Cat litter - disposal

no1catman

On the cat litter packaging, especially those that could be biodegradable - it advises disposal via household rubbish. And cautions against - garden disposal, because certain bacteria from cats that could be spread.


But then it got me thinking, what's the difference between me burying the 'used' cat litter e.g. wood pellets, and the cat going out herself, and making her deposits in the garden and covering up afterwards!?


I know in the past, I've dug in the disintegrated pellets, in my previous very small garden - the dahlias seemed to like it. While, when it's open my cat can sometimes be seen going in the greenhouse.


So just what is the difference, or is it just a case of - they are obliged to quote that advice?

FreeBear

Cats can be carriers of the Toxoplasma parasite which can cause problems for pregnant women. The parasite is found in the feaces which, if buried in soil, can be transfered to root vegetables and/or picked up by animals (and humans) rooting around in the soil. Cat litter can also be a source of Salmonellla, E. coli, and other bacteria.

Some would say that used cat litter should be treated as bio-hazard waste and should either be incinerated or buried in landfill. But as you point out, cats will routinely bury their waste in any convenient patch of soil. If your (cat) litter is biodegradable, I'd carry on composting it and/or spreading it around the flower borders - That is what I've been doing for the last few years.

If you have a wood stove or open fire, you could use the pellets as fuel - Spread them out to dry off a bit then burn them. I've recently had a wood burner installed and also use wood chips/saw dust for the litter tray. The stuff burns quite well, and it makes sense to get double the usage out of it.

If you are using Fullers Earth, Bentonite Clay, or a water absorbent gel, then it wants to go to landfill.

P.S. Rice Krispies do not make a very good substitute for kitty litter

no1catman

Thanks, interesting - so no problem for dwarf beans and tomatoes, in the greenhouse , but steer clear of potatoes, carrots, beetroot etc.

FreeBear

Root vegetables, as long as they are well scrubbed and cooked shouldn't be a problem. If there are other cats in the area, chances are they will be depositing in your garden and there isn't much you can do about it.

There is probably Toxoplasma parasites in your soil already (along with any number of other parasites & bacteria). As long as you aren't OCD about such issues, don't worry about it.

weedee

I know many people will not agree with me ,but I flush wood pellet cat litter down the loo. I only use about 8 handfuls in the litter tray. I flush it down in 2 lots and I have never had any problems with blocked drains. Nor have my neighbours.Also, I buy the litter in Home Bargains or B&M and it costs £2.99 for 15 litres.

FreeBear

weedee wrote: »

I buy the [wood pellet] litter in Home Bargains or B&M and it costs £2.99 for 15 litres.

Had a look in B&M on my way in to work - They only had 30 litre bags on the shelf, and it is difficult to compare prices with other retailers that sell it in 10Kg bags.

Could you do me a favour and weigh a full bag and post up the weight.

weedee

The weight on the bag says 15 litres.B&M did not have the 30 litre bags when I was in.I have bought them before.In Tesco or Morrisons cat litter is about £3for 10 litres, so far cheaper to buy in B&M or Home Essentials.Hope this helps

weedee

Sorry I thought I had replied to you.Must have pressed the wrong button.I weighed the 15 litres and it is 8 kilos. It seems far bigger than the 10 kilo bags in Tesco and I much prefer these pellets to the Tesco or Morrisons ones. I would recommend them to you and they last longer too. When used, flush them down the loo. If you have not done this before, try 3 or 4 scoopfuls first and if that flushes away easily then continue doing this. I find it far cleaner than putting it in the dustbin which is emptied every 2 weeks

FreeBear

weedee wrote: »

I weighed the 15 litres and it is 8 kilos.

When used, flush them down the loo. If you have not done this before, try 3 or 4 scoopfuls first and if that flushes away easily then continue doing this. I find it far cleaner than putting it in the dustbin which is emptied every 2 weeks

At £3 for 8Kg, it works out quite a bit cheaper than the last place I bought wood pellets - Thanks for weighing the bag.

As for flushing down the loo - The Toxoplasma parasite is not killed by the waste treatment plant and will eventually end up in the environment. If the waste water is pumped out to sea, the parasite will end up being eaten by crabs and bottom feeding shellfish (along with other sea animals). Once back in the food chain, they could end up on your plate.

In addition, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the particles of wood combined with fat & grease in the sewer pipes compounding the problem with fatburgs.

Please consider using the wood pellets as a mulch on the flower borders or putting them in the green waste bin - If they are composted, the high temperatures involved in the process will kill off any Toxoplasma parasites.

Alternatively, if you have an open fire or a wood stove, burn it.

weedee

Never thought to put them in the compost bin.Will the urine in the sawdust not damage my plants if I use it as mulch? Will definitely change and do as you suggest.only flushed it down the loo as it was easier than putting it in a bag and going out to the household bin and with the bins being emptied every 2 weeks thought it would smell.I will continue to flush away the poo.I presume that is OK .Please let me know if the sawdust is OK for my plants and thanks for the info.I did not realise I was doing anything wrong

FreeBear

The urine will help to break down the sawdust (pellets) in to usable nutrients for the plants - If you do composting, many recommend recycled beer as an aid.

I compost my cat litter during the summer months, poo included. During the colder periods, it gets burnt in the wood stove.