Instead of kitty litter

Common Tator · #1 09/16/13, 10:25 AM

My clever hubby had been scooping up some of the decomposing leaf litter from under the trees to use in the litter boxes, and it DOESN'T STINK!

We have some of the sifting litter boxes, and even after cleaning them out they were pretty nasty smelling after a few days when we used store bought litter.

But the cats don't mind the leaf litter at all, and you can't tell you are in the same room as a litter box by the smell. And it is free, so that is a big bonus!

I know that this makes living with cats more pleasant for us, and I can't help but think it is more pleasant for the cats too.

So we no longer sift. When it needs cleaning, hubby dumps it in a compost pile that won't be used for growing human food, and gets more leaf litter.

simi-steading · #2 09/16/13, 10:29 AM

Cool idea for an outdoor cat, but for an indoor cat I wouldn't... Lots of bacteria, mites, and other similar parasites. A good way for them to get worms too... Who knows, you could be bringing in some ticks with it too...

Common Tator · #3 09/16/13, 10:35 AM

We do let the cats outside during the day.

simi-steading · #4 09/16/13, 10:37 AM

Ah.. OK.. then I'd probably do it too, but my cat is strictly an indoor cat so I wouldn't with him..

Darren · #5 09/16/13, 11:08 AM

I've put the box inside a plastic bag, then put paper in the plastic covered box. Works great for declawed cats. Others .... If the plastic isn;t torn up, just dump the paper out and replace it with more.

In WV, you can dig degraded shale, dry it and use that. Ketty litter and the oil absorb stuff is a clay product originally from shale. So is the lightweight aggregate they use for floor slabs in high rises.

willow_girl · #6 09/16/13, 11:12 AM

DBF uses these in the industrial-sized litter boxes for our outdoor cats. $5.49 for a 40 lb. bag, and they work really well at controlling odor! The cats don't seem to mind them, either.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...b?cm_vc=-10005

Common Tator · #7 09/16/13, 11:29 AM

Willow Girl, I think it is the carbon absorbing the odors. Just like a sawdust toilet for humans. And just like our leaf litter. I wish we had discovered this years ago. I have seen our female kitty trying to balance on the rim of the litter box when it started to smell, even after sifting, when the box was supposedly 'clean'. Poor thing, just didn't want to step in the smelly litter. Now she jumps right in the box, without reservation. I think the cats like this better.

Common Tator · #8 09/16/13, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

Cool idea for an outdoor cat, but for an indoor cat I wouldn't... Lots of bacteria, mites, and other similar parasites. A good way for them to get worms too... Who knows, you could be bringing in some ticks with it too...

I've been thinking about this post. I think most of us who have indoor/outdoor cats use frontline or another type of treatment. So I worry a lot less about the cats bringing pests from outside.

Crazycat · #9 09/16/13, 12:39 PM

Thank you Common Tater for a new idea for free cat litter I will keep my eye out for free leaves/leaf litter!

I’m glad your cats are happy with the new litter!
We use horse bedding like Willowgirl. I have also used wood pellets like the type that are burnt in a stove but I think the horse bedding works better. My cats were a little unsure of it at first but quickly got used to it. I love that there isn’t any dust like with regular cat litter and IMO it also absorbs odors better and it’s MUCH cheaper ($6.00 40#)! With regular cat litter I often had to bleach the pan to get rid of the ammonia smell I no longer have this problem

.

OnlyMe · #10 09/22/13, 06:55 PM

Thank you for this post. We have plenty of leaves but I'm a little nervous about possibly bringing in bugs but it's great to know if I need a back up plan. I'm going to try the pellets ~ this would be a fantastic savings. I spend way too much on litter & can always use an excuse to visit TS

freegal · #11 09/22/13, 08:16 PM

We use the smaller "Swift Pick" pine shavings in the litter box. I figured that one out watching where the barn cats went. I don't sift though, just dump and refill. Shavings are cheaper than regular cat litter and smell better, too.

bajiay · #12 09/23/13, 01:14 AM

great ideas! thanks!

Oggie · #13 09/23/13, 10:44 AM

Unfortunately, pure sodium oxidizes pretty rapidly when exposed to air. But, if you can keep it fresh enough in the litter box, and the cats wee on it, the odor problem pretty much takes care of itself. Well, after the initial stench clears.

TedH71 · #14 09/23/13, 06:38 PM

Bake the leaves in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 mins. Will kill any critters in it guaranteed and yes, there are people who do this. Also worms? No, tapeworms come from ingesting fleas who already carry the tapeworm eggs on them.

farmer9989 · #15 09/23/13, 06:51 PM

that's what I use for my compost toilet.works great and I use a mower with bagger to chop the leaves .