 It's rare that I offer an unsolicited review of a cat product, especially one that has nothing to do with cat food. But I'm so jazzed about a new product that I stumbled on at my fave local holistic pet supply store, PetSage, that I'm going for it. If you ever read my page on litter boxes (note to self: update litter box page), you know that I whine about the fact that I'd never found the truly ideal cat litter. One that didn't have perfumes or additives in it. And that wasn't dusty. And that clumped well and was not environmentally hideous like clay. And, most important, was a cat litter that was truly cat-friendly - soft on the paws. Some litters had some of those features, but no single litter I'd found had all of those qualities. It was always a compromise. When I was at PetSage, the store owner - my dear friend Terri - showed me a new product she'd just gotten in. It's called SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter by Pioneer Pet Products. I picked up a bag from the shelf and the first thing that hit me was how very light the bag was for the volume of litter it contained. Be still my heart. Cat litter that doesn't tear rotator cuffs? I once injured my shoulder (for real) moving a big heavy bag of cat litter off a store shelf to get it in my shopping cart. I looked at the bag and saw what the ingredient was and I confess I was skeptical that it really clumped. The only ingredient? Grass. That's it. Just grass. Grass that's specially chopped and extruded somehow (don't ask me how) to make it clump-able. But only grass. Since fools rush in and I'm one, I bought a couple of bags, figuring it was worth a try. I pulled out a spare empty litter box - leaving the two existing litter boxes untouched - and filled it up with the SmartCat. I didn't detect ANY dust. So far, so good. Light weight. Not dusty. Sidney-Beans immediately came to investigate and pawed around in the box and gave me instant pee-feedback on the clumping qualities of the litter. Using a five-star rating system, I'd easily give it five stars. This stuff is seriously great at clumping. Light weight. Not dusty. Clumps. Wilson initially opted to continue using the old box with my regular litter (Dr. Elsey's). I was intrigued enough that I wrote the company to confirm that this stuff truly was only grass and that there was nothing else in there. They answered me immediately and with assurances it was only grass. I began to slowly switch the litter in the old boxes over to the SmartCat. Because I'm superstitious and terrified of cats not using their litter boxes, I took a (probably unnecessary) extra step of tossing in a little of the Dr. Elsey's Cat Attractant in the new litter for the first couple of weeks, just to make sure my fellows were drawn to the new litter. They were. It's been three full weeks now and I declare this experiment a smashing success. I've found the cat litter of my dreams. 1. It clumps as well as clay litter, if not better. The folks who came up with this amazing stuff made a super fun and silly video showing the power of the clump of their litter. 2. It doesn't break your back to carry or lift a bag of this stuff. Bonus! 3. It is biodegradable and therefore infinitely more environmentally kind to Mother Earth than clay litter. Hallelujah. 4. It is soft on a cat's paws. Awesome. 5. It's not dusty. Better for your lungs and your cats' lungs. Yay! 6. It doesn't contain any silly or dangerous perfumes or additives. Thank you. 7. Cats dig using it. Shazzam. Cross my heart, Pioneer Pet Products didn't ask for my review or offer me any freebies or enticements for a positive review. Though, hey, if they want to send me some free bags, I'm not going to offend them by declining the offer. Just saying. I wanted to share this because I know that many of you share the same frustrations I've had with most cat litters. This product is very new to the market and I don't think it's yet widely available in a lot of stores - though you can order it online. Two thumbs and four dew-claws up for this stuff! 
19 Comments
12/11/2014 08:53:54 am
Thank you for sharing!! As a holistic vet and carer of 9 (nine, 7 at home and 2 "clinic staff") cats we are eagerly waiting for this product to be sold in Malaysia. Will DEFINITELY use (and recommend) it! 12/11/2014 10:23:34 am
I've been okay with Green Tea Leaves...light, CHEAP, non-toxic, and clumps okay..have you used this one, and if so do you like the smart cat grass one better? (Guess so, duh? But just wondering if you HAVE used the green Tea Leaves one? 12/11/2014 11:59:55 am
I'm dyed in the wool Dr. Elsey's fan but, I have to admit that this intrigues me. I might have to give it a try. I'm curious, though, as to why the company is coming out with another variety that appears to be a hybrid of the grass and clay. If the grass works so well? Perhaps I will write to them and ask. Thanks for the review.
