Every day, new products for cats and dogs make their way to local pet and grocery stores. It’s hard to keep up with new concepts and ideas. Today, we want to break down a relatively new product: cat litter made of tofu. Don’t worry, we asked the same question when we heard of it: what is tofu cat litter? And, is it something we want to try? Let’s discuss where tofu litter comes from and why it’s a good thing for cats and the environment.
Tofu for Humans
Tofu is a soy-based food. According to Healthline.com, tofu is made from condensed soy milk that is pressed into blocks of different firmness. Tofu’s popularity has grown in the US over recent years but it’s traditionally part of Asian cuisine. For me, tofu is hit or miss. I enjoy it when it’s prepared well but I also recognize that it’s a versatile yet delicate ingredient for those that aren’t used to cooking with it.
Tofu for Cats
Tofu cat litter isn’t for eating; it’s for cats to pee and poop in. While it’s made from soy, tofu kitty litter is not made the same way tofu is made for human consumption. Most tofu cat litter is, instead, made of soybean byproduct. Tuft & Paw, for example, lists five ingredients in their tofu litter formulation. These ingredients include Soybean Fiber, Corn Starch, Corn Flour, Guar Gum, and Charcoal. Most tofu litter brands claim that their product is made from fibrous material that is filtered out of soy milk production, making it a great upcycled pet product.
Tofu Litter Features
According to Tuft & Paw, their formula is 100% flushable, 99% dust-free, low-tracking, ultra-absorbent, clumping, and odor-eliminating. The brand, Natural Paw, makes similar claims. Most soy litter makers insist that soy litter quickly clumps into tight balls and traps ammonia smell. They also promise that said clumps that do not stick to paws.
The earth and cat-friendly aspects of tofu litter are quite appealing. Most mainstream cat litter has dusty particles that can make their way into our cat’s lungs. Concerning ingredients like clay and silica can have long-term health effects. The idea that this litter is safe and nontoxic adds a layer of peace of mind. The product looks like rabbit food pellets, which could take some getting used to but is an interesting concept overall.
Tofu Cat Litter Pros
Looking online, you’ll find that tofu litter gets good reviews. Users claim that the litter does not stick to the box and quickly forms clumps that don’t break into tiny pieces. Most users like the eco-friendly aspect but also enjoy that the product is dust-free. As a cat lover myself, I understand the desire for cat parents to reduce the amount of dust they inhale while scooping. Some litter products are so dusty, it’s downright unpleasant to scoop. That likely means it’s just as unpleasant for our cats to use.
Clean-up also seems easier with this product. Reviewers claim that the litter doesn’t track as much as other similar litter types and that it doesn’t smell because of the use of charcoal in most formulas. Cats also seem to adjust to this type of litter well, per reviews.
Tofu Cat Litter Cons
The main detraction that we found against tofu-based litter is the price. Because there are several litter products on the market, it’s also somewhat time-consuming to research the brands and choose one to try. Here’s a list of reviews to get you started. There are also video reviews on YouTube.
As professional pet sitters, we believe that a litter product should stand up to the number of cats in the house. It should also meet the preferences of the cats that are going to use the product. And, finally, it should withstand the frequency with which users scoop their litter boxes. In addition, litter products should meet a family’s budget. Finding subscription discounts and promo codes is a great way to make sustainable products more affordable.
Finally, a flushable formula may be appealing to some but, we default to throwing litter debris out in a biodegradable GreenLine Pet Supply poop bag. We wouldn’t risk flushing anything down our clients’ toilets, even if a product manufacturer assured us it was safe to do so.
To learn more about our professional cat sitting services, including litter scooping, please contact us by phone or text at 860-964-0464 or via email at info@cthappypaws.com. We specialize in the care of cats and dogs and serve the following areas:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
