Pine Litter Buying Guide
Everything you need to know about choosing, transitioning to, and maintaining pine cat litter for the best results.
1Choosing the Right Pine Litter
Pellets vs. Shavings
Pine litter comes in two main forms: compressed pellets and loose shavings. Pellets are the most popular choice—they're cleaner, more absorbent, and break down into sawdust when wet, making it easy to spot and remove soiled areas.
Look for Kiln-Dried Pine
Quality pine litter should be kiln-dried. This process removes moisture and potentially harmful phenolic compounds while preserving the beneficial natural properties. Avoid raw or untreated pine products not intended for pet use.
Check for Additives
The best pine litters are 100% natural with no artificial fragrances, dyes, or chemical additives. Some brands add baking soda or other odor enhancers—these are generally safe but unnecessary if you maintain the box properly.
2Transitioning Your Cat
Most cats adapt to pine litter within 1-2 weeks. Here's the recommended transition approach:
Week 1: Introduction
Mix 25% pine pellets with 75% of your current litter. This lets your cat get used to the new texture and scent gradually.
Week 2: Half and Half
Increase to a 50/50 mix of pine and old litter. Most cats will be using the box normally by this point.
Week 3: Majority Pine
Switch to 75% pine, 25% old litter. Your cat should be fully comfortable with the new texture now.
Week 4: Complete Transition
Move to 100% pine litter. Monitor for the first few days to ensure your cat is using the box normally.
3Litter Box Setup
How Much Litter to Use
Fill the box with 1-2 inches of pine pellets. Unlike clay, you don't need a deep layer. The pellets expand as they absorb moisture, so starting with less is actually better.
Box Type Recommendations
Pine litter works with any style of litter box. However, if you want to take advantage of the sawdust-sifting method, consider a sifting litter box system:
- Fresh pellets stay on top
- Saturated sawdust falls through the grate
- Easy disposal of used material
- Less litter waste overall
Location Matters
Place the box in a quiet, accessible location away from food and water. Cats prefer privacy, but the box should still be easy for you to access for regular maintenance.
4Daily & Weekly Maintenance
Daily Tasks
- Remove solid waste with a scoop
- Stir the litter to distribute sawdust
- Check moisture levels
- Add fresh pellets if needed
Weekly Tasks
- Sift out saturated sawdust (if using sifting box)
- Top up with fresh pellets
- Wipe down box edges
Monthly Tasks
- Complete litter change
- Wash box with mild soap
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely
- Refill with fresh pellets
5Troubleshooting Common Issues
Cat Won't Use the Box
If your cat is avoiding the pine litter, try slowing down the transition. Go back to a higher percentage of the old litter and increase pine more gradually. Some cats may take 4-6 weeks.
Odor Issues
Pine naturally controls odors, but if you're noticing smells:
- Increase scooping frequency
- Add more fresh pellets
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Consider a complete litter change
Tracking
While pine tracks less than clay, some sawdust may stick to paws. A litter mat outside the box catches most of it. Pellets themselves rarely track because of their larger size.
Pellets Not Breaking Down
If pellets aren't breaking down, they may not be getting wet enough (which is good—means they're still fresh!). Don't worry about breaking them down manually; just remove solids and let the system work naturally.
6Disposal Options
Regular Trash
Pine litter can go in your regular garbage. It's biodegradable, so it will break down in landfills much faster than clay.
Composting (Non-Waste Only)
Clean, unused pine sawdust and pellets can be composted. However, never compost cat waste—it can contain harmful pathogens. Only compost the clean, saturated sawdust that didn't contact feces.
Never Flush
Despite some claims, we don't recommend flushing any cat litter. Cat waste can contain Toxoplasma gondii, which isn't fully removed by water treatment and can harm marine wildlife.
Ready to Try Pine?
Purrify offers premium pine-based litter enhanced with natural biochar for the best odor control nature can provide.