Grass Cat Litter - Cat Info Detective

Grass Cat Litter

Skye Blake-updated, white background

Greetings litter connoisseurs! Did you know there’s now cat litter made from grass? What will they think of next?!

Grass… what could be more environmentally perfect?

paw prints coming in from a distance

It’s green, natural, healthy, fun for us fabulous felines to roll and hunt in.

But how does it work as cat litter?

The information here is for general knowledge… always see your vet with questions about your cat’s individual needs. 

Who Is Skye Blake?

Skye Blake-updated, white background

Skye Blake, Cat Info Detective, is a curious cat researcher (not a veterinarian) who sniffs out expert, reliable sources about cats, studies their information, then passes it on to you! 

Sometimes there’s not enough evidence for easy answers, so Skye gives you all sides, explains the situation as thoroughly and clearly as possible, and links you to experts on each page.

Sources are at the bottom of each page so you can do more snooping.

What Is Grass?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “grass” is…

grass, any of many low, green, nonwoody plants belonging to the grass family (Poaceae), the sedge family (Cyperaceae), and the rush family (Juncaceae).”1 Grass | Definition, Families, & Facts | Britannica

There are many other plants that look like grass but aren’t true grasses.

Grass Cat Litter – the Positives

clump of green grass cat litter in scoop

Grass cat litter is made from leaves and seeds of various grasses into pellets that absorb urine just like other litters.

These pellets are lightweight, soft on paws, low-dust, clump well, and control odors.

They’re also easy to scoop and people like that they’re biodegradable.

In fact, some grass cat litters are organic and non-GMO, a plus for environmentally concerned people.

Grass Cat Litter – the Drawbacks

grass - cat litter

While grass cat litter is appealing to people, especially for its environmental benefits, there are some drawbacks you must consider…

Expense

dollars bills with gold $

Grass litter, like other specialty litters, is more expensive than clay.

You’ll need to look at how long the litter lasts as well as the cost per bag.

If you get 60 days of use out of one bag, the cost is more reasonable than 15 or 30 days and might be worth it for you.

Allergies

woman sneezing - allergies - litter

If you, a member of your household or your cat are allergic to grass, you won’t be able to use this litter… think “permanent hay fever”.

It’s Edible

cat chewing grass

Some of my fellow felines love to chew on grass.

In fact, many people grow wheat grass in the house for their kitties to eat.

While you might think that makes it safe for cats to use as litter, it actually can be a problem.

kitten in litter box; grass cat litter

We cats are instinctively hardwired to keep food and pee areas completely separate, so providing grass as both food and litter creates a conflict.

At the very least, you’ll confuse your kitty, and he might eat the litter, ending up in emergency surgery with blocked intestines!

This is especially true of kittens, who love to eat everything (non-clumping litter is best for young kittens).

clump of green litter in scoop

If he doesn’t eat it, he might still see it as food and find somewhere else in your home to do his business… oops!

If you think your cat might be confused, use litter that’s not appealing as food.

Grass Litter Brands & Reviews

silver tabby cat lying upside down on green grass - tongue blep

Below are listed some grass-based litters by brand, along with a summary of reviews.

Any brands and products mentioned on this page are for your information and convenience only…I make no money from them.

You can find them at pet stores and online at Amazon, Chewy, and other suppliers.

BoxieCat® Air™

Outdoor tabby cat on alert

BoxieCat® Air™ is a clumping cat litter from a proprietary blend of barley, which is a type of grass.

It’s a renewable resource made in the USA, lightweight, controls odors, and is easy to scoop.

cat jumping down onto grass-front view

Reviewers either love or hate this litter.

Those who love it comment on its odor control benefits.

Those who hate it say the clumps are rock-hard and stick to the box, making it difficult to clean.

Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Touch of Outdoors

closeup of grass blades

Dr. Elsey’s Touch of Outdoors is made in the USA from a combination of clay and prairie grass.

It’s especially good for cats who have lived outdoors and are adjusting to indoor life, since it uses natural chlorophyll for odor control.

