2026.09.03Pet Supplies

I Switched from Tofu-Based to Mineral-Based Cat Litter— I Couldn't Take the Stench, So I Gave Up on Going Organic

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In this article, I share my experience switching from tofu-based cat litter to LION’s mineral-based (bentonite) cat litter, “ニオイをとる砂,” focusing on the two biggest changes—odor and clumping—while also being honest about what still bothers me.

I used to worry not only about my cat’s health but my own as well. I put my faith in organic (natural) materials and chose tofu-based litter, thinking, “If it’s made from natural materials, it should be safe for both cats and people.” But the stench from the waste was so strong that eventually I just couldn’t take it anymore. The smell was overpowering with a tray-style litter box, of course, and the odor problem continued even after I switched to an automatic litter box (Why I Can’t Live Without My Cat’s Automatic Litter Box). Because my house is especially airtight and odors tend to linger, the problem was even worse. Through hot summers and cold winters alike, I had no choice but to air out the house and let the climate-controlled air escape.

So I figured it was worth a shot and switched to the mineral-based (bentonite) litter I’d been hearing so much about. I chose LION’s “ニオイをとる砂.” Honestly, I was surprised that changing the cat litter alone could make this much of a difference.
* Information as of September 2026.

How the Odor Changed

After switching to mineral-based litter, I noticed an enormous difference in odor control. The stench from the waste that had bothered me with tofu-based litter was no longer noticeable, and the way the odor lingered was completely different. The manufacturer’s product description says its “triple deodorizing granules” work against the acidic odor of feces and the alkaline odor of urine. I haven’t verified the effects of each mechanism myself, but at least in my home, the difference after switching was clear.

Even softer poop firms up properly. This is only my guess, but I think the litter probably draws out the moisture, which keeps the stench from developing the way it used to. Since switching to mineral-based litter, the waste hasn’t rotted, and I haven’t had bugs breeding in it either.

Clumping and No More Stickiness

The biggest difference of all was how well it absorbed liquid, and the stickiness I’d dealt with before was gone. Wet spots clump right away, so my PetSnowy automatic litter box can handle them without any problems. When I was getting my cat used to the automatic litter box, I sprinkled in some of the litter we’d been using to give it the familiar scent.

That doesn’t mean I have no complaints. Grains of litter get caught between my cat’s toes, carried out of the box, and scattered here and there around the litter box. Mineral-based cat litter might not be for people who are bothered by this kind of tracking. It bothers me too, but getting rid of the odor and stickiness mattered much more.

Summary

I originally chose tofu-based litter because I was concerned about both my cat’s health and my own and wanted to go the organic route, but the stench from the waste was too much for me, and I couldn’t keep using it. After I switched to the mineral-based “ニオイをとる砂,” both the way the odor lingered and the way the litter clumped changed dramatically, and I no longer had to worry about rotting waste or bugs. The litter grains do scatter around, but for me, the trade-off was more than worth it.