I’m baaack… Skye Blake here, with news about yet another nutty idea… walnut cat litter!
You’ve probably seen tall black walnut trees and beautiful walnut wood furniture made from said trees.
You’ve eaten delicious walnuts… banana nut bread anyone?
But walnuts as cat litter?!!
Yes, really… made from leftover shells.
The information here is for general knowledge… always see your vet with questions about your cat’s individual needs.
- Who Is Skye Blake?
- What Are Walnuts?
- Things to Know About Walnut Cat Litter
- Walnut Litter Brands & Reviews
- More Litter Options
- Related Pages of Interest
- Sources
- List of Sources
Who Is Skye Blake?
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 given at the bottom of each page so you can do more snooping.
What Are Walnuts?
Walnuts are “the edible seed of any tree of the genus Juglans (family Juglandaceae), particularly the Persian or English walnut, Juglans regia.
Although culinarily considered a “nut” and used as such, it is not a true botanical nut.”1Walnut – Wikipedia
Things to Know About Walnut Cat Litter
Walnut cat litter has some good qualities, such as controlling odor and clumping well. Some brands do better than others with being low-dust and limiting tracking.
However, there are a few possible drawbacks you should know in case they affect your situation.
It’s Edible
Since walnut litter is food-based, some cats may want to eat it, either directly from the box or when licked off paws and fur.
You may think edible litter is safer for your cat, but that’s not necessarily the case.
It can cause digestive blockages and even dehydration from the absorptive action of the litter.
Both blockages and dehydration are life-threatening conditions!
If your cat eats any food-based litter, emergency surgery is a very real possibility.
Your cat may only swallow a little and not be hurt, but it’s best to know your cat’s inclinations.
Is she likely to eat this? If so, stay away from grain, nut or other food-based litters.
This is especially true with young kittens, who like to eat everything!
Concerns About Spoilage
Food-based litters can get moldy and ferment if not changed regularly, especially in hotter weather.
They can also attract bugs and rodents if not properly stored.
This can happen at any point in the manufacturing, storing, and transporting process, as well as in your home, so be sure to store any litter and food properly.
Nut Allergies
Another thing to consider is if you have any nut allergies, you may react to walnut litter.
Even though it’s made only from walnut shells, not the actual nuts, there can be trace amounts of allergy-aggravating proteins in this litter.
Walnut Litter as Mulch
You can use soiled walnut (or any biodegradable) cat litter as mulch on your flower beds, but not directly on vegetable, herb or other edible plant beds.
Cat waste can transmit diseases, but if you process the litter properly into compost, removing possible pathogens, it can be used safely.
If you’re not sure, just put it on flower beds.
Walnut Litter Brands & Reviews
Below are some walnut litter brands with a few summaries of reviews. This list is by no means exhaustive.
I make a small commission on some of the links below… and I get to share profits with qualified cat rescues!
Check descriptions and reviews carefully for any products you wish to buy… quality, sizes, colors, etc., can’t be guaranteed by anyone but the manufacturer.
Littermaid Walnut Cat Litter
Littermaid litter controls odors well and is fragrance free. It clumps well for easy scooping.
The company suggests keeping a 3-4″ base of litter at all times.
You’re supposed to be able to use this litter in any litter box.
The majority of reviewers love this litter but those who were negative hated it because of dust and tracking primarily.
Overall, people were happy with this litter. It was lightweight, controlled odor and clumped well. Tracking was a minimum for most people.
Naturally Fresh™ Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
The Naturally Fresh™ line of litter was originally owned by Blue Buffalo, which was bought out in 2018 by General Mills Corp.
Blue Buffalo’s lines of dog and cat food are now owned by General Mills, and their Naturally Fresh™ litter is owned by Ecoshell.
All varieties of Naturally Fresh™ are made from 100% natural walnut shells. They have excellent odor control using a “malodor counteractant” and are highly absorbent.
Their dust-free formula reduces tracking. They have no added chemicals, toxins, clay, corn or grains.
These litters have an earthy odor from the walnuts that quickly fades.
A few people didn’t like it and others were fine with it.
There is an interesting YouTube video review of Naturally Fresh™ litter.
Naturally Fresh™ Single Cat Unscented Quick Clumping (green bag)
This litter makes tight clumps in about 15 minutes and doesn’t stick to the box.
Super-absorbent formula absorbs 3 times better than clay and is made for 1-2 cat households.
It has excellent odor control, no toxins, silica dust, and is biodegradable.
The manufacturer recommends filling your box to 3″. When clumps are removed, top up as needed.