Reviewers liked that it has no dust, no perfume, little tracking, traps odors well and is good for sensitive paws.

Some people had trouble with it becoming a hard mess in the box, making it difficult to remove.

Frisco Natural

cat chewing on grass; cat litter

Frisco litter is made from natural grass ingredients and comes in scented and unscented multi-cat formulas.

It’s lightweight, low dust, quick clumping and doesn’t stick to sides or bottom of the box.

Frisco comes in a resealable bag, has excellent odor control and absorbency, and is good for multi-cat households.

gray, white kitten sleeping on a cat tree

Reviewers say it’s good for cats with allergies and lasts a long time if topped off in between changes.

It’s expensive, isn’t flushable, and tracks (litter mat helps).

Here’s a comparison of Frisco Grass litter and sWheat Scoop wheat litter…

“Comparing Wheat & Grass Cat Litter”, Mobile Paw Spa, August 7, 2019

Only Natural Grass Seed Cat Litter 

cat licking grass

Only Natural Grass Seed Cat Litter has grass seeds grown on farms in the U.S.A. and is a renewable resource.

A holistic veterinarian formulated it to human-quality standards. This litter is Non-GMO Project Verified.

Only Natural clumps quickly, which helps prevent odors and makes it easy to scoop – for single or multi-cat households.

black cat sitting in grass

It has no synthetic fragrances or chemicals. The description claims it’s 99% dust free with no tracking.

You can find it at the “Only Natural Pet” website. (This is only for your convenience… I make no money from it.

Pioneer Pet SmartCat

grass cat litter

Pioneer Pet Smartcat – 100% fine grained, soft grass seed pellets.

It’s lightweight, turns into hard clumps quickly, and doesn’t break down when scooping.

It controls odor and has no dust, chemicals, or fragrances. Since you only scoop the clumps, it lasts a long time.

Sleeping Burmese cat lying on side

Pioneer Pet Smartcat is non-GMO project verified and farmed in the USA.

Reviewers say some cats will eat it since it’s grass.

Some had trouble with it tracking due to fine particles sticking to paws, especially on long haired cats.

Smartcat isn’t flushable and is expensive (but lasts awhile). Some people don’t like the grass smell.

Here’s a video review…

“Pioneer Pet Smartcat Grass Cat Litter Review (We Tried It)”, All About Cats Clips, November 20, 2021

So Phresh Clumping Scented Grass Seed Cat Litter

grass blades, seeds, cat litter

This is Petco’s brand “So Phresh” litter containing grass seed sourced in the U.S.A.

This litter is for multiple cats, dust-free, lightly scented, creates strong clumps that control odors, and is half the weight of clay.

The majority of reviewers really like this litter.

ginger, white cat leaving litter box next to curious kitten

Curious about other types of cat litter and boxes? Discover more at “Supplies for Cats“.

Having trouble with your cat peeing or pooping outside the litter box?

Find some answers to fix the problem and clean up the mess at “Behavior“.


Sources

Sources used on this website are either primary or secondary.

Primary sources are always preferable and have the most reliable information because they’re original and directly referenced.

Scientific abstracts and data are good examples of primary sources.

Secondary sources are weaker because they usually consist of opinions or articles that give no sources of their own.

However, sometimes they refer to primary sources.

When I use secondary sources, most are those with some authority, such as veterinarian or cat behaviorist books and articles.

List of Sources

“The Benefits of Natural Litter”, by Jackson Galaxy

“Cat Litter”, How Products Are Made

“The Cat Litter of My Dreams”, Anne Jablonski, Dec. 11, 2014

“Eco-Friendly Compostable Kitty Litter”, greenlivingideas.com

“How Cat Litter is Made”, greenlivingideas.com

“Poaceae”, Wikipedia

“Pros and Cons of Grass Cat Litter – Plus Top Brands”, Eco Cat Litter

What Is In Cat Litter? Understanding Clay, Silica and Biodegradable Cat Litters“, by Lorie Huston, DVM, petmd.com

Updated November 13, 2023

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