These days there are SO many choices when it comes to cat litter. We've come a long way from only having a few non-clumping, inexpensive clay litters to choose from. Now there is everything from crystal litter that changes colors, to all kinds of clumping clay or wood litter and several different food-based litters like corn, wheat, tofu, tea, walnut....and the list goes on. Plus, the price range can vary greatly and can really add to the monthly pet budget.  At the end of the day, it all comes down to using a litter that your cat likes, doesn't stink up the entire house, easy to scoop and clean, and also good for the environment.  Wondering how to decide? No one wants to waste time and money trying a bunch of different litters that don't work. Let's start by explaining the differences and why wood natural litter is the best choice for today's cat parents.  Wood works naturally without harmful chemicals or added perfumes or scents. Have you ever seen how a piece of wood will swell up when water is allowed to stay on it? If you have ever had a toilet leak or other leak where a wood floor is, you have probably experienced this.  Wood fiber also naturally prevents enzymes from boding with liquid and waste to stop the creation of ammonia & odor. It is a nice, natural "wood" scent that is pleasant for you and your cat. Though wood litter is very effective at neutralizing the odors of urine and ammonia, it isn’t so great at managing the smell of feces. To keep your wood litter box smelling good, it’s best to scoop solids as soon as possible and dispose in a biodegradable bag.  Clay or silica also absorb liquid but usually have added chemicals and perfumes. Clay litters contain bentonites which can be very dusty and cause respiratory issues. Keep in mind, a cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than that of a human. Your cat not only breathes it in when using the litter box, but also may injest it when cleaning their paws and you have to breathe when filling or cleaning the box.    okocat wood litters are precisely made and cut to absorb liquid on contact, naturally, to form solid clumps for easy scooping and cleaning with very little airborne dust. A plant-based ingredient is added to make it clump.   Wood litter is made from sustainable materials and is 100% biodegradable.  Clay litter still accounts for more than five billion pounds of strip-mined clay annually. Strip mining, a type of surface mining, involves removing massive layers of soil and rock to expose the minerals underneath. Through this destructive process, wildlife habitats are ruined and nearby waterways are polluted. Because it’s not biodegradable, it clogs up landfills, a situation that causes much environmental concern.   As the janitor of your cat’s litter box, hygiene and odor control are key concerns. Natural wood and paper materials are very absorbent and rely on natural plant fibers to trap odors so they can't escape and evade the home.   Clumping Wood litter lasts longer so you spend less and clean less.  A high quality wood clumping cat litter with great odor control is imperative to making it last longer. The clumps allow for easy daily scooping to remove only the soiled litter and leave the rest. Good odor control helps to keep the space smelling fresh without needing to completely throw out all the litter and replace it with all new litter.  ökocat natural wood clumping litter works so well, you won't have to change the entire litter box every week, saving time and money. It really is a litter that lasts longer due to its superior all natural absorption capabilities and odor control. With regular scooping, the base litter can last up to 7 weeks!  To make it last even longer, make sure you are using the right scoop so as not to waste any good litter.           

