Every year, cat owners throw away hundreds of pounds of used cat litter. Even though traditional clay litter is technically made from natural materials, it isn’t flushable or completely eco-friendly. All-natural cat litter is a different story.
Made from a variety of different materials, natural cat litter is an environmentally friendly option that, in some cases, offers many of the same benefits as traditional clay litter. Feline Pine is one of the top brands of all-natural cat litter, offering two formulas made from reclaimed lumber.
No new trees are cut to make Feline Pine’s products, and the litter is completely sustainable. If you’re looking to experience natural cat litter for yourself, give it a try!
Ratings
- Variety of Products – 1/5
- Price Per Pound – 4/5
- Multi-Cat Formulas – 2/5
- Clumping Ability – 3/5
- Long-Lasting Odor Control – 3/5
- Natural/Alternative Options – 5/5
Overall Score: 3/5
How We Tested:
- We purchased 3 of the best cat litters Feline Pine Cat Litter has to offer
- We spent a few weeks testing the cat litters on several cats
- We did not receive these product in exchange for a favorable review, they were purchased with our own money
Brand Overview
The Feline Pine brand was launched in 1992 as a healthy solution for both cats and their owners. The brand was inspired by the lumber industry and, after testing several substrates, the Southern Yellow Pine was chosen.
This material was found to be quick at absorbing moisture and strong in neutralizing odors. One carload at a time, the Feline Pine brand grew to what it is today – a nationally-recognized brand of all-natural cat litter.
When it comes to being eco-friendly, Feline Pine doesn’t just think about their products.
The company itself follows a philosophy they call the “Pine Promise,” which includes the following tenets:
- Respect all living things, especially animals and pets, because they rely on us.
- Embrace a corporate duty to respect the environment and our precious natural resources.
- Focus on product quality and customer satisfaction.
With their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Feline Pine has limited their manufacture to two products – one clumping and one non-clumping cat litter. Both are made from 100% natural pine materials, though the clumping formula has added clumping agents and mineral oil for dust control.
Products Included in This Review | ||||
Name | Materials | Clumping? | Life Stage | Additional Features |
Feline Pine Scoop Clumping Cat Litter | Pine | Yes | All | Clumping, Unscented, Odor Control, Clay-Free |
Feline Pine Original Cat Litter | Pine | No | All | Non-Clumping, Unscented, Odor Control, Clay-Free |
What Kinds Of Litter Does The Brand Offer?
Feline Pine currently offers two cat litter formulas, both made from all-natural pine materials. The Original formula is a non-clumping formula consisting of large granules while the second formula is a clumping formula consisting of fine sawdust-like flakes.
Both Feline Pine cat litter formulas offer the following benefits:
- Neutralizing odors on contact
- Made from reclaimed pine lumber
- Low in dust and lightweight
- No harsh chemicals or synthetic perfumes
- Highly absorbent, binding to ammonia odors
Given these product claims, you might be led to believe that Feline Pine performs in a similar way to traditional clay litter. As you’ll see in reading this review, however, Feline Pine, unfortunately, falls short of meeting some of these promises in full.
The two formulas we’re reviewing here are the only two formulas Feline Pine has to offer.
Top 2 Cat Litters Reviewed
Product Name | Type | Price | Overall Rating |
Feline Pine Scoop Clumping Cat Litter | Non-Clumping | $1 per lb | 3/5 |
Feline Pine Original Cat Litter | Clumping | $0.53 per lb | 2.75/5 |
What Do Customers Think of Feline Pine Cat Litter?
