Pine Cat Litter is one of the newest litters on the market. Unlike traditional or even newer clay clumping litters, pine litter has its own inherent odor control due to pine’s natural odor-eliminating properties. Therefore, it has become popular among cat owners because it greatly reduces the crate smell inside the home.
Many people are initially put off by the cost. And, compared to the bundled variety, it’s likely to be about double the price per volume. However, it works by using pine pellets which are compressed wood and as these pellets get wet they turn into sawdust. This sawdust itself can absorb even more liquid. Therefore, by use, it is just as cost effective as the more traditional types.
However, there is a downside and that is that many cats do not like to use it. The pellets themselves can be rough on the feet and many cats never get used to this. Therefore, of course, the opinion of your cat is going to be the most important element in the end when choosing the type of small that you will use. However, if your cat seems to avoid litter at first, you can institute an “adjustment” period. Mix your regular cat litter with pine, starting with a small amount of pine and a larger amount of regular litter. Gradually reduce the amount of regular sand and increase the amount of pine sand used until you are using all of the pine sand. Many cats get used to using pine in this way, although some do not. If your cat doesn’t, of course, then this won’t be for you. Obviously, there are no benefits if your cat doesn’t even use the box.
Some cat owners prefer to use mostly pine with a small amount of traditional litter sprinkled on top permanently. This gives them the odor control of pine litter with its advantages, yet keeps cats comfortable to use the box if they don’t like pine.
One of the main concerns about pine litter is that it smells quite a bit like pine. While this is nice to humans, it can be off-putting to sensitive cat noses. Therefore, this litter may not be something your cat likes because of the smell it gives off. However, you should know that there are no longer any toxic pine oils inside the sand. They have all been removed and it is perfectly safe for cats to use.
Finally, if you live in a place where your litter can be composted, pine cat litter is a compostable material once the feces have been removed. This can be an environmental advantage of using pine over other types of litter. The last word, of course, will come from your cat. If he or she likes it, then it’s a good, cost-effective way to control odor in your home and make cleaning your box more convenient. If he or she doesn’t, you may need to continue with your regular litter.