Posted by moderncat
I was quite pleased to see a decent selection of natural cat litter at my local Super Target the other day! So far they are carrying SwheatScoop, Arm & Hammer Essentials, Feline Pine (both scoopable and pellets), and Yesterday’s News. Didn’t see any World’s Best Cat Litter at Target, but I have seen it at the grocery store. This is good news!
Posted by moderncat
I think deceptive marketing is a terrible thing, especially when it can have a detrimental effect on the health and well being of cats. As a result of the research I have done, I am against using clay cat litter for a number of reasons. Here’s the summary:
BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
BAD FOR CAT’S HEALTH & HUMAN HEALTH
The alternative is to use a “natural” litter, one made from corn, soy, pine, paper and other natural, renewable resources. Here’s the deceptive part, CLAY IS NATURAL! So of course the manufacturers are printing that on their packages and using the term “natural” in all their marketing. Clay litters can also claim to be “chemical-free” and “naturally occurring.” Don’t be fooled! The fact is, it’s still clay!
PLEASE consider switching to a natural litter for your health and the health of your cats. I used clay litter for years before I learned about this issue, and I will admit, the natural litters just don’t work like the clay litter does, so switching can be frustrating. Plus, the natural litters can be pricey, but if you’re committed, you can find some great natural litters that will do the trick. You just have to be dedicated to stopping the use of clay litter.
(I guess this means that none of the clay litter manufacturers will be asking to advertise on Moderncat.)
Posted by moderncat
Moderncat reader Alexis sent in photos of some terrific DIY projects, all inspired by things that she read right here. First, she and her husband did an outstanding job creating this beautiful litter box hider. Due to space limitations, they needed a litter cabinet with an opening in the front, rather than on the side. They decided to build a custom wooden box (sized perfectly to fit their automatic litter box) using these directions from eHow. Then they borrowed an idea from this project on Instructables to place a grate inside the cabinet that helps reduce litter tracking. Finally, they used sticky-backed shelf paper to cut out the tree and bird silhouettes for decoration. After a little testing, Alexis noticed that the kitties were bypassing the grate and jumping straight out of the box, so she fashioned a barrier out of wood to create a passageway to the door.
I think the manufacturers of litter box hiders could learn a thing or two from this excellent design!
Alexis also made a recycled cardboard kitty pad and installed some nice climbing shelves inspired by several posts on Moderncat, including Julie’s shelves and this popular IKEA hack.
Great job!
Posted by moderncat
Looking for a Memorial Day bargain? Take 20% off eco-friendly and user-friendly Smart Cat Box starter kits and value paks now through Monday, May 25.
Posted by moderncat
IKEA Hacker recently posted two new litter box hacks. The first one is my favorite IKEA hack so far. Romina and her husband, who are both architects with an eye for modern design, made this beautiful litter box concealer with a Besta shelf unit, Besta Holmbo door, and Capita legs. By simply cutting the middle vertical panel in half, they created a passthrough for the cats to enter and exit their private litter box area. Well done!
The second litter box hack is nice, too. It uses the Norrebo storage bench with only the front panel of the drawer and a cute kitty face cut for the entrance.
Get all the details over on IKEA Hacker. Thanks to Moderncat readers Rupe and Rebekah for the heads-up.
Posted by moderncat
As you know, we love the Litter-Robot, and now they have added some new product enhancements to make it even better. In response to feedback from cat owners who have larger cats, they have created the new Bubble Globe (above left). This new globe has a skylight-like window in the back that adds 3 inches of depth to the litter chamber and provides natural light. You can purchase a new unit with the Bubble Globe or you can get the new globe separately and use it on your existing base.
Another new feature is the Lip Extender (shown above right). This plastic accessory fits on the entrance of the globe and helps send loose litter and other “misses” back into the globe.
In addition to the new product enhancements, the Litter-Robot is now offering a special ramp/scratcher/litter catcher. The ramp is designed to be placed in front of the globe entrance to help smaller or older cats enter the box, plus the corrugated cardboard can be used for scratching and, because the ramp has a solid cardboard bottom, it will catch litter that is tracked out of the box.
The folks at Litter-Robot are running a special contest. Record a video (2 minutes or less) of your cat entering, exiting, or using the Litter-Robot and upload your video to YouTube. Then send an email with 1) a link to your video, 2) your name, 3) your address, 4) your phone number, and 5) your email to star@litter-robot.com. One winner will receive a free Litter-Robot Bubble version and 10 second prize winners will receive a free ramp. Entries must be received by July 1, 2009. Complete details on the Litter-Robot blog. (This contest is not being run by Moderncat.)
