Anyone know what Greenwoods litter is made of please?

CatAssTrophic · 2023-02-13T16:25:31+00:00

It says plant fibre, is not listed under the heading of wood or corn so can anyone tell me what it is please? I have used it previously and it was extremely hard and crunchy but I understand it has changed in the last few years, I think it was wood based before? I was going to ask Greenwoods, but they aren't likely to tell me if it is hard and crunchy and I need to know that too. I am looking for clumping litter that is soft on the paws but _not_ corn or any kind of clay/bentonite. I have mostly used Cats Best (Oko) for the last 15 years (ish) but New Cat isn't keen on it and prefers the Worlds Best (corn) which seems to be causing an allergy, hence not wanting corn based.

brokenarmabroad · 14/02/2023 07:27

You could try Natusan? That's what we use - clumps very well although it does track quite a bit.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/02/2023 07:39

I think approaching the manufacturer would be a good option. From online reviews it’s appears the packaging doesn’t state it’s one or the other. One reviewer says it looks like a mix of the two, corn and wood fibres.
Would a sawdust litter work for you? I’m thinking it’s softer than wood pellets, would still clump and I think it’s fairly easily obtained from pet shops as opposed to supermarkets?
Years ago we used a clear silica bead litter which turned blue as it was used. I think pets at home still sell it, but it was harder than clay or bentonite and smelled (to me) very quickly. But it did what it needed to do.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 14/02/2023 10:22

We use Greenwoods and I've just looked at the packaging for you - it just says 100% plant fibre - there's no breakdown of what kinds of fibre anywhere on the bag.

Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 10:25

@brokenarmabroad @Alphabet1spaghetti2 Thank you for replying. I will look at Natusan, I don't care about tracking, just getting the right litter as she is a good little cat and is obviously put off by the hard, crunchy stuff.

I forgot to mention, nothing perfumed not just for her but me too. I have noticed a huge amount of perfumed litter for sale and not a lot of natural so it looks as if I am not alone in this.

I use OKO clumping wood (sawdust type) as it used to be softer than it is currently and I bought in bulk on that basis. Previous cats were fine with the pellets. OKO has changed often over the years, sometimes disintegrates into powder, other times is hard and crunchy to the end.

Never liked Worlds Best and I could never see the attraction, first (huge) bag I had stank to high heaven and I avoided it until recently. I don't know what was used at the rescue, I did ask but most of the staff were inexperienced/new due to shortages/funding so the person I saw that day didn't seem to know much about anything and gave a lot of wrong information about other stuff, pointed me to reception and said they sell it there, however it was Worlds Best at the time, they obviously sell what has been donated or is on a deal somewhere.

Worlds Best and other corn litter can contain mites, not to mention spores and heaven knows what else, so if you have a cat with allergies it is not a great choice.

I won't use clay of any kind as it can stick together in the digestive system when licked off paws and cause problems, especially in smaller cats and kittens.

I have seen the colour changing stuff in the past, but not for ages now. Did use silica for one cat, but he didn't care as long as he could dig through the bottom of the tray and out the other side, the dust was unhealthy though.

It looks as if Greenwoods is out, as I have seen something similar that is made of walnut shells, I don't see how that could be soft and if they won't say what it is made of then it seems suspicious to me. Full disclosure is needed for my cats.

Sorry for the length of this post!

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Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/02/2023 10:34

Had a thought - would wood shavings be any good? Softer than pellets but harder than sawdust. Like they use in stables. Might be worth asking at a local stables if you could try a carrier bag amount in return for a ‘donation’?
I use vancat for my 5 felines, as that’s what my cats prefer, it doesn’t smell, clumps and is small sized so softer, doesn’t stick to the cats paws/noses/bums and comes as either perfumed or (cheaper) unperfumed. But it is calcium bentonite, so doesn’t tick all your boxes.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/02/2023 10:37

No need to apologise for length of post if you post a picture of new cat as cat tax payment!

BarbaraofSeville · 14/02/2023 11:27

We use this litter. I think it's quite soft on paws. We've tried the one with big pellets and find that cats and especially kittens don't like to walk on it, but we don't have any problem with this. It's also quite long lasting and hence economical, even if it's not the cheapest litter available.

There's a tiny label with a picture of trees that says it's produced from managed forests and sustainable sources, so gives the impression it's made of wood, but I don't know if it's true.

Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:23

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 14/02/2023 10:22

We use Greenwoods and I've just looked at the packaging for you - it just says 100% plant fibre - there's no breakdown of what kinds of fibre anywhere on the bag.

Thank you, I had looked closely at photos of packaging and reviews, and found nothing to indicate what it is made of so reached the conclusion that they are hedging their bets and not divulging what's in it so they can change the contents randomly without also changing the packaging which is why I am not falling for it.
I like to know what I am buying/using, seems a bit dishonest to me. For all I know it might arrive as a combination of wood and corn, wheat or another food based mixer.

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Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:28

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/02/2023 10:34

Had a thought - would wood shavings be any good? Softer than pellets but harder than sawdust. Like they use in stables. Might be worth asking at a local stables if you could try a carrier bag amount in return for a ‘donation’?
I use vancat for my 5 felines, as that’s what my cats prefer, it doesn’t smell, clumps and is small sized so softer, doesn’t stick to the cats paws/noses/bums and comes as either perfumed or (cheaper) unperfumed. But it is calcium bentonite, so doesn’t tick all your boxes.

I do need something that clumps. At one time OKO Cats Best changed (a good few years ago) as it does from time to time but this time it wasn't clumping and it was so bad that their response to complaints was to replace all the bad bags with new. Some of that mixed in with the crunchy batch would be ideal right now.
I am seeing names of litter on this thread that I have never seen before, it is very educational 😺

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Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:31

I will try to pay the Cat Tax when I can get Cat to stay still and stop following me about until I get the camera out whereupon on lifting it to focus there is miraculously no Cat.

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fantasmasgoria1 · 14/02/2023 22:33

We use wood pellet litter and it's excellent. It's easy to clean and not sharp like grit.

Theunamedcat · 14/02/2023 22:33

I know you said no clay but have you looked at everclean? It's soft clumping super good with odours

Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:35

BarbaraofSeville · 14/02/2023 11:27

We use this litter. I think it's quite soft on paws. We've tried the one with big pellets and find that cats and especially kittens don't like to walk on it, but we don't have any problem with this. It's also quite long lasting and hence economical, even if it's not the cheapest litter available.

There's a tiny label with a picture of trees that says it's produced from managed forests and sustainable sources, so gives the impression it's made of wood, but I don't know if it's true.

Thank you. I am suspicious of the 'sustainable sources' on this, could be anything renewable like corn, nut shells, tofu (although that is expensive in litter), grass...

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SleekMamma · 14/02/2023 22:44

Natusan is wood based very soft very clumpy. Non smelling. It's great

Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:45

fantasmasgoria1 · 14/02/2023 22:33

We use wood pellet litter and it's excellent. It's easy to clean and not sharp like grit.

I used wood pellets for a long time with previous little one, and the next one who gave me a sideways look the first time he encountered it but went ahead and used it. I liked them as they would roll along the floor when kicked out, and were easy to find and sweep up.
When it ran out I couldn't get it so went back to the Cats Best and Greenwoods of old. It was the last of the Greenwoods that she refused to use, and opted for the Cats Best in the other tray, she clearly has a preference for the Worlds Best though, it is very soft after all. She has shown her disgust by kicking the Cats Best all over the floor whilst not removing a grain of the Worlds Best/Greenwoods mix which is just about acceptable as long as I mix it well when topping up.

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Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:46

Theunamedcat · 14/02/2023 22:33

I know you said no clay but have you looked at everclean? It's soft clumping super good with odours

So far I've avoided clays but thank you, I will bear it in mind if all else fails.

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Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 22:48

SleekMamma · 14/02/2023 22:44

Natusan is wood based very soft very clumpy. Non smelling. It's great

I like the look of it actually, not heard of it until the replies on here.

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Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 14/02/2023 23:10

Thanks everyone, I have ordered Natusan and fingers crossed it will suit Her Royal CatAss. If not I will come back and read this thread again...

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Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 16/02/2023 18:09

Natrusan arrived, have filled a tray, added some of the used litter.

She used the other tray with the crunchy stuff in and ignored the Natrusan...🙄

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Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 16/02/2023 19:24

Pure catitude!

derekthe1adyhamster · 16/02/2023 19:31

🤣🤣 we use natusan. It is great ( if your cat uses it 😁)

Original poster

CatAssTrophic · 20/02/2023 18:56

All is well, she is using the tray with Natusan in and ignoring the hard, crunchy and sharp Greenwoods.
It did smell a bit woody so think it might have just needed to 'settle in'.
She is a sensitive little soul, and very, very smart.

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