You love your cat to the fullest but do you ever wonder if she really loves you back? Unlike dogs who mostly wear their love on their face at all times and show it by giving you sloppy kisses, wagging their tails and snuggling, cats can be a little standoffish. They are more subtle in showing their love and of course, only when THEY want to. It's really all about building trust and understanding their love language as well as their boundaries.  A study by neuroscientist Dr. Paul J. Zak, Ph.D., for a BBC2 documentary, “Cats v Dogs,” showed that cats’ oxytocin levels (the hug, cuddle, bonding, trust hormone released in a mother bonding with an infant) increased by 12 percent after 10 minutes of playtime with their pet parents. Watching their body language is very important when it comes to understanding how much your cat loves you or another person.    8 Signs Your Cat Loves You 1. Kneading with their front paws This is something they usually start doing when they are a kitten and nursing to stimulate milk flow. Kneading is also a way for cats to activate the sweat glands in their paws and mark you as their own.  2. Purring One of the most obvious signs your cat loves you is purring. It's also a sign of happiness and contentment. Some cats definitely have louder "motors" than others, but we all associate that familiar sound with love. “Cats show their love by rubbing against you, purring when petted and of course curling up next to you,” says Dr. Ruth MacPete, DVM, The Pet Vet. 3. Head butts or "bunting" Cat bunting is usually perceived as a sign of affection. However, you may notice they also head butt inanimate objects around you too, including an okocat litter box! This is mainly to rub their scent onto you and to create a colony scent that only cats would be able to detect. But cats don’t just do this to just anyone and they certainly have to think highly of you to bunt to show their love.  4. A slow blink, blink Unlike some animals where it means aggression, cats will use direct eye contact with their human to show affection and trust. Half-closed eyes and or a slow blink is known as a "cat kiss" and shows they are very relaxed and feeling adoration towards you. Try doing it back!  5. Bringing you "presents" All of us cat parents have probably experienced this a time or two, especially if your cat goes outdoors. A lovely "gift" left on the doorstep, a mouse or bird that hopefully does not end up in the house too. I once had to capture a bat that our tuxedo cat had "gifted" us. Try to remember, this is a sign of love and your cat just wants to reward you.  6. Following you...everywhere & snuggling Can you not even go to the bathroom without your cat wanting in? Paws under the door? Or when you come home, she walks between your legs, rubbing, meowing and purring because she is so happy to see you. These are all signs of love and that they miss you when you are gone, or even when they can't see you.    7. Belly up Dogs do this all the time but for cats it's an ultimate sign of love and trust. Just make sure they are relaxed before you start petting that belly, because some cats will roll on their back to get their claws ready for attack!  8. Love licks or bites Who doesn't love a kitty kiss? Licking is similar to the grooming they would perform on their feline friends and allows for marking of each other. Grooming builds a bond between cat and human. Sometimes they will even try to lick or chew your hair. When a cat gifts you with a gentle nibble–or love bite–it's still considered a playful sign of love. But when the nibbling crosses into painful territory or gets too aggressive, it's no longer a love bite! It's super important to pay close attention to your cat's mood and back off if you see signs that they want to be left alone.  “The purr is very important. It’s the purr that does it every time. It’s the purr that makes up for the Things Under the Bed, the occasional pungency, the 4 a.m. yowl. Other creatures went in for big teeth, long legs or over-active brains, while cats just settled for a noise that tells the world they’re feeling happy.” ― Terry Pratchett          

Let's face it, most everything is more expensive these days and that includes cat litter. With the rising cost of labor, packaging and shipping, manufacturers have had to raise prices to help offset these as much as possible.  We are here to help you SAVE on your cat litter budget! Litter is not something you can do without and not something you want to buy the cheapest kind you can find. We've all been to "that" house - the one that just smells awful the moment you walk in the door.  Here are 5 easy ways to use less and spend less on cat litter. Use a high quality, natural clumping cat litter A high quality clumping cat litter with great odor control is imperative to making it last longer. The clumps allow for easy daily scooping to remove only the soiled litter and leave the rest. Good odor control helps to keep the space smelling fresh without needing to completely throw out all the litter and replace it with all new litter.  ökocat natural wood clumping litter works so well, you won't have to change the entire litter box every week, saving time and money. It really is a litter that lasts longer due to its superior all natural absorption capabilities and odor control. With regular scooping, the base litter can last up to 7 weeks!   Read Expert Review Simply add new litter as needed after you scoop, keeping about 2-3” in the tray at all times. Plus when cleaning the litter box, remember that ökocat is both biodegradable and compostable – making it better for the planet. One thing to keep in mind is that cats generally don’t like any change, so if you’re switching to a new litter like ökocat, you should start by transitioning slowly. Learn more >>> Get the right slotted scoop for less waste It's important to use a slotted scoop that is best suited for the texture of the litter. No need to get an expensive scoop, just make sure the slots are large enough especially if you are using a pellet litter like ökocat less mess.  You can find a large-slotted pellet scoop on many online sites. It is especially helpful when the slots in the scoop are located at back, this allows the unused litter can easily fall back into the litter box.  If you have a plastic scoop and need larger holes, just use a wire snipper or sharp scissors to carefully cut out pieces.  Recommendations: While we recommend any scoop with large slots, the top three scoops that are compatible with all varieties of ökocat litter are the Litter-Lifter Pellet Scoop, and BasicForm Cat Litter Scoop or modify a plastic one, watch how >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIQBjH9Qt0g.   