Cat Nutrition
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • CREDITS
  • FOODMAKING
    • RECIPES
    • PICTORIAL
    • SUPPLIES
    • TIPS
  • DISEASES
    • DIABETES
    • IBD
    • OBESITY
    • PERIODONTAL DISEASE
    • URINARY TRACT ISSUES
  • CARE
    • CLEANING
    • LITTERBOX
  • RESOURCES
    • FAQ
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • TRANSLATIONS
  • VETS
    • OPEN LETTER TO VETS
    • SAMPLE HANDOUT
  • Say Thanks
  • BLOG

Blog

The Cat Litter of My Dreams

12/11/2014

27 Comments

 
Picture
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!  



Picture
27 Comments
Dr Susanna Hofherr link
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!

Reply
Cynthia Burke link
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?

Reply
Anne link
12/11/2014 09:02:27 pm

Hi Cynthia - never heard of the "Green Tea Leaves" litter, no. Then again, I don't get out much. :)

Reply
Molly Barr link
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.

Reply
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.

Reply
Anne link
12/31/2014 05:38:34 pm

On the cost, Terri - bear in mind that you need less in terms of weight to fill a cat box. This stuff weighs so much less than Dr. Elsey's that comparing price by weight really doesn't work - a pound of this stuff has MUCH more volume than Dr. Elsey's.

Siamese Caroline link
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.

Reply
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 :)

Reply
Jenna link
12/31/2014 04:35:57 am

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!

meowlifestyle.blogspot.com

Reply
Anne link
12/31/2014 05:36:42 pm

Thanks, Jenna! So happy to be turned on to your great blog - I'm so enjoying going through it.

Reply
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!

Reply
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.
I currently have 2 cats, and one of them was probably starved as a kitten before I adopted him, because he has a neurosis about food. He will eat just about anything, and we have to lock up the garbage, secure the fridge door, and keep anything out of cupboards he might get into. (He once got into a bag of birdseed and chowed down - I scooped thousands of seeds out of the litterbox for the next week). Needless to say, he was a breeze to switch to a raw food diet, and is otherwise a healthy, energized, friendly guy. (And a totally reliable alarm clock about mealtimes.)
So, what's all this got to do with grass litter? Well, as soon as I poured the new stuff into the box, he charged in and started scarfing it down!!!!! I had to drag him out of there and redo the whole set-up back to the clay. He spent the next few days sniffing around trying to find the bag (locked in the garage until I got it off the premises).
So we're sticking to clay over here. Was so looking forward to less dust and lighter bags to lug home from the store. Oh well, nice try!

Reply
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. :)

Reply
jon Scales link
8/10/2016 05:26:44 am

Hi

I just read your article.
Thanks for sharing that, I learned a lot from it! By the way, which would you recommend, covered or uncovered litter trays? It’s something I get asked quite often from my own blog’s readers http://www.cattree.uk and I would love to know what you might think of it.

Also … What do you think about my resource on cats not using the litter box? (http://cattree.uk/cat-not-using-litter-box-complete-guide/)
I would love if I could get feedback on it from an expert like yourself!
I’m doing my best to get this in front of people who could really benefit from it, so if you even decide to share the article with your own readers, I would really appreciate it!!

Thanks,

Jon

Reply
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.

Reply
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.....

Reply
Barbara
9/15/2019 05:05:38 pm

Susan, this is what I use in the US, and LOVE IT! Sounds very similar to Smart Cat...same price.

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?

Reply
Cindy
11/26/2018 03:32:16 pm

You likely know by now that they make and sell grass seed litters so yes, you could likely buy your own. I personally would buy organic seed so your cats weren't getting a ton of Roundup or other pesticides in their litter and then licking it off their paws. Of course, if you don't bother buying organic foods then your cats are already full of Roundup and GMO's...

Reply
Toki link
1/31/2018 06:25:09 pm

Goodness, you just put me over the edge to buy this litter. I was planning to get the sWheat but I really like this one instead! I am currently using the clay litter and now that I researched the "poop" out of litters, I think I'm going with this one to try. Thanks!