Terri B
12/14/2014 02:24:29 am
I wonder if it is to offer a better option to 100% clay litters at something less than the $30 per 20 lbs that this litter is sold at. I'd love to try it, but buying Dr. Elsey's has even been a strain on my bank account. And this is nearly 3 times as costly. 12/11/2014 06:19:44 pm
I'd really really really (did I say really?!) LOVE this! I do hope they make it available in the UK.
mel
12/12/2014 01:05:50 am
there is a cat litter in the uk called cats best okoplus organic litter avail at pets at home or online. made of natural fibres, biodegradable, clumping, no perfumes or addtives, looks and acts just like this one. have been using it for the last year and my fussy one wont use anything else, and neither will I! so easy, clean and aborbs those poerfuls smells too....totally recomend it :)
I know the feeling of searching for the best litter. I would love to try this one but I live in Europe and doubt I could find it :-/ I am so happy more brands are working on eco-friendly litter. I just posted on my blog about wood pellet litter which I am now obsessed with and is a working like a dream (and is also about $10 a year for one cat). I have also been feeding 100% for just over a year now and couldn't be more happy! Thank you so much for your website, it has helped me so much!
Patty Spaulding
6/22/2015 03:01:50 am
I have several kitties, 36 to be exact. I am not a hoarder, but have my own rescue group for kitties. I have one kitty that has terrible food allergies, and have tried everything! The usual vet recommend treatments, different prescription diets, ect. All have not been successful. She is twelve years old, and this started two years ago. Her symptoms are itchy ears, and terrible diarrhea. The only relief she gets is from the medication the vet has her on, which I really don't like to give her, but I do. The prednisolone only masks the systems. I have finally found your web site and I am so very excited to read folks having success with the raw food diets. I immediately ordered my food grinder and started gathering supplies. This morning i made my first batch of raw food for Sweetie, and she loved it. I hope this is her answer. She can not eat chicken, and I have been using duck. Hopefully it will work. I have been trilingual to source rabbit as a alternative food. She has lost so much weight during this, and she has terrible belly cramps sometimes, but still has a appetite. So wish me luck! I hope for the best. Thank you for your wonderful commitment to the kitties!
Lynn C
8/29/2015 12:09:59 pm
I've used Dr. Elsey's clumping litter for years, but got all excited about this new lighterweight option. Sadly it only lasted a few moments in my household.
wendy
8/22/2016 11:32:18 am
oh my Lynn. I laughed so much reading your posting. i can totally imagine your kitty eating the litter. I also adopted a street cat and she also has food neurosis and insecurity so she will eat everything including my human food of left overs (once she ate solidified bacon fat i left on the stove. the entire pan full of it whereas my other two cats won't dare to do such). anyway, i plan to try this litter out. thank you for your review. :) 8/10/2016 05:26:44 am
Hi
Bill D
1/13/2017 02:53:55 am
I switched to the SmartCat litter a few weeks ago. It's the best litter I have ever used BUT don't expect it to have zero dust. It does have some dust but not as much as others so I'll keep using it.
Susan
5/5/2017 02:27:00 am
There's also another one called Fresh 4 Life - Eco Clump sold at Pet Valu here in Canada, grass just like the smart cat one and no dust - love it!! I have 4 cats, 5 big open litter boxes which are cleaned at least 3x/day and its awesome. Added bonus like the Smart Cat is how light it is - definitely a plus on garbage day - Pricey compared to your basic clumping litter, but you get what you pay for - by far the best form of litter out there.....
CAT
3/26/2017 10:48:21 am
I absolutely LOVE "Smart Cat" litter also! But, even though its more light weight, it still puts quite a burden on my paycheck. Does anyone know HOW this is made or if I could just use regular grass seed instead?
lorraine
2/6/2018 04:18:07 pm
I have literally tried EVERY kind of cat litter... clay is toxic and all of them were dusty, the natural litters are all way too dusty and don't clump well...but this, this magic stuff! Light, absorbent, no dust. I used to change the entire box every week, now I can do it much less often. No lingering smells. I have found THE ONE and my cats love it too. Which is also important. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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