Product Review and Giveaway: World's Best Cat Litter-Forest Scent

After careful consideration, from time to time I write product reviews. If you see it here, it's because, at LEAST I think it's worth you knowing about even if I have an issue with it and, at BEST, I think it's amazing and we should all have one, two or more of whatever it is I'm reviewing. I get NO reimbursement for writing these reviews, though to write a review I am supplied with the item, as I was in this case. This review is MY OPINION, ONLY. The result you experience using this product may differ.

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As a Catvocate for World’s Best Cat Litter,™ I'm given access to new products before they reach the marketplace. I get no compensation for doing this, but because I use WBCL for both my own cats and the foster cats of my rescue group, Kitten Associates, I'm glad to have a chance to test drive their new litter.

©2013 Robin A.F. Olson. Fred investigates the new litter. Will he or won't he use it?

World's Best Cat Litter™ has introduced Forest Scented – the ONLY clumping litter that pairs the absorbency of whole-kernel corn with the fresh scent of 100% natural woods fibers.

They don't treat the litter with a chemical fragrance, it occurs naturally in the product, itself. Using wood fibers derived from maple, ponderosa pine, oak, spruce, southern yellow pine and cedar, it creates a natural forest scent. The wood is a renewable by-product that might otherwise go to waste, so you don't have to be concerned that trees are getting mowed down to make cat litter. The corn comes from farms in the United States.

Right out of the bag, I admit the scent was VERY STRONG, but once in the pan, the intensity diminishes after a short time when it's exposed to air. As I poured the contents out, I didn't notice any clouds of dust coming off it—something I'm very concerned about. It has a pleasing color and pebbly texture.

I did a test using 1/2 pan Forest Scent, along side the World's Best Cat Litter™ for multi-cat households on the other 1/2 pan. Our five foster kittens ran over to the pan and began sniffing at the litter. One of them scratched on the floor, as if he was burying his food, indicating to me he didn't care for the aroma. Oops!

Two other cats sniffed at it and walked away. I was surprised since new litter usually means one of the cats must use it before the others get a chance. I lifted two of the cats and placed them into the pan. They ran out, but that doesn't indicate a preference, they may not have needed to use the pan at that time. In this informal test, the cats paid no heed to the new litter and returned to playing.

©2013 Robin A.F. Olson. Multi-Cat Clumping (rear), Forest Scent (forward).

I checked the pan a few times over the next hour or so and there was no activity on the Forest Scent side and very little on the other side of the pan. It took a few hours, but sure enough one of the kittens used the Forest Scent. I scooped it out and noticed it held a clump very nicely. With my twisted sense of humor, I thought it looked a bit too much like a Rice Krispie Treat, but otherwise it did a very good job clumping.

©2013 Robin A.F. Olson. Excellent clump-ability (it's not a crisped rice treat!)

Over the next day the litter was used. I didn't notice any particular issues with the Forest Scented or any failure in odor control. I feed our foster cats a grain free diet of canned food only, so their output doesn't tend to have much of a problematic aroma. The good thing was that I didn't smell cat litter pan when I walked into the room. Once in awhile I got a whiff of pine, but it was very subtle and I noticed it more when I scooped the pan or when I refreshed the litter.

©2013 Robin A.F. Olson. Coco takes a sniff.

World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Scented comes in three sizes: 6 lb, 12 lb and 24 lb bags at the following Suggested Retail Price of:
$8.99 for 6 lb,

$17.49 for 12 lb
and $31.99 for 24 lb.

This litter is not inexpensive, in fact it's even a bit more costly per pound than World's Best Cat Litter™ Multi-Cat Clumping. What may sway consumers is the naturally occurring fragrance and because it's a blend of wood and corn, there is less chance that the cat will be tempted to ingest the litter—which has been a concern for some folks who previously tried the corn-only based litter.

What I find worth the expense is that World's Best Cat Litter™ does seem to last longer than traditional clumping litters made out of clay. Also, World's Best Cat Litter™ is not dusty and if there IS any dust it's not like the glue you can get from clay based litters that sticks to everything and is so tough to clean up—that stuff is NASTY—as anyone who uses it will attest.

I also worry that our kittens will be licking their paws and I'd rather they lick corn than clay that's full of chemicals.

©2013 Robin A.F. Olson. Coco with her new bag of World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Scented.

That said there IS a warning on the bag of World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Scented that I will quote from their promotional information: “As with other wood-based litter, World’s Best Cat Litter™ included the following CA Prop 65 warning on the bags. WARNING: This product contains wood dust, which is known in the State of California to cause cancer.Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal protection”

Am I going to run screaming from my litter pan after pouring out some litter? No. Considering how dreadful silica dust is in comparison, I don't have a great concern over there being wood in the new litter for myself or the cats. I would, however use common sense especially if I had allergies or asthma and I'd wear a mask, just to be safe. You'd want to do that with ANY cat litter if you have any health issues with your lungs or sinuses, but there's no need for fear-mongering because there's a warning label on the bag.

I've been using World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Scented with my foster cats for over a week. They use it without any issue. I don't notice any odors so it's either working or the cats aren't smelly. It clumps cleanly and has lasted to the point of not needing to be refreshed just yet. I scoop the pan twice a day, but even if I only scooped once, I don't believe I'd have an issue with odor.

Although I'm perfectly happy with World's Best Cat Litter™ Multi-Cat Clumping litter, if I wanted a pine scent, I'd use Forest Scented. I like the way this litter clumps, but ultimately it's up to my cats. If they use it and it's not a dusty mess or gives them “concrete booties” if they get wet litter on their paws, then I'm all for it.

World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Scented will be available in stores nationwide beginning April 1, 2013 (and no, that is NOT an April Fool's Joke!) Click HERE to find a retailer near you.

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If you'd like to WIN a coupon for a 6 lb bag, of World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Clumping simply leave a comment in this post to enter and tell me why you'd like a Forest Scented litter.

Best FIVE entries as Judged by me, Robin Olson of Covered in Cat Hair, will win a coupon for a FREE 6 lb bag of World's Best Cat Litter™ Forest Clumping. You may only leave ONE comment for ONE CHANCE to win per person. This Giveaway ends FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 at 11:11 PM EST and is open to residents of the USA, only (sorry guys!). Rules, quantities and whatever else I forgot are subject to change without notice.

3.20.13 UPDATE:

Guess what? World's Best Cat Litter is UPPING the PRIZE I'll be giving away to FIVE LUCKY WINNERS! Instead of a coupon for a 6 lb bag, they're going to ship out TWO, 6 lb bags to EACH WINNER! Yeehaw!!!