Firstly, let me introduce you to Albie, our one-year-old cat. He also answers to many other names: Albus, Albus Dumble-cat, Alfred, Albert, Alberto, Alb and Albachino. In upcoming posts, you’ll find out why we consider him one of our official eco-cats.
This is him — and yes, I’m biased, but isn’t he the cutest?
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
How Albie Became Part of Our Family
A couple of weeks before Christmas 2022, we took in a cat and her two kittens. Sadly, after four weeks of hand-rearing, constant vet visits, and a last-ditch attempt to save her with a trip to Luton, we lost one of the kittens.
But our little miracle, Albie, survived — and once that happened, there was no way he wasn’t staying with us.
Bluebell, Albie’s mum, originally belonged to my brother and came to live with us around seven months ago. Bluebell and Albie look almost identical, with two key differences:
- Albie is twice Bluebell’s size
- Bluebell has a full white moustache, while Albie only has half
Bluebell is also completely obsessed with Cath — who, ironically, is not a cat person at all.
(Bluebell later went on to live with a close friend of ours once Albie was weaned.)
Why Eco-Friendly Pet Products Matter
Once the introductions were out of the way, it was time to talk about something very close to our hearts: eco-friendly pet products.
I’d had some experience with cats before, but Cath hadn’t. Still, she was keen to extend our low-waste, eco-conscious lifestyle to include our new feline family member. Pet ownership can come with a surprising amount of plastic and waste, so we wanted to make thoughtful choices right from the start.
Our goal wasn’t perfection — just better choices where we could.
Eco Cat Toy Review: The Wooden Ball Track
When we decided to keep Albie, we went shopping for essentials with sustainability in mind. One of the first items Cath chose was a wooden ball track toy from the Pets at Home nature range.
The main structure is made from wood, with sisal in the centre — no batteries, no flashing lights, and no flimsy plastic.
At first, I wasn’t sure Albie would even play with it. He was only four weeks old at the time. But he absolutely loved it.
He didn’t quite know how to play at first and would sit in the middle, poking his paws through the gaps. Within a few days, though, he’d worked it out. Soon, he was hiding behind the cat tree and pouncing on the balls with great enthusiasm.
What really impressed us was how sturdy it was. This toy has:
- Survived very heavy dogs standing on it
- Been shared by cats and dogs
- Withstood years of daily play
Bobbin (our medium-sized dog) once tried to stick her nose into it and got it stuck — she’s been cautious ever since. Probably for the best, as it gives everyone else a chance! Purl and Rainbow happily play alongside Albie with it too. It’s truly a multi-pet hit.
What Didn’t Work: Our Catnip Expectations
We also bought some eco-friendly catnip to sprinkle on Albie’s bed and toys. I had very high expectations after watching countless videos of cats going wild for it.
Unfortunately… neither Albie nor Bluebell cared in the slightest.
At the time, it felt like a complete waste, and I was genuinely disappointed. It turns out our cats just weren’t interested — at least not then.
2025 Update: A True Test of Sustainability
Fast-forward to 2025, several years after I originally started writing this post.
Albie now LOVES catnip — so yes, there is hope!
Even better, that wooden ball toy is still going strong. It has:
- Survived Bobbin trying to eat it
- Endured Bambi sitting on it
- Made it through a house move in March 2025
In fact, it was the last thing packed and the first thing unpacked when we moved to Aberdeenshire. That alone tells you how well loved it is.
As for Bluebell, she’s now very happy in her new home in Wales with our friend Megan.
Key Takeaways for Eco-Conscious Pet Owners
- Sustainable pet products don’t have to be boring
- Durability is one of the most important eco features
- Natural materials often last far longer than plastic
- Not every “eco” product will work for every pet — and that’s okay
If you’re trying to make more sustainable choices for your pets, start small. One toy. One swap. One better decision at a time.
Have you found any eco-friendly pet products that have actually lasted? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Key Takeaways
- The article introduces Albie, a one-year-old cat, and discusses how he became part of the family alongside Bluebell, his mother.
- The focus on ‘eco cats’ led to the selection of earth-friendly cat products, including a durable wooden ball toy and eco-friendly catnip.
- Albie enjoyed the wooden toy, learning to play with it quickly, and it withstood the test of time and play with other pets.
- Despite initial indifference, Albie eventually loved catnip by 2025, and the ball toy remained a favourite throughout their house move.
- The journey highlights the importance of choosing sustainable products for pets and the fun they bring to the household.