Posted by moderncat
Congratulations to Janey A (comment #44), you’re the winner of the 1-year supply of the World’s Best Cat Litter!
Remember, if you didn’t win but you still want to try WBCL, download the special coupon for $2.00 off! WBCL can be found at many pet boutiques and grocery stores nationwide.
Thanks to everyone who entered!
Posted by moderncat
I just got word that the new ModKat litter box won the ICFF Editors Award for accessories. Congrats ModKat!
Thanks to all the Moderncat readers who gave feedback on the box. Hopefully it will help them refine the design before it goes to market.
Posted by moderncat
With a brand new website that just launched today and an upcoming debut at ICFF, I’d like to introduce the ModKat Litter Box. Litter is an area that is wide open for innovation and this new product is taking on the challenge. With modern style, innovative function, and attention to green design, we may have a winner here.
There are obviously cat owners on the team over at ModProducts, the product design firm behind ModKat. They’ve addressed many of the main litter box issues that we face. By considering the experience of both the cat and the owner, the design team incorporated several unique features in the ModKat Litter Box.
The ModKat box uses a top entry which fully encloses the box and gives cats a better sense of privacy. The top of the box has a perforated, non-skid surface that acts as a litter catcher sending loose litter back in the box. The top removes for easy cleaning and the compact design takes up minimal floor space.
This is the first litter box I’ve seen that comes with a washable, reusable liner. Made from durable rip-resistant tarpaulin material, the liner has sturdy built-in handles that make it easy to lift and empty. It fits perfectly inside the box so you don’t see it from the outside. No more plastic liners! That saves you money and it saves space in the landfill.
Attention to detail continues with the scoop, which has an ergonomic handle and rounded edges to make scooping easy. It even has a brush incorporated in the side for sweeping stray litter back into the box. And, of course, (my favorite thing!) there’s a place to hang the scoop on the side of the box.
The ModKat Litter Box is expected to be available this summer. You can sign-up at the ModKat website to receive notifications. In the meantime, I’m sure they would love to hear what you think so please leave a comment here with your thoughts. Maybe they’ll even offer one for a giveaway! 
Posted by moderncat
Here’s an awesome giveaway to start off the week! One lucky winner is going to receive a one-year supply of The World’s Best Cat Litter! And let me tell you, this product truly lives up to its name. WBCL is an all-natural cat litter made from whole-kernel corn, making it Earth-friendly on both ends of the cycle — corn is a renewable resource and it’s biodegradable. Not only is it good for the Earth, but it’s healthier and safer for you and your cats than traditional clay litter (see link below for more info on the dangers of clay litter).
To enter to win this great giveaway, please visit this special page at the WBCL site where you can sign-up to receive email updates from WBCL, plus there’s a discount coupon just for Moderncat readers. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling us what litter you currently use and what features of WBCL are most attractive to you. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on May 17. One entry per person. Limited to addresses in the US. The winner will receive 12 - 7 lb. bags of Extra Strength WBCL to be delivered in two shipments of 6 bags each.
Learn more about why it’s so important to switch from using clay litter to natural litter:
Posted by moderncat
Italian pet design importer Pet Ego just announced two new colors in their product line — chocolate and ivory. You can now get several of their most popular items, including the Vicci litterbox and Linda litter scoop, in these lovely mod hues.
Posted by moderncat
Congratulations to Amy B. (comment 447), winner of a 1-year supply of organic soybean cat litter! What an amazing giveaway! Thanks so much to The Organic Farm Store for this generous offer and for making such a great product. In fact, they are so generous, if you enter promotional code Moderncat at checkout, you will receive 25% off the Close to Naturenow organic cat litter, now through March 14.
Posted by moderncat
Have we got a giveaway for you this week! The folks at The Organic Farm Store are offering a free 1-year supply of organic soybean cat litter to one very lucky Moderncat reader! Close To Naturenow is 100% natural and organic cat litter made from soybean meal and granulated potato starch. There are absolutely no chemicals or clay products added in the production process, making this litter safe for cats and kittens.
To enter, please visit the Organic Farm Store website then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling us which feature of the organic soybean cat litter is most important to you (odor control, low tracking, easy scooping, etc). A random drawing will be held on Monday, February 23 and the winner will receive one 10 lb. bag of Close to Naturenow organic cat litter each month for 12 consecutive months. Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open only to addresses in the US.
