But according to Dr. Jennifer Taketani, veterinarian and medical director at Corona Del Mar Animal Hospital, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, tofu litter isn’t actually made of tofu but what is left over from its manufacturing. This includes food-grade byproducts such as soy, pea and cornstarch, which make the litter all-natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and even flushable.  

“Most cats are smart enough not to eat litter in general, but if they do, no worries with this product,” Taketani said.

First developed and patented in Japan in 1995, Taketani said that soy or pea fibers absorb liquid and bind with natural starches to form a solid clump around urine or feces, which can then be easily removed, leaving cleaner litter and a reduced chance of conditions like urinary tract infections for your cat.

“[The] clumping ability seems similar to that of clay litter,” she said, adding that “Tofu litter claims to be better at odor neutralization than traditional litter, as it traps odors without strong artificial scents.”

One Amazon customer who claims to work in veterinary medicine and made the switch to tofu litter called it a “game-changer” and was shocked when, by the third day of no scooping, they still couldn’t smell a thing — a stark contrast from the clay litter they had been using.

According to Taketani, “This litter is also ultra-low dust, improving indoor air quality and respiratory health for cats and their people.” She attributes the reduced dust production to the shape of tofu litter, which typically resembles pellets rather than granules. This also means no dusty paw prints tracked around the house.

And good news for those of us who have a difficult time lugging around 40-pound boxes of bentonite clay-based litters, many tofu-based litters promise to be lighter weight than traditional formulas.