Choosing an alternative litter: step aside, clay and clumping! Today's choices include products made of paper, grain and even wood.(NOTEWORTHY)

Over the past decade, numerous products have entered the cat litter market as "alternative" litters. The chief claim of many of these litters is that they are made from plant-based or recycled materials, as opposed to clay, the basis of "traditional" kitty litters.

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Potential Benefits. As with most products or groups of products, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using alternative cat litters. One advantage that makers of these specialty litters feel appeals to cat owners with environmental concerns is that alternative litters--because they are made of biodegradable substances--present less strain on landfills. Some brands are even marketed as being "compostable" and/or burnable.

Additionally, alternative litters are made of materials that often give off little …