This giveaway is now closed.
. . .
Learn more about why it’s so important to switch from using clay litter to natural litter:
Please read the following posts to learn more about flushing cat litter:
Posted by moderncat
There seems to be some controversy this week about whether or not pink is a suitable color for a true Moderncat fan. I would argue that in an appropriate shade — and in a reasonable amount — pink can be quite modern, especially in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Here are some of my favorite pink moderncat products:
Posted by moderncat
Remember the LitterPod from Litter Week? Well it’s finally available for purchase from at least one online retailer that I can find. If you’ve been waiting patiently to get one of these super cool covered litter boxes, now’s your chance! Get one now while supplies last.
Posted by moderncat
Introducing a stylish new line of contemporary pet furniture from designer Ree-Yong. The Copenhagen Collection includes several sleek, upscale pieces suitable for the hippest modern urban interiors. Featuring clean lines and durable, low-maintenance materials, these are definitely items you would be happy to have on display.
The Copenhagen Cat Condo consists of three stackable faux leather boxes. The top box is meant for storing toys and other accessories, the middle box is fitted with a washable mock suede cushion for luxury napping, and the bottom box houses a hidden litter box with disposable cardboard tray liner.
Coordinating with the cat condo is a faux leather Cat Scratch-bar with refillable cardboard insert and a beautiful Cat Dinnerware Set including a faux leather tray and two chunky square ceramic bowls.
The Copenhagen Collection comes in white or brown and is available at a handful of boutiques in Hong Kong or if you are in Singapore, please visit Glamorpuss where you can shop online or find a store. For orders outside Hong Kong and Singapore, you’ll have to contact Ree-Yong directly and they will be happy to assist you.
Posted by moderncat
In my last natural cat litter comparison I mentioned Close to Naturenow soybean cat litter from The Organic Farm Store. I recently had a chance to try it out myself and I found that it is a good alternative cat litter with some big advantages. The texture is similar to the Arm & Hammer Essentials (formerly High Performance) and Nature’s Miracle — light and fluffy and soft on kitty’s feet. It is made from organic soybeans with granulated potato starch added for odor control. Close to Naturenow offers similar clumping, odor control, and dust control as these other natural litters, but the biggest benefit is that it is made out of 100% natural organic ingredients. Yes, organic! Which is almost impossible to find in a kitty litter. I have to admit that I felt so good about using an organic product, that performance became secondary. If using products that are organic, natural, and completely renewable is important to you, then you should definitely check out this litter.
Close to Naturenow is available in a resealable 10 lb bag, a convenient 18 lb pail, and a hefty 33 lb resealable bag. You can order directly from The Organic Farm Store website or find a retailer near you, which is usually a more economical way to get your hands on the larger sizes.
[Note: If you live in the Phoenix area, I just found a great independent pet supply store, Sunflower Pet Supply over in Tempe, and they carry all three sizes of Close to Naturenow litter.]
Posted by moderncat
With clean contemporary lines and some very well thought-out features, this cat litter box hider from The Refined Feline is an excellent option for a modern home. The Refined Cat Litter Box has hinged front doors and a slide out tray for easy litter cleaning and removal plus a top storage drawer for storing litter supplies. The side panel with the opening for kitty can be placed on either side.
The Refined Litter Box fits standard litter boxes and The Refined Litter Box Electric is a larger version that accommodates an electric litter box. Both are available in a variety of finishes.
Posted by moderncat
Thank you to everyone for making Litter Week such a huge success! Thanks for all the great comments and emails — it’s so nice to see that we all share many of the same concerns around this topic.
We sure did cover a lot of ground this week! From which litter to use, to where to put the litter, to how to control the odor, to what to do with the waste — I hope everyone learned a little something that can help make their lives, and the lives of their cats, just a little bit better.
And now for the giveaway winners!
The winner of the Kick Litter book will be announced next week.
Didn’t win, but still want to try these awesome products? Here are some great deals just for Moderncat readers:
So thanks again and please leave a comment or send an email to let us know what other topics you would like to see featured in a theme-week.
Posted by moderncat
This is a follow-up to my first natural cat litter comparison in which I tested Arm & Hammer High Performance, Swheat Scoop (regular strength), World’s Best Cat Litter (multi-cat strength), and Nature’s Miracle. If you haven’t read it yet, please also see the original post What’s In Your Litter Box to learn more about the dangers of clay and silica based cat litters and why natural litters are the way to go.
. . .
