After moving to the United States, Kristina Drobachevskaia noticed her cat Paco dealing with recurring respiratory problems. She began to question whether traditional clay litter, which often produces fine dust, played a role. That question led her into a long stretch of trial and error with existing alternatives. Many reduced dust but introduced other tradeoffs, especially with clumping and odor control. She started to look for a different base material.
Her research moved outside the pet aisle and into agriculture. In olive oil production, pits are separated from the fruit and treated as waste. When dried and processed, those pits have a porous structure that can absorb moisture. That property made them a candidate for litter.
Drobachevskaia spent about two years developing a formula that combined ground olive pits with a small number of plant-based binders to support clumping. The goal was to create a product that behaved like clumping litter while avoiding the dust associated with clay. That process led to the launch of Paco & Pepper, named after her cat. The company operates as a small, woman-owned business and sells primarily through its own website, along with select retail channels.
The product itself is built around a short ingredient list. Olive pits provide the bulk of the material. Olive oil is included in small amounts, and guar gum acts as a binder to support clumping. The company positions the material as an alternative to clay and silica litters, which rely on mined inputs. Production follows a straightforward sequence. Olive pits are separated during food processing, then dried and ground. The material is blended with other components and formed into granules suitable for litter boxes. The finished product is lighter than standard clay litter and is sold in multiple bag sizes.
From the start, the business has stayed focused on a single core product category. In addition to litter, Paco & Pepper offers a small set of related items such as scoops, mats, and waste bags. The company also uses a direct-to-consumer model with subscription options for repeat orders.
