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Cat-lovers, by definition, love their cats. But not so much the litter duty that comes along with our furry little friends. Clumping cat litters are the most popular form of litter, holding great appeal because they are so convenient. Traditional clay based kitty litters are convenient because they are “scoopable,” due to the addition of sodium bentonite and the naturally swelling clay. When wet that clay expands to 15% of its original, or dry, size. But what many pet-owners do not realize is that traditional kitty litters are a burden on our already overflowing landfills. Across the United States, over 2 million tons of non-biodegradable cat litter ends up in municipal landfills each year. The traditional clay variety litter also contains quartz silica (sand), a known carcinogen when inhaled by both humans and pets. The clay litter mostly comes from strip-mining, which rounds out the unfortunate combination of landfill waste, health risk, and natural landscape depletion.
Make the switch to a green solution:
Switching to cat litter derived from plant-based materials is easier than one might think. As the demand for healthier options for humans and pets alike has increased, so too has the number of products on the market. Commercially-available products using corn, pine shavings, cedar, and recycled newspaper are excellent and healthy green alternatives. Using non-toxic litter is the best alternative to traditional litters because it doesn’t create dust, and it is made from a renewable resource which is 100% compostable. It is quite possible to save your lungs and the landfill.
Some of the natural litters favored by eco-enthusiast and cats alike include:
- Swheat Scoop (made from natural wheat)
Feline Pine (pellets made of leftover sawdust pellets)
Yesterday’s News (made from pellets made of recycled newspaper)
Arm and Hammer Essentials (made from biodegradable corn fibers)
In choosing an eco-litter, it is also important to think about the Litter Box, because certain types of material have certain advantages. As an example, Feline Pine makes a self cleaning litter box. The “revolutionary” litter box uses an elevated insert with holes specifically sized to remove the used sawdust into the holding box below.
5 Points beyond the Litter:
To wrap your cat in the glow of green living, check out the offerings that are now increasingly available online.
- Cat Kit All the tools you need to make your own chemical-free cat products. Your cats will thank you! Price: $28.00
Catnip Pillow Set (organic catnip) Talk about the cat's meow! Your cats will love our organic catnip pillow set. Price: $9.50
Element Cat Treats Choose Eco-Me chemical-free cat products. Your cats will thank you! Price: $6.50
Element Cat Litter Freshener Discover natural cat products that are healthy for your pet! Price: $6.50
Element Cat Grass Kit - Organic All the tools you need to make your own chemical-free cat treat. Your cats will thank you! Price: $10.00
If you are new to the area or shopping for a new Pet Shop here are some good ones:
Philadelphia
Monster Pets:
1946 South Columbus Blvd 215-336-9000
www.monsterpetsonline.com
Chic Petique:
6165 Third Street 215-629-1733
1040 West Second Street 215-238-0981
www.thechicpetique.com
Bonejour:
14 North Third Street 215 574-1225
www.bonejourpetsupplies.com
Doggie Style:
2056 Locust Street,
1635 Spruce Street 215-545-5900,
114 South 13th Street 215-5454100,
315 Market Street 215-923-4333
www.doggiestyle2.com
Trader Joe:
2121 Market Street
www.traderjoes.com
Whole Foods Market
2001 Pennsylvania Avenue,
929 South Street
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Rittenhouse Square Pet Supplies
134 South 20th Street 215-569-2555
Oh So Pretty Center City Dog Grooming
614 South 3rd Street 267-767-7523
www.ohsopretty.net
In the Doghouse
706 North 24 Street 267-514-1949
www.inthedoghouseinc.com
Around town:
Chestnut Hill -
Oh So Pretty
Mt Airy 7150 Germantown Ave 215-242 2929
Narbeth -
Buzzy Bow Wow Meow
701 Montgomery Avenue 610-617-3300
www.buzzybowwowmeow.com
Malvern -
Henleys A Bountique for Dogs and Cats
113 East King Street
610-296-0100
New Hope -
Bow Wow and Meow's
801 North 24 Street 215-763-3213
www.bowwowandmeowspa.com
Wayne -
Braxton Animal Work
620 West Lancaster Avenue 610 -688-0769
www.braxtons.com
Whole Foods Market
821 West Lancaster Avenue
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Ardmore -
Trader Joes
112 Coulter 610-658-0645
www.traderjoes.com
Jenkintown -
Whole Foods Market 1575
The Fairway 215-481-0800
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Trader Joe
979 Old York
www.traderjoes.com
Paoli -
Cutter's Mills
43 Paoli Plaza 610-647-1811
www.cutersmillpetstore.com
New 'Green' House for your ‘Green’ Cat:
Take a look at all of the GREENandSAVE ways to make your home more eco friendly for you and your pets. Go for Green Home Improvement.