Reply
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.

Reply
MEOW CAT
11/6/2018 04:33:24 pm

Both my cats and I LOVE that litter, but I found it was quite a bit cheaper to purchase from DrsFosterSmith.com where their own brand of grass seed litter is simply called “Drs Foster and Smith All Natural Clumping Litter”. Also, if you use Auto-Ship like I do (delivered automatically to your front door at any interval of weeks you wish) it’s even cheaper!

Again, I totally agree with everyone on here who says it’s the best litter yet, and my 4 cats all give it a thumbs up, too!

Reply
Cindy
11/26/2018 03:30:21 pm

Drsfosterandsmith, as of yet, does not sell grass SEED litter. They sell Grass Litter, which is the one you named. Two different things.
I personally am currently using So Phresh Grass Seed Litter from Petco, which I love. 5 cats, lasts over a month in one extra large box and absolutely zero smell. Zero dust since the pieces are large grained. Tracks like all do, but better tracking than dusty litters.

I've noticed that the grass blade litter has more small pieces, meaning more dust and more tracking. Not sure how long it lasts without any urine or ammonia smell.

Reply
Mary Sue
1/30/2019 12:20:06 pm

I was told that the SoPhresh from Petco and the natural clumping grass seed litter from DrsFoster Smith are SmartCat litter rebranded. Chewy now has one under their brand, Frisco. I just called and they said they make it. I'm going to double check with the SmartCat people (Pioneer Pet) to confirm. Unfortunately, DrsFosterSmith had the best price when on sale, but they will no longer exist after Feb. 12. They don't have any of this litter available any more. I just went to order some. This SmartCat and the 2 rebranded Smart Cat litters are our favorite litter for all the reasons mentioned. The cats started using it immediately.

Reply
Tanisha K Lane
3/26/2019 11:43:08 am

I just recently tried a grass seed litter from so phresh because the smart cat one isn't available in my area. I love it and my cats do too and like you said it's safer all around to use. I'm glad I switched.

Reply
Kali link
7/30/2019 11:10:09 am

Thank you for this interesting read. I just adopted a cat and I am looking for things she would need for daily activities. I'll surely keep in mind to try this kind of cat litter and hopefully she'll love it. Kali @ <a href="https://www.caninetradegroup.com">Become A Dog Trainer</a>

Reply
Marian link
8/27/2019 06:59:29 am

Agree with you, I have used SmartCat for many years for my little bean. I also introduced a lot of friends to use it, most people are happy except that it does not smell perfume to reduce the smell, but I like the smell of grass it brings. In Catthink, we often use a filter bag on top of the coffee grounds, it almost absorbs all the smell of urine as well as the smell of cats. Therefore, using SmartCat becomes perfect.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Follow @catnutritionorg

    Older Stuff

    September 2016
    July 2015
    December 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    September 2010
    February 2010
    September 2009
    August 2008
    May 2008
    September 2007
    August 2007

    RSS Feed

CAT FOOD RECIPES  |   FOODMAKING PICTORIAL  |  FAQ   |  TESTIMONIALS  |  BLOG
The Important Fine Print:  Information on catnutrition.org is for general information purposes only and is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. The content on this site is written by a lay person with no veterinary training. This website is not intended to replace professional advice from your veterinarian and nothing on this site is intended as a medical diagnosis or treatment. Questions about your animal's health should be directed to a professional animal health care provider.

© Copyright 2003-2021  CatNutrition.org. All Rights Reserved.
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • CREDITS
  • FOODMAKING
    • RECIPES
    • PICTORIAL
    • SUPPLIES
    • TIPS
  • DISEASES
    • DIABETES
    • IBD
    • OBESITY
    • PERIODONTAL DISEASE
    • URINARY TRACT ISSUES
  • CARE
    • CLEANING
    • LITTERBOX
  • RESOURCES
    • FAQ
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • TRANSLATIONS
  • VETS
    • OPEN LETTER TO VETS
    • SAMPLE HANDOUT
  • Say Thanks
  • BLOG