CNN iReport

When Ken Simard foundeded Feline Pine in 1992, he never dreamed it would grow to become the best-selling brand of natural cat litter in America. Sixteen years later, his vision for using all-natural products and creating healthy solutions for our feline friends was fulfilled and continues to grow.

Feline Pine's mission is simple:

1. Make products that are safer and healthier for animals, utilizing pine and all-natural ingredients instead of clay.

2. Respect all living things, especially animals and pets because they rely on us.

3. Embrace a corporate duty to be a steward of the environment and our precious natural resources.

Litter selection is one of the largest health issues for cats and cat owners. All clay and clumping clay cat litters are made from bentonite clay, a non-biodegradable substance that requires environment-damaging strip mining to acquire. The health issue involves the silica dust produced by this substance. Have you ever noticed the large cloud of dust that is produced when you pour a bag of clay litter into the litter box? Most people don’t think this poses a threat, but in actuality silica is listed as a carcinogen!

When cats clean themselves, they ingest particles of litter that have stuck to their paws. Because clay is non-biodegradable, it can build up in the digestive system of a cat, and cause obstruction as severe as complete blockage. Veterinarians also recommend avoiding clay litter after feline surgery, as the litter can infect the wound.

Veterinarians recommend the use of litters such as Feline Pine® to avoid these negative health issues. Feline Pine® is 100% natural, biodegradable pine that has been heated and pressurized to remove any harmful wood oils. It is not only silica dust free, but is proven to have the least dust, in general! The size of the pellets decreases the chance of feline ingestion, and has absolutely no unhealthy contents or qualities. The message is simple: healthy home, healthy cat.