The short answer: For most Australian cat owners, plant-based cat litter is the best choice. It controls odour better than clay, clumps more effectively than tofu litter, and is gentle enough that even if your cat licks it off their paws, it won't harm them.
Why Cat Litter Choice Matters More Than You Think
Most cat owners pick up whatever litter is on sale at the supermarket without giving it much thought. But the type of litter you use affects your cat's health, your home's cleanliness, and — critically — whether your cat actually wants to use their litter box at all.
Cats are famously fussy. If they don't like their litter, they'll find somewhere else to go. And the consequences of that are something no cat owner wants to deal with.
Here's an honest breakdown of the three main types of cat litter available in Australia — and why plant-based litter is increasingly becoming the choice of serious cat owners.
Clay Litter and Clumping Sand: The Hidden Problems
Clay litter and clumping sand are the most widely available options in Australia. They're cheap, they're everywhere, and they work — to a point.
But there are two serious problems that most packaging won't tell you about.
Problem 1: It sticks. Everywhere. Clay and clumping sand sticks to the bottom of the litter box, sticks to the scoop, and — most importantly — sticks to your cat's paws. Every time your cat uses the litter box, fine particles of clay attach to their feet. And cats lick their paws constantly. That means clay particles are being ingested every single day. Over time, this is a genuine health concern that most vets don't discuss enough.
Problem 2: Stepping on it is painful. Cats track litter out of the box. With clay and clumping sand, those tracked particles feel like tiny rocks underfoot. For your cat, who walks on this every day, it's the equivalent of constantly stepping on gravel. For you, it's like stepping on a Lego — every single morning.
Tofu Litter: Better, But Not Perfect
Tofu litter — made from soybean pulp — is a significant improvement over clay. It's plant-based, biodegradable, and safe if accidentally ingested. If a small amount ends up in your cat's stomach, it won't cause harm.
But tofu litter has two significant drawbacks that don't get talked about enough.
Drawback 1: It sticks to the bottom of the litter box. Not as aggressively as clay, but enough to make cleaning frustrating. The tracked particles, while softer than clay, still feel unpleasant underfoot — somewhere between stepping on wet sand and stepping on small pebbles.
Drawback 2: The "flushable" claim is misleading. Tofu litter is widely marketed as flushable. But here's the reality: tofu litter requires continuous agitation for at least 12 seconds to fully dissolve in water. A standard toilet flush doesn't come close to providing that. The result? Tofu litter that doesn't fully dissolve, and a very real risk of blocked pipes.
We tested this ourselves. Unless you're prepared to manually agitate the litter in the bowl for 12 seconds before flushing — which, let's be honest, nobody does — flushing tofu litter is not something we'd recommend.
For cat owners who've switched from clay to tofu, the experience is better. But it's not the final answer.
Plant-Based Litter: Why Serious Cat Owners Are Making the Switch
Plant-based cat litter — made primarily from tapioca starch and other natural plant ingredients — addresses almost every problem that clay and tofu litter create.
Here's why it's different:
Superior odour control. The tapioca starch base has exceptional moisture-absorbing properties, locking in odour at the source rather than just masking it.
Strong clumping, easy scooping. Plant-based litter clumps firmly and cleanly, making scooping fast and efficient. No more scraping the bottom of the box.
Gentle on paws — yours and your cat's. The fine, soft granules of plant-based litter feel more like beach sand than gravel. For your cat, that means a comfortable experience every time they use the box. For you, tracked particles underfoot are barely noticeable.
Safe if ingested. Because the ingredients are entirely plant-based, small amounts ingested during grooming are harmless. This is not the case with clay litter.
What do cats actually prefer? We worked with a cat communicator to survey 10 cats currently using either tofu or plant-based litter. 8 out of 10 cats expressed a clear preference for plant-based litter. The remaining 2 — both senior cats — showed no strong preference either way.
How to Transition Your Cat to Plant-Based Litter
Cats don't always welcome change. Here's how to transition smoothly:
- Week 1: Mix 25% plant-based litter with 75% existing litter
- Week 2: Move to 50/50
- Week 3: 75% plant-based, 25% existing
- Week 4: Full switch to plant-based litter
Go slowly, watch your cat's behaviour, and never change the litter box location at the same time as changing the litter type.
Cat Litter FAQs
Is plant-based cat litter safe for cats? Yes. Plant-based cat litter made from tapioca starch and natural plant ingredients is completely safe for cats, including if small amounts are accidentally ingested during grooming.
What is the best cat litter for odour control in Australia? Plant-based cat litter consistently outperforms clay and tofu litter for odour control, thanks to the high moisture-absorbing properties of tapioca starch.
Can I flush tofu cat litter down the toilet? We don't recommend it. Tofu litter requires continuous agitation for at least 12 seconds to fully dissolve in water — far longer than a standard toilet flush. Flushing tofu litter without full dissolution creates a real risk of blocked pipes.
Is clay cat litter dangerous for cats? Clay litter particles can stick to your cat's paws and be ingested during grooming. While occasional exposure is unlikely to cause immediate harm, long-term daily ingestion is a health concern worth taking seriously.
Where can I buy plant-based cat litter in Australia? Plant-based cat litter is available online at nekono.com.au, with fast delivery across Sydney and Australia-wide. Check back soon for our latest arrivals in premium plant-based litter.