Clean all litter boxes every 30 days. This litter should last at least 30 days between changes for one cat.
Reviewers differed about dustiness but generally agreed it doesn’t clump as well as the multi-cat version.
It’s too soft and breaks apart while scooping.
Some felt it was worth working with the soft clumps because the odor control was so good.
There was also disagreement about tracking… some said it didn’t track much and others said it tracked like clay.
Not good for long-haired cats.
Most agreed it’s more affordable and economical than other alternative litters.
Naturally Fresh™ Multi-Cat (red bag)
This version has 3 times better absorption than clay litter, good odor control and little dust.
Some reviewers who had used the old formula didn’t like the new one as well… too much dust and tracks a lot.
There was disagreement about the amount of dust.
Some said there wasn’t any, while others said it left a brown film on appliances and furniture in the room.
Many reviewers liked this litter better than other biodegradable litters. They felt it absorbs and clumps well, with good odor control.
One bag lasts a long time so it’s cost effective.
Naturally Fresh™ Multi-Cat Ultra Odor Control (yellow bag)
This litter features triple-action odor defense enzymes and long-lasting absorbency for superior odor control.
Reviewers for the multi-cat odor control version said the granules are bigger than other litters. Almost all said they love this litter.
The clumping is very good… clumps start out soft and harden over time. They don’t stick to the box.
Most said there’s very little dust… one person added baking soda to keep dust down and help with odors.
Others said it left brown dust everywhere.
Some people said odor control was excellent… others that it wasn’t as good as multi-cat unscented.
Most liked that there was no fragrance. Others said there was a light earthy smell to the litter.
Generally, reviewers felt the litter lasts a long time and is worth the price.
Some people liked it but their cats didn’t.
It was also mentioned that this litter doesn’t work with Litter Robot 3.
Naturally Fresh™ Multi-Cat Alpine Meadow (blue bag)
This version produces tight clumps that don’t stick to the litter box. It has a natural, fresh scent, controls odors well, and is biodegradable.
This litter doesn’t stick to paws so it doesn’t track much. Works well for multi-cat situations.
Overall the reviews were positive and most people loved this litter.
Clumps well, controls odor when scooped each day, and tracking wasn’t bad.
Reviewers disagreed about the amount of dust.
Naturally Fresh™ Herbal Attraction® Unscented (orange bag)
“For Kittens, Seniors & Fussy Cats”
This litter contains a blend of naturally scented herbs that lure your kitty back to the box.
The majority of reviewers have positive things to say about this litter. They liked that it’s lightweight and biodegradable.
As with most litters, there’s disagreement about the amount of dust and tracking.
There was disagreement about odor control but some of those who didn’t like it weren’t scooping daily.
Some people with cats peeing outside the box found this litter to be very helpful at getting their cat to use it again regularly.
Naturally Fresh™ Pellet Non-Clumping Walnut Cat Litter (purple bag)
Naturally Fresh™ is made with walnut shells grown in the USA.
It’s unscented with no clay, corn or grains and is a renewable resource.
It has 7 times more odor control, is low dust/tracking and has more absorption capacity than other pellet litters.
Reviews were mixed but most people liked the good odor control, lack of fragrance, and little tracking.
Some who had used the old version didn’t like the smaller pellets in the new one.
Smaller pellets break down faster, so the box has to be cleaned more frequently.
In some cases, the cats didn’t like this litter.
Here is a helpful YouTube video… “Comparing Wheat & Grass Cat Litter” (at 2:50 she also discusses mixing walnut litter with wheat or grass), Mobile Paw Spa, August 7, 2019
More Litter Options
If you need more info about what’s “best” for your cat, discover more at “What Are the Best Types of Cat Litter?” and “What’s the Best Cat Litter Box?“
Or follow these trails if you’re curious about other litters…
Related Pages of Interest
If you’re dealing with inappropriate peeing or pooping outside the litter box, take a look at “Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box?” and “Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Box?“
Of course, if you have a cat peeing outside the box, you’re probably frustrated about cleaning it up.
Discover what you need to know at “Cleaning Cat Urine” and “Enzyme Cleaners for Cat Urine“.
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
“5 Best Types of Natural Cat Litter”, by Amy Livingston
“The Benefits of Natural Litter”, by Jackson Galaxy
“Best Cat Litter for Kittens”, by Mallory Crusta
“General Mills Completes Acquisition of Blue Buffalo Pet Products”, April 24, 2018
“Walnut”, Wikipedia
Product Information and User Review Sources
Amazon, Chewy, Littermaid, Petco, Walmart
Updated March 12, 2023