Yep, they may be the world's most independent creatures, often scornful, superior, unpredictable, and affectionate only when it comes down to the tuna, but we still love our cats. Here are five products for a tree-hugging kitty.
1) BioBag Cat Box Liners
The biodegradable bag revolution is underway, and that means the litter box can get one too. Mess-free BioBag cat box liners break down in eight to 14 months and are 100 percent compostable (just don't throw the compost on your vegetable garden, due to the toxins in the kitty poo).
2) World's Best Cat Litter
Scary fact: That bag of clay litter you pick up at the grocery store is the result of strip mining. Are we really using up our natural resources and destroying ecosystems for kitty's toilet? The clay is also often full of nasty toxins, that when licked off can cause serious health problems. Made from whole-kernel corn, World's Best Cat Litter is 99 percent dust free, compostable, and naturally sucks up those stinky smells without the harmful chemicals or perfumes.
3) CatGenie, The Self-flushing Cat Box
Or, you can just do away with litter entirely -- no need to compost or send to landfill -- and make a robotic slave do the job. Sound like a dream come true? Catgenie, the self-flushing cat box hooks up to your water supply and works with permanent washable granules. An automatic scoop makes waste disappear like magic and water freshens up the litter so you never have to throw it away.
4) Organic Cat Food: Newman's Own Organics Chicken and Brown Rice
More often than not, Cat food is grade D meat...that would be D for animals that are Dead, Dying, Disabled, or Diseased..not so appetizing to think about. Do you really want kitty to eat what you wouldn't touch in a million years? Try Newman's Own Organics Chicken and Brown Rice Cat Food and say no thanks to growth hormones, antibiotics, steroids, chemical additives, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, and dyes. Newman's is 100 percent natural and packed full of the amino acids necessary for for muscles, hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and structural and protective tissues. The company also has certified- organic manufacturing facilities. Really motivated? Try making your own organic cat food.
5) Recycled Sweet Lounge Rounded Cat Scratcher
Who knew cat scratchers could be so slick? For the design-savvy cat, the Recycled Sweet Lounge Rounded Cat Scratcher is made from 35 percent minimum recycled content and non-toxic adhesive. Plus, it can survive a beating from kitty's claws thanks to the heavy weight inner-corrugate.
More From Mairi Beautyman on Huffington Post
::Terrorists or Heroes? Sea Shepherd Fights for Marine Life
::Does Terrorism Make us Travel Greener?
::Four Organic Ways to Kill Ants
::Two Uncomplicated Reasons to Choose Organic Eggs and Milk
::Do you Really Need a Dryer?
More From TreeHugger on Cats
::Pets: Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
::Beijing's Cat Death Camps
::Reduce Your Cat's Carbon Paw Print With CatGenie
::Fat Cat Big Mama's Scratchy Box
::Eco-tip: Pine cones make good cat toys
Photo: Greencolander via Flickr