Tractor Supply pine pellets have become a popular alternative to other wood pellet cat litters, largely due to the affordable price tag. Are they any different from the other brands? Do you compromise on quality when purchasing generic pine pellets? These are exactly the questions we’ll answer in this article, as well as an overall comparison between Tractor Supply pine pellets and conventional wood pellet cat litters.
What Is Pine Pellet Cat Litter?
Pine pellet cat litter is exactly what it sounds like – cat litter made from compressed pine shavings. Other trees used in wood pellets include fir and cypress. These wood shavings are carefully dried and then compressed into absorbent pellets. Some manufacturers go the extra mile by adding cat-safe additives such as baking soda or plant starches to enhance absorption, clumping, and odor control.
Are Tractor Supply Pine Pellets Different Than Cat Litter?
The answer is: not really. The pellets are virtually identical to other wood pellet cat litters like Feline Pine. The only real difference is they’re marketed for other uses, such as wood stove fuel or horse bedding.
Now let’s get into the strengths and weaknesses of these pellets.
Benefits of Using Tractor Supply Pine Pellets as Cat Litter
Affordability: One of the most striking features of Tractor Supply Pine Pellets is their affordability. Priced at just $0.19 per pound, they are an incredibly budget-friendly option. For thrifty cat parents, this is music to their ears.
Low Dust: Nobody enjoys a dusty home, especially not our cats or those with allergies. Tractor Supply Pine Pellets excel in this department, boasting minimal dust production.
Low Tracking: The large pellets of Tractor Supply Pine Pellets are less likely to cling to your cat's fur and paws, reducing tracking significantly.
Great Odor Control: A litter's ability to control odors is paramount. Tractor Supply Pine Pellets perform admirably in this area. They effectively neutralize litter box odors, even without added deodorizers. The inherent absorbency of wood fiber and the pleasant natural scent of wood combine for effective odor control.
Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly: Tractor Supply Pine Pellets are largely made from scrap wood fiber from other industries. Plus, they are biodegradable, meaning you won't contribute to long-term landfill waste.
Drawbacks of Using Tractor Supply Pine Pellets as Cat Litter
Uncomfortable Texture: The rough texture of pine pellets may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially for cats with sensitive paws or those who are declawed.
Pine Scent: While humans may enjoy the fresh scent of pine, it might not be as appealing to our feline companions. Cats have sensitive noses, and some might be deterred by the wood scent.
Cleaning Challenges: Without a sifting litter box, cleaning wood pellet litters like Tractor Supply's can be more time-consuming. The large pellets often don't fit through the slots of standard litter scoops, making it tricky to scoop out solid waste without inadvertently removing clean pellets.
Quality Control: There have been reports of bags containing broken pellets, indicating potential quality control issues. Keep this in mind when purchasing.
Tractor Supply Pine Pellets vs Other Pine Pellet Brands
While Tractor Supply Pine Pellets offer many advantages, they are not the only players in the pine pellet cat litter game. Let's take a quick look at a few other options:
Tractor Supply Co Pine Pellets
Pros: very affordable, low dust, low tracking, great odor control, absorbent, lightweight, biodegradable, eco-friendly
Cons: uncomfortable texture, pine scent, can become dusty, hard to clean, some broken pellets
Ingredients: pine sawdust
Price: $7.49 for 40 lbs = $0.19/lb
Feline Pine Platinum With Baking Soda
Pros: Great odor control, low tracking, low dust, affordable, lightweight, biodegradable, eco-friendly.
Cons: Uncomfortable texture, pine scent, can become dusty, hard to clean.
Ingredients: Pine sawdust, baking soda.
Price: $18.99 for 18 lbs ($1.05/lb)
Weruva It’s a Tea Potty! Cat Litter
Pros: Great odor control, low tracking, flushable, long-lasting, lightweight, biodegradable, eco-friendly.
Cons: Expensive, uncomfortable texture, strong natural scent, soft clumping, hard to clean, inconsistent dust content.
Ingredients: Hinoki wood fiber, green tea leaves, potato starch.
Price: $33.99 for 11.7 lbs ($2.91/lb)
Small Pet Select Premium Pine Cat Litter
Pros: Low dust, low tracking, solid odor control, lightweight, biodegradable, eco-friendly.
Cons: Uncomfortable texture, pine scent, hard to clean, not great value, poor quality packaging.
Ingredients: Pine sawdust.
Price: $24.93 for 20 lbs ($1.25/lb)
Conclusion
Tractor Supply Pine Pellets offer an incredibly affordable, low-dust, and low-tracking alternative to traditional cat litters. While they might not be the best fit for every cat, their cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly nature make them an appealing option for many cat parents. Just remember to consider your cat's comfort and your cleaning preferences before making your final decision.
Lastly, if you like natural, low tracking cat litter but also like the convenience of clumping litter, check out our Really Great Cat Litter. It's thoughtfully made from soybean byproduct, and it's even flushable!