Place a wide mat or rug under the litter box All cat litter tracks to some extent which means good litter gets outside the litter box. A litter mat will help catch the litter and then easily shake it back into the box or just use a broom and dust pan.  Even an old rug or towel works great as well. No need to purchase a special one.  Learn more about how to prevent tracking >>> Fill the box and scoop often Don't get skimpy when filling the litter box. We recommend 2-3 inches to provide enough depth for the clumps to form and rise to the top, leaving the bottom clean, no scraping or dumping needed. Don't fill it up too much though if your cat is a digger or a kicker or takes half the litter with them out of the box. A high-sided litter box works great to prevent that.  It's best to scoop at a minimum of once per day and remove any feces as soon as possible. This helps to keep the litter smelling fresh and therefore lasting longer.    Look for discounts and coupons We offer a printable coupon on our website here to print out each week if needed. Or if you order online, signing up for autoship can save you 5% or more on each order. Most retailers run different promotions throughout the year such as Buy One Get One 50% OFF which is the perfect time to stock up and SAVE.  Some small pet stores participate in the Astro Loyalty Rewards program for many pet products. ökocat  as a Buy 6 Get 1 FREE! Check with your local independent pet retailer to see if they have the Astro program.          We hope these quick and easy tips help you save money on cat litter. Use less, spend less, clean less with ökocat natural litter today!  

Did you know that ökocat litter is 100% biodegradable and compostable? ökocat litter is an all-natural plant-based cat litter, which allows it to be returned from where it came—the earth! Not only are we committed to making sustainable products, but we also strive to produce minimal waste and help you do the same! Did you know that roughly 80% of the items buried in landfills in the United States could be recycled or composted? Landfills are one of the largest contributors to soil pollution. Traditionally when cleaning the litter box it is common to simply toss the old litter into the trash. However, composting has recently become a great way to reduce household waste. ökocat litter users who compost their old litter can sleep better at night knowing that they are creating a smaller carbon footprint for your furry friend. How does it work? Organic waste will break down naturally if given enough access to oxygen, allowing microorganisms to feed on the organic materials, breaking it down into usable compost! This is called aerobic decomposition, organic materials converted to compost can be used as a soil amendment, improving the quality of your soil by adding essential plant nutrients. In landfills, waste lacks access to oxygen causing decomposition to take much longer and producing lots of greenhouse gasses like methane and takes up so much space! How do I start a home compost? If you are interested in starting a home composting system, do your research to find the right composting system for your home – there are tons of methods out there that will require different amounts of space and even work on your end. The basic principles of creating healthy compost are the same, it’s critical to practice good composting standards for optimal aerobic decomposition. This means stirring, turning, watering, checking the temperature, and covering your compost every few days. Make sure there isn’t too much of one type of organic material in your compost pile, you want an overall balanced content. Variety is the spice of life, and that holds true to your compost pile as well! It does take some effort but it’s well worth it in the end and after a few months, your compost will be ready to be used in your happy and healthy garden. If you have any questions or concerns regarding composting at home, we recommend checking your local ag regulations, reading more through the tips at EPA.gov, or checking your state regulations. Can I compost poo?  It depends. Many of the compost blends you can buy on the market will contain manure from animals like cows and horses. These animals are herbivores, meaning their waste will only contain plant matter and this creates amazing compost! So the rules of thumb for composting your pet’s waste is: herbivores only! That, unfortunately, means no for composting your cat's poo. Cat parents can still compost their excess litter but should remove the solid waste from the used litter and properly dispose of with the use of a biodegradable bag. The feces of any carnivorous animal may contain harmful bacteria and should NOT come in contact with anything edible. After removing any solid waste, you can safely compost the rest of the litter. Composting How-to: Place litter on your compost heap, add some straw and mix it all together. Allow this to sit with other compostable items, turning the compost as needed to allow for proper aerobic decomposition. Each composting system has different requirements for turning and tending, so make sure to tailor these steps to your specific system. Depending on the size of your pile and your method of composting, it can take anywhere from two to six months for your compost to be ready to use and mixed into your garden. Important Tips for Success: Do not compost the waste of any animals who are ill, contagious, or taking medication, as these unwanted elements may wind up in your soil. Do not compost the feces of carnivores or omnivores Keep your compost pile balanced Don’t want to Start your Own Composting System? What if I don’t want to start a home compost, but don’t want to throw my excess litter into the garbage? If you are not interested in creating your own home compost bin or don’t have the available space, you may be able to use a yard waste bin or simply bring your compostable materials to local farms or a nearby community garden. Be sure to ask first if they will accept compostable materials with pet waste and what the requirements are. Most waste management companies have a commercial composting facility, especially if you live in a larger town or city. If you are struggling to locate one, we simply recommend googling “composting facilities near me”, give them a call and ask: If they provide a waste-management bin and the times they pick up compost If they do not pick up, when and how your compostable materials can be dropped off Any regulations of what should/should not be included in your compost materials The cost associated with working the yard-waste management Any additional benefits they provide (such as finished compost at a reduced price). So what are you waiting for? Start composting your used ökocat litter today!

