Today’s column answers a reader’s question about walnut cat litter
By Midge Raymond
Q: Just read part one of this topic and read that (World’s Best Cat Litter), which is corn based, may contain pesticides. I have been using a mix of that with walnut shells, which my cat likes (he’s not too fussy). I went away from clay because of the ingestion issues. So what about walnut-based litter?
— Chris Adams, Ashland
A: Thanks so much for reading Catty Corner and for your question, Chris! As a non-expert on walnut litter, I did some research and consulting to answer your question.
Billie Jo Vinson of Ashland’s Wellness Pet Supplies has done her own research into walnut litter: “I know one brand in particular, Diamond, and I called them to make sure it was non-GMO and not sprayed with pesticides — and it’s not. It’s just ground walnut, very similar to the coconut [litter]. It is a brand that I do want to carry. We’re making room for it right now.”
The Diamond brand litter is sourced in the U.S., Vinson says, and isn’t mixed with any other ingredients. “People seem to really like the walnut litter, and cats seem to really like it,” Vinson says. “It’s very finely ground, for those who want to stay away from clays, and it’s much less dusty than the coconut litter.”
Walnut-based litter isn’t completely dust-free, however. Ashland resident Jim Bowen has been using Naturally Fresh quick-clumping walnut litter for his cat, Leroy, for the four years he’s been owned by Leroy. “It’s dusty,” Bowen says, though he adds that it’s far less dusty than clay litters, which he avoids because of Leroy’s asthma. “He kicks up a storm.”
Bowen has tried other litters, yet both he and Leroy prefer walnut over other types. There’s really only one drawback, Bowen says: “You can’t see what he does in the box — the brown color (of the walnut shells) covers up everything. It would be hard to know what’s in there.” On the occasions when Leroy has had health issues to keep an eye on, Bowen has substituted Pretty Litter, a pale silica litter that makes it easy to see the color of the cat’s urine, among other things.
Walnut-only litters are non-clumping; as with silica litters, you take out the solids only and mix in the liquids. As for the Naturally Fresh quick-clumping litter he uses, Bowen says, “It clumps but will break apart easily.”
Because Naturally Fresh is a clumping litter, Vinson cautions, this means there are ingredients other than walnut shells in it. “If it’s clumping, they have added something to it,” Vinson says.
Naturally Fresh does not list its ingredients on its website, or even on the bags containing the litter. However, you can call the company (based in the U.S., with California-sourced walnuts) to get a list of the litter’s ingredients, which I did. The ingredients in the Naturally Fresh quick-clumping litter are as follows: 95.9% is soft fibrous tissue from the insides of walnut shells; 4% is a food-grade, plant-based clumping agent; and 0.1% is a food-grade mold inhibitor.
So, not all walnut litter is created equal. If you want to know exactly what’s in your litter and the ingredients aren’t easily found, give the makers a call. You still may not find out everything — when I asked Naturally Fresh what the “clumping agent” is made of, I was told it is from a bean but not which particular bean (other than it’s not soy) because “our formulas are proprietary.”
Bowen finds walnut litter to be a little expensive, but on the plus side, “it lasts a long time.” All in all, Bowen and Leroy are happy with it — and Vinson is a fan of walnut litter as well. “As long as it’s a clean product that’s not going to harm them, then I’m for it.”
Ashland resident Midge Raymond is co-founder of Ashland Creek Press and author of the novels “Floreana” and “My Last Continent” and co-author of “Devils Island.” Email suggestions and questions for Catty Corner to her at [email protected].
