Homemade cat litter can be an intimidating DIY project. After all, cat litter performs a critical function in a pet owner’s life.!
One of our readers reached out to us and asked if we knew of any quality homemade cat litter solutions. As all pet owners know, cat litter is expensive and adds up quickly… so of course, we delved into the homemade cat litter recipes we found online to see what we could find.
Cat litter, what is that by the way?
Cat litter is basically an indoor feces and urine collector for indoor cats. In order to be effective, cat litter must be absorbent. Cats naturally want to bury their excrement, so it’s important to use something that they can sweep around with their paws
What is Homemade Cat Litter Made of?
- Wheat (Grinded)
- Wood chips or pine animal bedding
- Sand
- Chicken feed
- Newspapers
1. Make homemade cat litter from wheat (Grinded)
You can use a grain grinder on a coarse setting, or simply blend up some wheat berries until it's the consistency you want. I have found that the finer I grind the wheat, the better it clumps, but you don't want it to be as fine as flour because that would be a bit dusty to have around. I try for a coarse meal, but the exact grind doesn't matter too much
Also, even though we are not eating it, we still choose to buy organic wheat because it's important to support sustainable farming practices whenever we can, and this is a very affordable way to do that. We buy organic animal-grade wheat. Any wheat berries will do, they are also available in bulk at your local natural food store. I love that when his litter pan is low, I can simply grind some wheat up and toss it in.
It's very simple to grind, the cat is just fine with it, and it can be composted or tossed in the yard waste pickup. Flushing even natural cat litter is discouraged because it contributes to toxoplasmosis in aquatic mammals. If you are pregnant, don't handle it or garden with compost made from cat litter. It can also safely be buried several inches below the ground. Your plants will love it. Our cat spends most of his time outdoors, so I only need to remove waste from the litter pan once or twice a week. If you have an indoor cat you would probably need to do it daily
2. Make homemade cat litter from wood chips or pine animal bedding
Wood Pellets are a byproduct of the timber industry, they are commonly used as fuel for stoves or as livestock bedding. Many people these days are using them as inexpensive environmentally-friendly cat litter
If you have inside cats and want an easy way to clean up, slide your litterbox into a large black plastic trash bag, then pour the pellets in the box...Use a covered litterbox, and let the cats have at it. Every few days, just remove the litter box from the bag, turn the bag inside out and this traps the litter in the bag. You can then discard the litter. Don't flush it! Either throw it in the trash or compost it.
Keep in mind that the wood pellets will expand as they absorb feline urine, so make sure you do not overfill the litter box. You can also sprinkle a little baking soda on the pellets to reduce odors. Many animal shelters are using wood pellets for cat litter; perhaps you should consider them as well
3. Make homemade cat litter from sand
If you’ve known anyone with a sandbox for their children, you’ve likely heard them lament that their cat loves to use it as their litter box. Sand is easily obtained, purchased in bulk, and most times easily stored since it can be kept covered outside
4. Make homemade cat litter from chicken feed
Chicken feed is very affordable and can make an effective cat litter. Unfortunately, it also poses additional hazards. Some users report that it can create pest problems by attracting mice and other unwanted visitors. If you choose to use chicken feed for cat litter, be careful and clean your litter box often!
Mix chicken feed with baking soda for odor control. When using chicken feed as a cat litter replacement, ensure the feed has a crumbly texture and is free from chemicals and additives
Here is baking soda and I recommended
5. Make homemade cat litter from chicken feed (The Easiest)
In order to do this, you will need to collect newspapers, advertisements, and other papers. Newspapers are generally cheap and easy to get, especially if you’re just using them for litter. You can use the material that comes to your home but you can also ask your neighbors, friends, and coworkers to save them for you. After all, the news and coupons are time-sensitive… but old papers still make good homemade cat litter
This cat litter is made using shredded paper, dish soap, and baking soda. You can make this kitty litter substitute in roughly 30-45 minutes. Here’s how you can make it:
- Shred a generous amount of newspaper into small strips and fill the cat litter tray.
- Soak the shredded newspaper in warm water with dish soap until the water becomes gray and it is an oatmeal consistency.
- Drain the water. Add clean water to soak the paper again (do not add soap). Drain again.
- You might want gloves for this step! Sprinkle baking soda liberally and knead the wet paper, squeezing out the moisture.
- Spread the paper out over a screen to dry. It should be crumbly texture.
- When completely dry it’s ready for use.
Or just simple, watch this Homemade cat litter newspaper video, totally useful
Small tips:
"If you do not soak the newspaper or junk mail long enough you may notice ink on your cat’s paws. Others don’t like the mess involved in preparation. Luckily, ready-made options are available for purchase, such as Purina News Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter"
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