A method of making a non-clay based clumping pet litter can include blending a natural material； compressing the blended natural material into pellets； grinding the pellets into granules； screening the granules to obtain a predetermined size range； and applying functional additives to the sized granules. The functional additives can include a clumping agent, mineral oil, and a surfactant. The natural material can be one or more of recycled paper, corrugate, and sawdust. The functional additives can further include a fragrance oil. The clumping agent can be guar gum, and the surfactant can be a polysorbate. In another aspect, a non-clay based clumping pet litter contains granules of compacted natural material enrobed by a coating containing a clumping agent, mineral oil that adheres the clumping agent to the granules, and a surfactant.
