do still have a significant impact on our planet. With over 220 million cats living in our homes worldwide, we have a responsibility to reduce that impact.
In general, traditional cat products contain many plastics, chemicals, and non-renewable materials. And many of these products end up in landfills.
But, more and more, people are demanding more eco-friendly and sustainable products for their pets and the choices for greener products is slowly growing.
If you’d like to reduce your carbon footprint, the products you use for your cat’s care are a great place to start.
But, where can we make these changes and what are some solutions for more sustainable and earth-friendly cat care? Let’s talk about it…
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1) Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
Traditional clay cat litter, while a natural product, is made from strip-mining the absorbent clays from the ground and then crushing and drying the raw materials in kilns. There are more eco-friendly choices to be made for your cat’s litter needs.
Please note that you will need to transition your cat from their current litter to the new litter over a 4 week period by starting with just a ¼ of the new litter added to the old litter and then increasing this amount each week. If your cat refuses to use their box, you may have to take a step back or try a different type of litter to find one they will use. But most cats will make the transition if given a proper adjustment period.
And, while eco-friendly materials used for litter appear more expensive, they usually last longer than traditional litter, meaning less material used for a greater value and reduced environmental impact.
Pine Pellets- This lightweight product made from reclaimed pine is naturally deodorizing, highly absorbent, biodegradable, and cost-effective. Urine soaked pellets break down into sawdust, making this litter perfect for a litter box with a built-in sifter, such as this box.
Tofu Litter- Tofu litter is dust-free, low-tracking, compostable(for non-edible gardens) or flushable in small amounts(not for septic systems), and non-toxic.
Recycled Paper Litter- Cat litter made from compressed recycled paper is dust-free, soft on kitty toes, lightweight, low-tracking and an eco-friendly option for your cat. It’s biodegradable, compostable and non-allergenic.
Corn Cob Litter- Made with corn cobs, this product uses a bi-product of corn production, making it an eco-friendly choice. It’s dust-free, absorbent, and 95% plant-based. It also contains natural starches and pet-safe bio-enzymes to break down urine and ammonia odours on contact.
Pea Husk Litter- Made from recycled pea husks, and food-grade ingredients like starch, guar gum, and corn powder, absorbing up to 3 times it’s weight in moisture, offering a greener product for pet parents.
Natural sisal rope covered balls make ideal toys for your eco-friendly cat
2) Natural Cat Toys
Many cat toys are made from plastic and synthetic fabrics. But there are more and more eco-friendly options for your kitty. Here are just a few examples:
Shelby the Hemp Mouse- This cute little mouse is made from natural hemp material, and is filled with organic catnip for a natural and biodegradable that your cat will love.
Felted Wool Balls- Soft, quiet, and made with natural wool in Nepal for a sustainable and fun choice for your kitty! If you’ve ever used wool dryer balls and found that your cat is fascinated with them, you’ll know why these balls are a great choice for your kitty!
Sisal Cat Balls- Sisal rope is made from the Agave sisalana plant, a plant that grows quickly in poor soil and needs very little water or chemical pesticides, making sisal rope a very green option to use for pet toys, such as these fun toy balls.
3) Earth Friendly Cat Bed
Let’s face it, all cats need plenty of sleep. The average cat will sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, with kittens and senior cats sleeping up to 20 hours or more. Giving your cat comfortable and safe places is critical to their well-being and happiness.
Meowfia Wool Cat Cave- Many cats love a cozy little cat cave to hide inside and play. These merino wool cat caves are 100% natural and free from chemicals and synthetic materials. Your kitty will love this cozy little nest and the planet approves!
Hand-woven Cotton Cat Bed- Made with 100% natural cotton rope, this cozy basket is an eco-friendly option for cats.
Natural Instincts with Natural Materials
Scratching is a natural and healthy instinct for your cat so eco-friendly options for your cat to fulfill this instinct are a good way to go green!
