A discussion on the raw materials, production, and quality control of cat litter. ..

Cat litter background

H. Edward Lowe is considered the father of the cat litter industry. In January 1947, Lowe launched a thriving construction supply business in Casopolis, Michigan. Lowe's neighbor asked him to help "find something absorbent" to replace the sand ash in her cat litter box. His answer was dry clay. Fifty years later, Cat litter sales amounted to $767 million. Before Lowe invented "cat litter," most owners had no choice but to let their cats go outside to urinate. The emergence of cat litter has brought about the possibility of cats becoming more domesticated and staying indoors. Cat litter can be divided into two types: conventional and clustered. Although the particle sizes vary, traditional cat litter can be described as gravelly in texture. Most brands claim to be dust-free or low-dust, and they also include deodorants. For traditional cat litter, items in the litter box must be discarded each time the litter box is cleaned to ensure a completely fresh supply of cat litter. Cluster cat litter was launched in 1989 and accounts for about 60% of the current cat litter filler market. Smaller granular cat litter sticks together when it comes into contact with liquids, hence it is called "clumping." When using clumped cat litter, the cat owner can pick up the clump and add more new litter to the litter box without needing to refill it each time it is cleaned. The main drawback of clumped cat litter seems to be its tendency to "track," meaning that finer particles stick to the cat's claws when the cat leaves the litter box.

Cat litter raw material analysis

Cat litter made from absorbent clay accounts for about 95% of all cat litter. Clay is a naturally occurring non-metallic substance composed of aluminum silicate and minerals. Light clay is more popular than dark clay because it tends to become cloudy and cannot absorb additional moisture when wet. Although most commercial cat litter box fillings are based on absorbent clay, anything theoretically capable of absorbing moisture can be used as cat litter. 

2.1 Recycling waste from the wood industry is employed to produce alternative cat litter. For example, a mixture of cedar slices and hardwood is lighter than clay cat litter, and its cedar aroma can absorb the scent of the cat litter box. Another type is made from waste birch wood. During this manufacturing process, the sawdust and bark are finely ground and then heated to 1200°F (649°C) in a kiln-shaped large drum. When materials are extruded through a sieve to form quarter-inch particles, this causes resin or sap to bond the wood together. Then the particles are passed through a cooling tank on the covered conveyor before packaging. 

 2.2 paper makes it a viable alternative to traditional cat litter. To produce "paper" cat litter, post-consumer newspapers are recycled, de-inked, and sifted. During the pulping process, long fibers are processed back into paper, but short fibers are considered waste. Short fibers are dehydrated, granulated, dried, combined with odor controllers, and packaged into cat litter. Like wooden cat litter, paper waste is also lightweight, about 40% lighter than clay cat litter. This paper cat litter can also be rinsed in small amounts. 

2.3 Byproducts of grain hard grains can also be used as alternatives to cat litter. Manufacturers grind hard grains (similar to those used to make pasta) to the desired consistency for mixing and granulation. Spices, small corn kernels, and sometimes catnip added. One advantage of grain products is that enzymes in the mixture can naturally neutralize the odor of cat feces. 

2.4 Corn kernels recovered from corn cobs can be made into granules for use as cat litter. During the manufacturing process, the lightweight external parts and the sponge-like center are ground, heated, and processed into particles, which are then ground and sifted. Compared to clay products of the same volume, this material weighs approximately half as much and absorbs about five times as much water. Other advantages are that the bedding clumps and can be rinsed. 

2.5 Recycled waste from the citrus fruit industry can be used to make fragrant cat litter fillers. Manufacturers remove the peel from juicy citrus fruits, press it, and then dry it in a natural gas kiln. The screening process removes dust and fine debris from the final product. Citrus cat litter has high water absorption, washability, and biodegradability. Additionally, the residual citric acid in dried fruit peels naturally neutralizes the odor of waste. 

2.6 Cat litter is also made from northern red wheatgrass. Before granulation, grind the straw bundle and cut it into small pieces. Vacuum the particles twice to remove dust, then package them. The obtained product is biodegradable. 

2.7 Other cat litter components you may have also seen while strolling on the cat litter shelf. These materials are typically made from a synthetic form of sodium silicate called silica. A small packet of silicone, which is a desiccant, can be found in certain foods or when purchasing new shoes and helps absorb excess moisture to help keep the food from spoiling. Crystal cat litter is made from a similar silica formula and can absorb cat urine without clumping.

Cat litter quality control

Odor control, preventing cats from taking out of the litter box, and avoiding dust are three aspects that need to be considered in cat litter manufacturing. Many companies have their own cat fleets to test the effectiveness of their products in these three areas. Feedback from cat owners is also crucial for manufacturers, who typically provide free phone numbers on product packaging. 05 Cat Sand's Future

Inventors like Theodore Kiebke are experimenting with new materials to develop better cat litter. As a substitute for traditional clay cat litter, he invented "wheat sand," which clumps, does not contain silica dust, and leaves no trace. Before discovering the hard-grained wheat used for pasta, he tried different types of flour and cornstarch. He mixed it with ordinary clay sand and made some improvements to create wheat cat litter. The product claims to be non-toxic, 100% biodegradable, nearly dust-free (and completely free of silica dust), scooped, odorless, and with minimal tracking issues. Cat litter also has a new product called "Indicator Cat litter." The product changes color to indicate the pH value of cat urine (a measure of acidity or alkalinity). Understanding a cat's pH level is crucial for treating cat hypospadiasis (FLUTD), which can kill domestic cats in severe cases.