If you have a few fuzzy faces around the house, you are well aware of the “box battle”. In fact, you are most likely waging a war against it as we speak. And, when we say waging a war, we primarily mean the never-ending quest to make your home smell like there isn’t a litter box on the premises.
Now, if you are strategic about this, you have also probably tried many different types of cat litter. Finding a good option that will clump, is easy to clean, won’t track through the house, plus eliminate and reduce odors, can be difficult. Interestingly enough, there is one litter option that tends to fall below the radar, and that is pine litter.
So, today we are going to dig deep into this particular kind of cat toilet filler, and figure out if it is worth the hype or not!
Pine Litter for Cats
What Is Pine Litter?
First, the basics. Pine litter is a natural product that is made of wood pulp. The wood (typically pine) is ground down, pressed, and sanitized. It is then made into pellet form which is what you will get when you purchase this type of litter.
When your tabby uses the box, the moisture breaks down the pellets which absorb the liquid. The natural pine scent and absorbent material of the pressed wood also help reduce ammonia odors and other unpleasant smells.
This litter is very lightweight, plus some brands can be flushed down the toilet. Due to the consistency of the wood pellets, it is easily broken down. You will not have to worry about clogs or blocks in your plumbing system, or a backup your septic tank.
Pine litter does not use any artificial fragrance to mask odors. Instead, the wood pulp formula does an excellent job of neutralizing and reducing the smell of ammonia and urine. That being said, it does not always do the greatest job of stopping the smell of poo.
Another factor, however, is the natural pine smell. Depending on your personal preference, you may like or hate the woodsy fragrance. Keep in mind, though, the brand you pick can make a difference in how strong the smell of pine is, but it usually has more mellow and warm notes than, say, Pine-Sol, for example. The pine scent will also help mask poo-pourri.
What About Clumping?
Clumping litters are great since they make less work for you. Instead of having to clean and replace the entire contents of the cat box every 5–7 days, you simply have to scoop out the hard clumps that are formed by moisture combining with the litter (again, usually clay). Not only that, but the harder the clumps, the more odor control you will have as well.
Pine litter is notorious for not clumping, but the cat litter gods have come a long way in perfecting their formulas. You can now find some pellet litters that will dissolve and turn to clumps. Unfortunately, they are harder to find, and they are typically more expensive than the average pine litter.
As this type of cat box filler does not clump, the general procedure is to shift the litter box so the dirty sawdust falls to the bottom, and the fresh pellets move to the top. In a one cat home, you can go about 12–14 days without completely changing the box without any noxious odors.
Pine Litter Dust & Tracking
Ah, the dust. If you or your furball has any respiratory illnesses or you have allergies, a dusty litter can be a big problem. Even if you don’t suffer from anything, it can still coat your lungs and nose. What’s worse, dust that has silica in it can cause lung cancer.
When it comes to pine, however, there is little to no dust from the pellets. Another tough thing about dust, though, is it can track throughout your house and cause a mess. Litter is known to get stuck to your pet’s paws and track all over the place in its questionable sanitary condition. Pine has a lower track rate, but the wet sawdust can stick to your pet’s feet.
As we mentioned in the last section, it is important to sift the box, which brings the clean pellets to the surface. When this is done, you are less likely to have paw prints on your furniture.
Conclusion: Feline Pine Litter
One aspect of this litter we have not touched on yet is the cost. Interestingly enough, most cat owners spend more money on cat litter than they do on kitty food. As a matter of fact, you will generally spend about $1,000 in your first year of cat care.
With that being said, it is no wonder people like to opt for an affordable cat litter. When it comes to pine, it is actually pretty affordable on the natural litter spectrum, but it is slightly more costly than the average clumping litter.
In the long run, though, pine typically lasts longer than other natural options. Approximately 7 pounds will last for about a month. If you want an eco-friendly option, pine is the most affordable choice.
We hope you have enjoyed these reviews and they have given you a better perspective on pine cat litter. In our opinion, this is a great option if you want an eco-friendly litter that has good odor-fighting power. Plus, it is affordable. Not only will it last you a long time, but you will not have to worry about dust and a lot of tracking.
Featured Image: Chewy