4) “Greener” Cat Scratchers
Cats scratch because it’s a normal, healthy instinct. They need to scratch to stretch their muscles in their toes, feet, legs, shoulders, and and back, to shed old claws, and fulfill their need to mark their territory. Having a place for your cat to scratch will, hopefully, prevent them from using your furniture.
Recycled Cardboard Cat Scratcher- This cat scratching board is made from 100% recycled, natural, and non-toxic materials. The scratching pads are also double sided to extend its life.
Sisal and Wood Cat Tree- Made from natural rubberwood, sisal, and bamboo for an eco-friendly and durable perch for cats with plenty of spots to sharpen their claws and stretch their muscles.
5) Compostable Cat Litter Disposal Bags
If you need to bag your cat litter for a green bin or simply to discard it, using a compostable bag is the right choice for your cat’s litter waste.
Panther Armor Litter Bags- Made from compostable materials that break down over time, reducing plastic waste, these bags are sturdy and fragrance-free.
6) Bio-Enzyme Cleaners
Instead of using strong chemicals to try to clean up(or mask) and get rid of the smell of cat urine or feces, use an enzyme cleaner to naturally break down stains and odours.
Eco Strong Enzyme Cleaner- Made with non-toxic ingredients, this cleaner contain bacteria that release bio-enzymes to naturally attack stains and odours.
Ez-Clean Bioenzyme Odour and Stain Remover- Professional grade and highly concentrated naturally occurring enzymatic bacteria that gets rid of odours and degrades organic waste.
If your cat needs to wear a collar, choosing one made from eco-friendly materials is a green option for your kitty.
7) Natural Cat Collars
If your cat needs a collar for identification, you can choose an eco-friendly material that is both comfortable and safe for your pet and better for the environment.
Pawtitas Eco-friendly Cat Collar- This breakaway collar is made from recycled water bottles, making it a greener choice for your kitty than traditional nylon collars.
Pettsie Breakaway Cat Collar with Friendship Bracelet- Want a stylish connection with your feline friend? How about a collar made with soft, durable cotton and a matching friendship bracelet to showcase your bond with your kitty and your commitment to a greener world?
8) Earth-Friendly Cat Shampoo
While cats rarely need to be bathed, their are times when they may need to be cleaned.
Using a waterless shampoo, containing natural ingredients, will be easier on you, your cat, and the environment.
But, like with human shampoos, it’s not always easy to find an eco-friendly and safe product.
Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo- This waterless shampoo contains 99.3% natural ingredients and is free from fragrances, sulfates, and dyes. Even the bottle is made from recycled plastic.
9) Sustainable and Safe Bowls
Using food and water bowls for your cat that are more eco-friendly and safer for your cat is a great way to go green. There are several options for bowls that are friendlier to the environment than plastic.
Stainless Steel- These whisker-friendly stainless steel bowls are extremely durable and will last for years to come. And, at the end of their life, they are highly recyclable.
Loving Pets Dolce Bamboo- These bowls are made from renewable and sustainable bamboo for an eco-friendly option.
Wheat Straw- These pet plates are made from natural wheat straw fiber, BPA free, and are non-toxic. Since they’re unbreakable, their durability will make them last a long time.
10) Eco-Friendly Litter Box
Eco-friendly litter boxes can replace traditional plastic boxes with more sustainable choices.
Stainless Steel Litter Box- Stainless steel litter boxes are extremely durable and long lasting. They will not hold onto scents, making them easy to clean. And, eventually, they are able to be recycled.
Disposable Litter Boxes- Made from 100% biodegradable cardboard this disposable cat litter box can be useful, even for eco-conscious pet parents. These boxes are useful when travelling or for emergency use such as evacuation emergencies.
Final Thoughts
While it’s not always easy to find greener products for your cat, it’s worth the effort. Not only are eco-friendly products better for the environment, they are often safer and healthier options for your cat.
As consumers demand more sustainable and environmentally friendly products for their pets, the
So, when you’re shopping for supplies for your cat, keep the planet in mind and choose products to go green for a healthier planet and a healthier kitty!
Related Article
If, like me, you have both a dog and cat in your home, check out this article to help you make eco-friendly choices for your dog care needs!
