When I was searching for a better litter box setup for Zakk, I stumbled across something that actually made sense—a system that uses natural pine pellets instead of traditional litter. Cats can be picky about texture, and I wanted something Zakk would actually use without tracking half of it through the house.
The Setup I Use
I use the Breeze XL litter box with pine pellets. I get the pellets from Tractor Supply. The box itself is sturdy, heavy-duty plastic with a good-sized entry and no lid—plenty of open space for a larger cat. It’s pricier than basic litter boxes, but I figured it’s a one-time investment.
The pellets, on the other hand, are incredibly cheap, which balances things out since you’re not constantly buying expensive litter.
You’ll also need pee pads for the bottom tray. I buy them in bulk on Amazon either the regular or charcoal ones (22″x22″ size)— they’re inexpensive and last a long time.
How I Set It Up
I ditched the pellets that came with the Breeze system (too artificial) and the included pee pads which were too small.
Here’s what I do instead:
- I use large pee pads (22″ x 22″ size) in the bottom tray that extend beyond the grates so I can easily grab the corners when it’s time to change them.
- I actually double up on pads—if I wait a bit too long or Zakk’s drinking more water than usual, the backup pad prevents any wetness from reaching the tray.
- When I remove the top pad, if the bottom one’s still dry, I leave it and just add a fresh one underneath.
The scoop that comes with the system works perfectly—the slots are sized just right to let pellets fall through while catching waste.
I do also have a heavy duty metal scoop which makes it easier to shift the pellets around after removing waste.
How It Works
When your cat pees on the pine pellets, they disintegrate into sawdust. The sawdust falls through the grates onto the pee pad below, leaving fresh pellets on top. To keep the box fresh, just shift the pellets around with the scoop—this encourages any sawdust to fall through the grates.
Why I Like this Setup
- Large size with high sides gives Zakk plenty of room without pellets flying everywhere
- Pine pellets are 100% natural—no chemicals
- Fresh litter after every scoop since sawdust sifts through the grates
- Box stays cleaner longer
- Quick to maintain with minimal actual cleaning
- Just add pellets as the level drops—never need to dump everything out
- Eliminates cat urine smell
- Dust-free, no tracking
- Pine pellets cost way less than traditional litter
- Works well for multiple cats if you scoop regularly (I have a friend also using this set up her 7 cats)
The Drawbacks
- The Breeze XL box costs more upfront than basic boxes
- Some cats might need time to adjust to the pellet texture
- Need to buy pee pads regularly
- You’ll want a heavy-duty metal scoop for shifting pellets (the plastic ones don’t hold up)
Does It Actually Work?
This is the best litter box solution I’ve found for Zakk. He has plenty of room to move around, and the high walls keep most pellets contained. Any that escape just get tossed back in. The pine pellets completely eliminate urine smell, create zero dust, and nothing gets tracked through the house.
Most importantly, it’s a natural solution without chemicals—better for both of us.
The box and heavy-duty scoop are one-time purchases I was happy to make. The ongoing costs for pellets and pee pads end up being less than what I’d spend on traditional litter anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do pee pads need changing?
It varies by cat. When you see sawdust building up at the top of the grates, it’s time. With one cat, you can usually go close to a week.
Are there any additional accessories needed for this litter box setup?
You’ll need pee pads (easy to find on Amazon) and I’d recommend getting a heavy-duty metal litter scoop—it makes shifting pellets much easier. I also keep a washing machine drain pan under a box to catch stray pellets, but that’s optional.
Does this work for small or medium cats?
Yes, the extra room and high sides of the Breeze XL litter box work well for any size cat and help minimize tracking.
Can the Breeze XL system be used for kittens or senior cats?
Yes, it works fine as long as they can step up into the box—the entry is about 5.75″ from the floor.