As the grand finale to Litter Week, I had to post about my recent findings in the world of natural cat litter. Since the last comparison, I found three more natural litters to test, all available at PetSmart. This time I tried PaPurr Scoop, Swheat Scoop multi-cat strength, and Feline Pine Clumping. Here are my observations:
PaPurr Scoop
I really like this litter but it is hard to find. I purchased it at one Petsmart in my area, but I have never seen it at any other stores. I also can’t find the manufacturer online, so if you have any information, please leave a comment. PaPurr Scoop really does look and feel like clay litter but it is made from recycled paper. The texture is like soft little beads and it is a bit dusty, but not nearly as bad as clay litter. It has a soft scent that smells like lightly scented paper, and it did a pretty good job at odor control. Good clumping, especially if liquids are left alone for awhile before scooping. This one is safe for flushing in small amounts because it is biodegradable.
Swheat Scoop Multi-cat Strength
Swheat scoop multi-cat strength seems to be slightly better than the regular strength. Better clumping but still a lot of dust, so I’m avoiding it because of my gluten intolerance. If you like Swheat Scoop, I’d go with the multi-cat strength.
Feline Pine Clumping
Feline Pine clumping litter is from the same company that makes the Feline Pine pellets. A lot of cats don’t like the pellets, including mine, so I was excited to try this one. This is one of my favorites because it has a pleasant scent of sawdust and it clumps reasonably well. It is very light and easy to carry, which is great, but that also means that it tracks easily. However, it doesn’t hurt when you step on it, like the pellets do. The cats seem to like the texture, but it’s not outstanding on odor control and I find that the clumps sometimes get stuck to the bottom of the box and you really have to scrape to get them off. I have to do a complete hose-down of the litter box more frequently when using this litter.
A word about the pine pellets
There are a few different brands, including the original Feline Pine pellets. These pellets break down when they come in contact with liquid and turn to sawdust. You are supposed to shake the box to let the sawdust settle to the bottom and scoop the solids. I thought it became a big mess and most of my cats hated the pellets, but lots of people and cats love them. If you do, you may want to know about the special litter box that was created for use with the pellets, the Feline Pine Self-cleaning Litter Box. It has a perforated upper compartment that lets the sawdust fall into the lower portion of the box, making things a little neater. This also extends the life of the pellets because they are not being thrown away with the sawdust, plus it reduces tracking because the sawdust is contained in the lower part of the box.
Arm & Hammer High Performance Has a New Name
Just a note, the Arm & Hammer High Performance natural clumping litter reviewed in our first natural litter comparison has changed it’s name and packaging. It is now part of the Arm & Hammer Essentials line, but as far as I can tell, it is the same corn-based litter but with a new, incredibly obnoxious scent. The old A&H High Performance had a strong perfume-y smell and the new Essentials litter has a different and even stronger perfume-y smell. At first I liked it because it’s kind of fresh smelling, but after living with it in the box, I just couldn’t stand it. Otherwise it performs about the same — light and fluffy texture, low dust, okay clumping.
Warning! Fresh Results Natural Litter is Not the Same Quality!
I found a natural corn-based litter called Fresh Results at Walmart for a really good price. It looked and smelled exactly like the Arm & Hammer natural litter, so I assumed they were the same. They are not! I really noticed a difference in the quality of the Fresh Results - very bad clumping and almost no odor control. It’s certainly better than the clay choices available at Walmart, but please know that this is not the best natural litter out there. It’s very disappointing because that was a great move for Walmart to put in a natural litter, but now people might switch back to clay after having a bad experience with natural litter.
New natural litters to try
I found some new natural litters at the pet expo, although they are not easy to find yet. Here are a couple that I have yet to test:
Green Tea Leaves Clumping Cat Litter
Green Tea Leaves clumping litter is wood-based plus it is made with green tea leaves that contain catechin, a natural tannin that helps fight odors and is anti-bacterial.
Close to Naturenow Organic Soybean Cat Litter
This one sounds great! It’s from The Organic Farm Store. The litter is 100% organic and all natural. It is made from soybean meal for superior clumping and granulated potato starch to enhance odor control. It is biodegradable and flushable and supposedly low tracking. I can’t wait to try this one!
What are you using?
Please leave your comments about these natural litters or any others that you have tried. If more of us show interest in natural cat litter, it should trigger the litter manufacturers to make improvements and continue developing new alternative natural litters that are healthy for cats, people, and the environment.
. . .
Please read the following posts to learn more about flushing cat litter:
Vote for us!
Past Theme Weeks:
Site stats