Last Updated: 4 months ago

Are you curious about how walnut cat litter works?

When we researched the natural cat litter, walnut shells turned out to be one of the best alternatives to clay litter.

Today, we’ll share the fruits of my labor with you and divulge all the benefits and drawbacks of using walnut cat litter!

Just keep reading.

What Is Walnut Cat Litter & How Does It Work?

Walnut cat litter is made from the inner lining of natural walnut shells. The shells are processed and grounded into brown pebbles or pellets with a grainy texture.

Ground walnut shells work the same way clumping clay does:

  • Walnut shells are highly absorbent, so they quickly soak the cat urine once your feline friend finishes its business.
  • Once the ground walnut shells absorb the urine, they form tight clumps (not as firm as clumping litter clumps, but still hard enough to scoop without breaking).
  • Ground walnuts have a texture similar to clumping cat litter brands, so it’s easy for the cats to cover their solid waste.

But is walnut litter safe for cats? Since cats are likely to consume some of the litter while grooming, it’s natural to worry about its safety.

Is Walnut Litter Safe For Cats?

walnut cat litter

Walnut litter is made from fibrous material from walnut shells, which aren’t toxic to cats.

The fresh litter can be dangerous only if your cat is allergic to nuts. (Don’t forget to check my piece on are pine shavings safe for cats!)

Moreover, Naturally Fresh quick clumping litter is 100% pet-friendly with no artificial ingredients, the perfect natural option for cats with allergies.

LitterMaid Walnut Litter is also made from all-natural walnut shells and is completely safe for cats.

While walnut shells are safe for cats, clumping walnut litter may not be the best choice for young kittens, who are likely to snack on litter.

According to Jackson Galaxy, “the flip side of clumping is that it forms the same insoluble mass you see in the box inside your cat if they groom it off of their paws.”

Walnut doesn’t form as tight clumps as clay, so it is unlikely to cause an intestinal blockage. But I would avoid clumping formulas around one-month-old kittens.

Fortunately, walnut litter has a non-clumping variety, perfect for kittens and adult cats. And what are the other benefits and drawbacks of walnut shell litter? Time to find out!

Pros & Cons Of Walnut Cat Litter

What are the pros and cons of walnut cat litter

I used Naturally Fresh’s all-natural cat litter for a couple of months, and I love its quick absorbent formula and how easy it was to maintain a clean litter box and eliminate unpleasant smells.

But let’s talk in detail about walnut cat litter pros and cons.

Pros

Using Naturally Fresh’s eco-friendly litter has more benefits than drawbacks, and it’s perfect for a multi or single-cat household.

1. Natural Product

Producing litter from walnut shells doesn’t harm the environment, reduces the environmental impact, and doesn’t contribute to pollution.

According to Naturally Fresh, their sustainable litter “generates nearly 42% fewer fossil fuels, uses 97% fewer mineral resources and emits 130% fewer greenhouse gasses.”

Moreover, walnut brands are made from a natural material, so they’re unlikely to contain harmful chemicals.

2. Excellent Absorbent Material

Walnuts are a great alternative to cat litter because they can absorb three times better than the standard clumping clay litter.

The absorbent walnut material quickly soaks cat urine and doesn’t allow it to pool at the bottom of the litter box and make a mess.

3. Powerful Clumping

Easy clumping and scooping is most important thing of walnut litter

Clumping walnut shell brands form solid clumps of waste, which are easy to scoop and don’t stick to the bottom of the box.

But they are the best choice for a regular litter box, not an automatic litter box.

3. Excellent Odor Control

Walnuts are full of natural enzymes that suppress unpleasant ammonia odors without the need to add baking soda or another odor-neutralizing agent.

4. No Harmful Silica Dust

Many clumping brands contain silica dust, a harmful agent that can damage the lungs. But walnut shell litter is silica-free, even if it’s not the best dust-free kitty litter.

5. No Strong Fragrances

Unscented clumping walnut litter has subtle natural scents that freshen the air without bothering your feline friend.

6. Variety

Walnut brands come in the scented or unscented litter, and the multi-cat clumping litter formula is perfect for multi-cat households.

8. Lightweight Litter

Walnut shells are lighter than bentonite clay, so you don’t have to worry about the weight when shopping for walnut litter.

Cons

What are the cons of walnut cat litter

Like all natural litter brands, walnut litter has its cons, but it’s still an excellent natural option for single or multi-cat households.

1. Litter Tracking Around Household

I discovered that walnut shell cat litter tracks a bit less than clumping clay litter. But a litter mat solved the problem quickly.

2. Spoilage Issues

Since all-natural cat litters are made from sustainable resources, they can’t stay unused for long.

3. Allergic Reaction

Some walnut brands contain trace amounts of walnut proteins, which can be a problem if you or your cats are allergic to nuts.

4. Dark Color

Most walnut litter I’ve used is brown, so it’s hard to tell the clean litter from the dirty one. I also can’t spot if the cats have blood in their urine or stools. And it leaves a bit of brown dust on the furniture.

5. Expensive

Unfortunately, natural litter has a higher price than the average clay litter, which can put a dent in your budget if you have multiple cats.

Walnut Cat Litter: Things To Consider

Fresh natural cat litter

Before you’re ready to use walnut cat litter, you probably have the same questions I had when reading numerous reviews. So, let’s see how to switch to walnut shell litter and how to use it.

How To Switch To Walnut Cat litter

Switching to walnut cat litter is easy once you’ve picked the right product (scented/unscented/multi-cat formula) for your litter box:

  • Pour one or two inches of walnut litter into the cat toilet box.
  • Cover it with one or two inches of your current brand of clumping clay litter.
  • Keep increasing the amount of walnut litter with every litter change until you’re no longer using your old brand.

How To Use Walnut Cat Litter?

Using walnut cat litter is simple:

  • Follow the above steps to get your cat used to the texture.
  • Scoop solid clumps and solid waste daily.
  • Monitor your cat to ensure it’s using the litter box as usual.

How Often Should You Change Walnut Cat Litter?

You should scoop the clumped litter daily and change the entire litter box at least once a month or whenever you notice an unpleasant smell.

If you have multiple cats, you may need to change the walnut cat litter more frequently or switch to a multi-cat litter formula.

FAQ

Is Walnut Cat Litter Dust-Free?

Walnut litter isn’t virtually dust free, but it’s free of harmful silica dust and is less dusty than other non-clumping cat litter brands. 

Can Cats be Allergic to Walnut Litter?

Yes, some cats can be allergic to walnuts. Watch for sneezing, coughing, and skin irritation. 

Can Walnut Cat Litter be Composted?

Yes, walnut cat litter can be composted, but using the dirty litter in vegetable composts is not recommended. 

WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

You can get walnut cat litter from online retailers like Amazon, Chewy, or Walmart and get free shipping on large orders. But you can also try local pet stores or supermarkets.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF WALNUT LITTER?

The bests way to dispose of walnut shell litter is to seal the dirty litter clumps in a garbage bag and throw it in the trash.

Conclusion

Walnut cat litter is an excellent alternative to traditional clay brands. It has an excellent clumping formula, fights tough litter box odors, and doesn’t produce any clay dust. 

Moreover, walnuts are an eco-friendly, clumping litter, and it’s worth its price, even if I have to clean some brown footprints from the floors.

What do you think about walnut cat litter? Have you ever tried it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Resources

Olfa T
Olfa T

Olfa knows how to get things done and has a keen business sense that others admire. She’s always on the go, coming up with new ideas! Her ability to anticipate the needs of her readers and deliver information that they want is what makes CatVills such a success. She loves cuddling her cat Picaciu. He is her inspiration.