So you’ve decided the time is right to welcome in a new furry member of the family? Who doesn’t want a kitten – they are a lot of fun and there is definitely no shortage on cuteness, but they are a big responsibility as well. Some things you’ll want to consider before adopting your net cat; would a mature cat be better suited to your lifestyle or do you have the time and energy needed to raise a kitten? Should you adopt more than one cat to offer them some companionship? Are you willing to commit to being a pet parent for the full length of a cats life? The average lifespan for an indoor cat is around 15 years! So before you decide between adopting a kitten or a more mature cat – make sure you are prepared for the commitment that comes with raising a kitten. So what do you need to know to make sure you start off on the right paw with your new kitten? Follow along and we will make sure you are set up for success! Before Adoption Before you bring home your new kitten, there are some things you will want to get squared away to ensure a smooth transition into your home and family! Find a vet One of the most important steps to take first is to get set up with a good veterinarian. It is a really good idea to take your new kitten in for an exam right away. They will be able to check your cat for any health concerns and answer any lingering questions you may have on providing your kitten with the very best care – like selecting the most nutritional food or litter training tips. Supplies Before you bring home your new kitten, you will want to make sure you are well stocked on everything your new friend will need. Cat food: do your research or consult your vet to select the perfect food for your kitten Cat box & litter: ökocat wood clumping cat litter has you covered with 4 different varieties to meet your needs as a new kitten parent. ökocat super soft is a great litter to start with for new kittens and their tender paws ökocat dust free for kitties with sensitive noses or allergies Cat carrier: essential item for safe travel and trips to the vet Scratching post: avoid your cat tearing up your furniture by offering them a scratching post or cat tree Toys: toys provide your cat with a great way to get out their kitten energy, form bonds with you, and redirect their uses to play by scratching you or your furniture Food & water bowls Collar with bell and ID tags: especially important if you plan to let your cat outside, the bell will help warn away any birds in your yard Grooming supplies: a brush and nail clippers are essential tools to keep your cat’s fur unmated and their claws trimmed to avoid nasty scratches Ready your home One last thing to check of the “To Do List” before you bring your kitten home, is to make sure your space it ready for them! Kittens are wild little creatures. They are curious, feisty, and full of energy and will be sure to keep you on your feet. So take stock of your home, and put away breakables and anything that looks like an accident waiting to happen. Those wiley cats love to munch on those houseplants, but there are many that can be toxic to cats. Luckily ASPCA has created a list of toxic houseplants to help you keep your fur friends safe.   Welcome Home It is finally time to welcome your new kitten into their forever home! It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of having a new pet, but remember to go slow. Your kitten will need to time to adjust and feel safe and comfortable in their new home. The best way to help them with this transition is to set up a designated space for them to get acclimated to before you let them roam freely. This area should be away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house and full of any essentials they will need to be comfortable – food and water, a comfy bed, and a litter box. Start by placing their carrier in the room, leaving the door open for them to leave when they feel ready. Patience will be the golden rule here. Give your new friend the time and space they need to get used to their surroundings and their new family – you will all be cuddling and playing together in no time!