The Original Feline Pine cat litter formula has almost a 90% rate of recommendation from users with a 71% 5-star rating on Chewy. The clumping formula, on the other hand, has only a 70% recommendation rating and 44% of the reviews are 5 stars. There are both good and bad reviews for the brand online, and for each product, so it is up to you to make your own decision. Keep reading to see a positive and negative customer review for each of the three cat litter formulas featured above:
Positive Customer Reviews for Feline Pine Cat Litter
“I would highly recommend this kitty litter to anyone. It clumps well, so clean up is easy, and the fresh pine smell cannot be beat. I really like that it is 100% natural. We tried another kitty litter, and our poor cat got an infection because she refused to use the litter box. So we will not be using any other kind, but Feline Pine. We really like ordering it through Chewy.com. Easy and convenient.”– Catt, Feline Pine Scoop Clumping Cat Litter
“I’ve been using Feline Pine for over 10yrs. It is the only litter I will ever purchase for my cat, and in fact, if you have multiple cats, this is absolutely, positively the litter should be purchasing. Unlike clay litter or the horrible scoopable litter – this litter is biodegradable, with the bonus that pine naturally absorbs urine odor. One cup of litter lasts for over 9 days! When done, simply take it outside and use it as mulch for your plants…DO NOT PUT ON VEGGIES OR EDIBLES, but the rest of your plants will thank you!”– TaraB, reviewing Feline Pine Original Cat Litter
Negative Customer Reviews for Feline Pine Cat Litter
“I’ve been using the non-clumping version of this litter for over a decade and decided to try the clumping version because I want to get an automatic litter box soon and the original feline pine is not compatible with them. Anyway, this litter was a disappointment and does not seem to clump at all. Since it is impossible to scoop the peed-on litter out since it isn’t clumped and just mixes in with the dry litter when you try to remove it, I just threw out the whole box full of litter because it was just half used and smelled strongly of pee. I was disappointed I could not buy a bigger value bag like you can with the original version but am so glad now since the rest of the bag is going to waste. Completely useless.”– Rachel, Feline Pine Scoop Clumping Cat Litter
“I’ve been looking for a healthier alternative to litter since my cat’s been sneezing more and not always wanting to stand in the litter box and going next to it a little. Put this litter in his box then put my cat on there twice, and he jumped out each time looking at me with the look to say… what the …. Then he jumped into his other litter box, and I have yet to see him use it. Second day of use I came home and there was a big pile of poop right next to the box, so I think that’s beyond a clear message. Sorry I can’t recommend.”– Cindy, reviewing Feline Pine Original Cat Litter
How Much Does Feline Pine Cat Litter Cost?
Many natural cat litters are more expensive than traditional clay litters, but Feline Pine is surprisingly affordable, depending which formula you choose.
The original formula costs under $0.50 per pound and comes in a wide range of bag sizes. The clumping litter, on the other hand, costs just over $1.00 per pound, making it a little more expensive than most clay litters, but it is still affordable for a natural litter.
Overall, Is Feline Pine Cat Litter A Good Choice?
We wish we had more positive things to say about Feline Pine because it is a great product, in theory. The idea behind all-natural cat litter is sound, and there are many natural cat litter brands out there that use wood materials successfully.
Unfortunately, the execution with these products leaves something to be desired for both recipes. If you have your heart set on a natural cat litter that acts like traditional clay litter, you may want to look elsewhere.
One thing to be mindful of with this brand is that pine has a fairly strong natural scent to it. This scent may be too strong for some cats, particularly when used in covered cat litter boxes. You should also know that pine materials are not safe for small pets like guinea pigs and rabbits because they can irritate the respiratory system. Do not use this litter in anything other than a cat litter box.
Feline Pine cat litter is a great idea. It is made from reclaimed materials, making it both sustainable and eco-friendly. The problem is that it simply doesn’t offer the same benefits as traditional clay litter or even other natural cat litters. If sustainability and eco-friendliness are your primary concern, however, you may be able to settle for slightly lesser performance.
Where Is Feline Pine Cat Litter Sold?
Feline Pine Cat Litter is sold online and in pet stores. You can find it for sale from online retailers like Chewy and Amazon as well as big box stores like Walmart and Target as well as local and national pet stores such as PetSmart and Petco.