Hey everyone! I recently bought a 40 lb bag of pine pellets to use as litter for my cat. Unfortunately, ever since I started using it, I’ve been sneezing a lot and getting headaches. I’m thinking it’s the litter that’s causing it.
Since I still have a lot left, I’m planning to use it up, but I’d love any suggestions for a better litter to try next. I’ve used regular clay litter before, but it doesn’t really help with the smell. If you have any tips to ease the symptoms I’m dealing with while I finish the pine pellets, I’d really appreciate it!
If you’re into the bigger pellet litters, I’d suggest trying hardwood wood stove pellets. They’re a great budget option (I’ve used them for years), and you can usually find them at hardware stores. They cost about six to seven dollars for a 40 lb bag.
The only difference between pine and hardwood pellets is the type of wood. I’ve never liked the smell of pine pellets, but the hardwood ones never bothered me at all.
Another one I like is the World’s Best clumping litter, made from corn cob.
I’ve had good luck with corncob or grass seed litters. They don’t have a strong smell and they do a decent job at controlling urine odors, but they don’t seem to do much for poop smell.
For allergies, I wouldn’t risk it. If you’re determined to use up the pine pellets, I’d recommend adding a thin layer of a litter you’re not allergic to on top of the pine. That might help keep the dust from getting into the air and might make it last longer without causing more problems.
I use walnut shell litter. It clumps really well, and it’s not as dusty as clay litter. It tracks a little bit, but my cat is good about wiping her feet.
I’ve been using Breeze for a few years, and I think it’s great. It’s different from other litters, and my cat is okay with it. Plus, there’s no dust at all.
If there’s a Walmart near you, they sell big bags of paper pellet litter under the Special Kitty brand. I used to use wood pellets, but this paper pellet option is lighter and more affordable, especially before I switched to an automatic litter box.
Kari said:
I’d suggest switching to a different litter. Pine can be toxic to cats.
Pine is toxic to many animals because it contains compounds called terpenes. These can irritate the mucous membranes and cause breathing problems.
When pine is sold as bedding or litter for animals, it’s usually heat-treated to remove those toxic compounds, making it safe. I’ve used heat-treated pine pellets for my cats with no issues.
So, if you find a brand that heat-treats the pine, it should be fine. My cats were raised on pine and wouldn’t use anything else. It’s also cheaper than most other cat litters.