No KittyLitter in the Garden?

[minnikin1]

does anybody know why kitty litter manufacturers say you should not put their product in the garden?

We use unscented clay litter for our bunnies, and I hate wasting all that wonderful manure.

So I'm wondering if the clay has contaminants in it?

[mwhit]

I always assumed it was to prevent toxoplasmosis from the cat feces (not an issue with rabbits), but of course you would also end up with alot of clay in/on your soil which would affect the soil composition-- not much grows well in clay. Is there anyway that you can separate the poo from the litter and just apply the poo?? Possibly a sifter of some type that allows the litter to pass through, but catches the poo?

[ceresone]

Never, Never, use pet feces in the garden!

[Peacock]

Don't fertilize with or compost with any poo from a carnivorous animal. That's the rule.

OTOH...I do put used cat litter -- cat pee-scented only, no poo -- in the garden to keep away rabbits who want to munch on my plants. It works beautifully!

I would imagine that used litter from bunnies would be just fine, as they're herbivores, right?

[mwhit]

Originally Posted by edayna

Don't fertilize with or compost with any poo from a carnivorous animal. That's the rule.

OTOH...I do put used cat litter -- cat pee-scented only, no poo -- in the garden to keep away rabbits who want to munch on my plants. It works beautifully!

I would imagine that used litter from bunnies would be just fine, as they're herbivores, right?

You can use manure compost from poultry. While they are not strictly carnivores, they are omnivores and do eat meat when given the chance. Definately do not use cat or dog feces though!! Rabbit feces is fine though

[mommagoose_99]

I have used bunny poop in my garden and got great results. Onions and garlic specifically were magnificent with bunny mulch. I would check the lable carefully to see if there might be toxic metals in the kitty litter.

[minnikin1]

Ok, I think what I'll do is put some sand in the mixture for the bunnies and then I can just dump it in with the compost.
The sand should help lighten up the effect of all that clay.

The minerals in the clay should be beneficial, too.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

You could try some of the pine or paper based litters instead of the clay if you want to use it in your garden.

[NWoods_Hippie]

Thinking the same as Matthew, there are many litter products on the market now that are not made with clay but made instead with pine, ground corn cobs or recycled paper that would be better for the garden than clay.

Margie

[anniew]

Yes, the parasites in cat and dog feces, including the taxo....is why it is not used in food gardens. However, I have used it in beds that will always be flowers, after taking out the "lumps." The flowers seem to do fine in it.
Ann

[DownHome]

How about calling the 1-800 number on the litter sack? I would think they may be helpful or maybe not. Just a shot. gl

[Jack in VA]

I use Peat Moss under my cages.

[Bluegirl]

I use pine shavings for my rabbits. It can be dumped directly on the garden or composted.

[Dente deLion]

I put used litter outside the fence (in the alley) as a rabbit deterrent. Is that a bad idea? So far it hasn't seemed to work anyway - too many rabbits, too little poo.

[green5acres]

I dump the litter on the back side of the garden where any runoff goes down the hill away from the garden and that area is towards the woods where all the garden eating critters come from. 2 yrs now and seems to be working for me.

[Old Vet]

I used to live where they made cat litter. It is made from a specificly clay base dried and chunked. The clay does not have any other minerials that will help the garden. If you plant vegibles in it you will not have much of a plant and no fruit. It is almost sterilaced.