Can you compost cat litter?

Forget-me-Not · Can you compost cat litter?

We are using the Thomas one in yellow bag, says completely natural but not what it is. Phoned the line and they said natural clays, they said it would take a long time to compost and may slow the rest down or to bury but not near veg patch.

They may know best but they may be coming from the less knowledgeable view point.

Has anybody tried?

I'd flush the poos, until get greencone next month for pet waste etc.

Beth

Smooth Hound

i tried it, but it didnt compost too well, i shant put it on again,

smelly stuff

Forget-me-Not · Cat litter

Thanks Smmoth and thanks for the TV too, it's a great help

Beth

lachlanandmarcus

If its any help I have a large unused and unopened bag of eco friendly cat litter, got it for the stable cats when they had to be shut in for a while when they first arrived, but didnt use this bag before they made their great escape (but thankfully they did stick around and fulfil their brief re rodents

)

Could bring it to the next Neeps meet if it is useful to anyone. Cat litter isnt cheap stuff so it might be a help.

Sassinak

Be careful flushing the poos if you have a septic tank.
A friend had to have a very expensive plumbers visit to unblock the pipe where the cat litter adhered to the poos had congealed on the side of the pipe, narrowing it and eventually caused a blockage

pete_inthehills

Pete puts his geochemist hat on.

ah, this sounds something like fuller's earth or some other absorbant clay. Basically, its tiny silicate plates lying on top of one another with other chemicals such as magnesium or calcium between them. Basically what happens is that the separation of the silicate plates increases as they absorb the gas/liquids. My memory is a bit rusty 'cos its been over 10 years since I studied geochemistry.

Think of it as modelling clay. You wouldn't try and compost that, but you could just dig it in to the ground and it might help with soil structure.

I'd scoop out the poo's and dispose of them elsewhere. Its probably safe to dig a deepish hole and stick them in there, covering them with a bit of soil each time. But the cat litter itself can just be dug in to the ground.

pete
inthehills

Forget-me-Not · Cat litter

Wow L&M that would be great, thank you!!! Let me know when you're meeting up and I'll try and get there or arrange a middle man.

Thankfully not got a sceptic but I've been shaking the litter off the poo with a sieve type scoop first. (The joys of kittenhood!)

Beth

Smooth Hound

so eithr a small sprinkle in the compost between layers, or dig it in the bed, maybe they will smell it and learn to go outside to the toilet

i cant stand litter trays round the house

its alright in yours

but not in mine

Forget-me-Not · Cat litter

I think sprinkling between layers would be good. I think it's Bob Flowerdew that puts litter trays out to keep cats off beds. This won't be permanent, he'll use the cat flap with the boys later but he's only 8 weeks and a little small because of his start, so will be inside for a while. He's worth it!

Beth

Forget-me-Not · Cat Litter

Wow Pete!!!!

Thanks, very impressed and I understand perfectly.

Beth

Maidenstone

Where is the Master Composter when we need him? I have always been told that you should never compost cat or dog poo, carnivore poo. It is OK to compost rabbit and guinea pig poo etc., but not cats and dogs. It would probably be all right to use it with humanure from composting loos, which should only be put on ornamentals or trees and not on food crops. Aren't there special dog cones that should be buried in the ground for disposing of this delightful matter?

Forget-me-Not · Cat litter

You can get dog toilet ones. I was never planning to compost the poo, just the litter but going to buy a green cone next month and put our dog poo in there with food stuffs. I put the guineas and chook waste on the ompost heaps though.

Beth

lachlanandmarcus · Re: Cat litter

Forget-me-Not · Eeeek foot right in it!!!

Was just pottering about and went back to Arthur thread. (He's doing great.) I read your post wrong!!!! Read it as in offer to me, as had started post, as opposed to, offer to anyone!!!!

SORRY! Didn't mean to be cheeky there. Am mortified!

Shouldn't read so fast

Beth

lady demonika

veg eaters poop is ok for composting but stuff like cat litter tray contents and dog poop should never be put on compost heap where the end product is going to be used on edible veg because of the risk of various parasites and nasties.
(seemingly) you can put in animal poop in if you are using the hot compost method.

kimmie

you can get special cat litter that is compostable, but you have to take the solids out first, we use one for our cat thats compressed sawdust, and sometimes we get the compressed paper ones, a lot easier to dispose of

Sassinak

I've found the sawdust ones make the cat leave loads of little sawdusty footprints on the carpet when they get out

lachlanandmarcus · Re: Cat litter

Can you compost cat litter?

Cat litter

Cat litter

Cat litter

Cat Litter

Cat litter

Re: Cat litter

Eeeek foot right in it!!!

Re: Cat litter