How My Soft Princess Phinxy Inspired the Cat Litter I Couldn’t Find (So I Made It)

If you’ve ever scooped your cat’s litter box and thought,

“Why is this so sticky and dusty and just… ugh,”
Hi. Same.

This story starts with my cat, Phinxy—my Abyssinian queen with the softest fur and sweetest little princess energy. She may not speak human, but she’s very expressive. Especially when the litter is dusty or smells like fake “alpine breeze.”

Why Every Litter Left Us Frustrated

I tried to give her the best. I went through all the options—clay, crystal, pine, wheat, paper. Every time I hoped, “maybe this is the one.”

But no matter the brand, there was always a problem:

• The clumps would stick to the scoop or bottom of the box like glue

• The entire tray would get dusty or mushy after a few days

• Dust filled the air every time I scooped

• Phinxy and I were both sneezing... and not in the cute way

And here’s something I realized:
Even the litters that seemed natural or eco-friendly—like pine, paper, and crystal—weren’t perfect.

Over time, many of these break down into fine particles that turn into dust or mush, especially with regular use.
They also don’t clump properly, so when you scoop, it’s hard to tell what’s clean and what’s used. You end up dumping out the whole tray… which feels wasteful, messy, and expensive.

I kept thinking:

“Why can’t cat litter just be clean, simple, and truly cat-friendly?”

 

What I Discovered While Searching for the Best Cat Litter

I finally decided: If I couldn’t find a cat litter that worked for us… I’d make it myself.

I dove headfirst into the world of clumping formulas, odor control, and material testing. I contacted 6 manufacturers, determined to find one that could meet my (and Phinxy’s) high standards.

Then I discovered something unexpected:

Some of these factories actually make litter for major household brands.
At first, I was excited. But then I learned the truth:

The Dirty Secret: Not All Litter from Big Brands Is Created Equal

There are different “quality levels” of litter—even within the same factory.

Some brands choose cheaper blends, extra fillers, or lower-grade clumping agents just to keep both their costs and retail prices low. What ends up in the bag often shows whether a brand cares more about selling in volume than delivering real quality.

I didn’t want to settle for the cheapest option. I wanted the best one—for Phinxy, and for every cat that deserves better.

Six Months of Testing (With Phinxy’s Royal Approval)

I spent the next six months in full litter-testing mode. I ordered samples nonstop. I scooped. I sniffed. I tracked dust levels and clump texture and how easy it was to clean. I even built a spreadsheet. Like… a big one.

I sent bags to friends and their cats and made them report back (bless them). Phinxy was the ultimate judge, of course.

Little by little, we got closer to something that worked.
Something that:

• Formed strong, clean clumps that made scooping super easy
• Didn’t stick to the scoop or bottom of the box like glue
• Was truly low-dust—no sneezing fits, no cloudy mess
• Used natural, gentle ingredients that are even safe if your cat accidentally ingests a little while grooming

That’s when I knew: we had it.

As a Designer, I Knew It Had to Look Good Too

I didn’t just want to make great litter—I wanted it to feel beautiful, too.

As a designer, I care deeply about how things look, feel, and live in your space. Most cat litter packaging is loud, cluttered, and honestly kind of ugly. I wanted to create something calm, clean, and elevated—something you wouldn’t feel the need to hide in a cabinet.

So I designed packaging that feels more like home essentials than pet aisle chaos.

 

Meet Furphawl Cat Litter—The Litter I Made for My Cat (and Yours)

This isn’t just a business. It’s a cat mom on a mission.
To make a litter that actually works and feels good to use every day.

• Low dust (like really low)
• Fragrance-free (because cats hate fake smells)
• Clumps that scoop cleanly
• Packaging you won’t want to hide
• Gentle on cats, easy for humans

Whether your cat is a sensitive princess like Phinxy or just deserves better , this litter was made for both of you.

Ready for Cleaner, Happier Litter Days?

If you’ve ever sneezed while scooping, scrubbed the bottom of the litter box like it was a crime scene, or thought “ugh, this again” every time you bought litter…

You are so my kind of person.
And this litter was made for you.

💌 Sign up below for early access, launch-day deals, and cute updates from me + Phinxy (our CCO—Chief Clumping Officer).

Thanks for being here. We’re just getting started.
Love,
Lareina & Phinxy 🐱