View Full Version : A question about Cat Litter
My little girl wanted a new kitty for her birthday earlier this year so we now have two cats.
Maybe I just didn't notice it before, or this new cat is better at producing that ammonia smell..... I mean like walking past an anhydrous tank bad. This got me thinking.
I have a lot more used cat litter now. I have heard of people using it on their property to keep the gophers and moles away but does it have any other uses. Some fertilizers are made of ammonium nitrates, would cat litter fall into this catagory and make a decent fertilizer? Could I just dispose of all our old cat litter on our garden site and have a rockin garden next year?
Santa CruZin
12-03-2012, 07:02
I would imagine it would depend on the litter. Some litters are synthetic, some have odorizers - hard to say what they'd do to garden soil. The synthetic ones might never break down...?
M2 Carbine
12-03-2012, 07:12
Interesting question,especially about the gophers and moles.
Moles are tearing up my back yard.
I have 10 cats, so have a lot of litter boxes in the house and shops. I've just been spreading the litter down the driveway where the next big rain washes it away. Be nice to find use for it, like driving away the moles.
My mom has a friend that plays monday night dominos with her that uses her used cat litter to keep moles and gophers out of his earthen pond dam.
M2 Carbine
12-03-2012, 07:26
The five litter boxes need changing. I'll spread them out over the mole runs and see what happens.
I've tried everything to get rid of the little ******** but nothing works.
The cats are too fat and lazy to get them.:)
Patchman
12-03-2012, 07:28
I thought the cheap cat litter is just clay. After the do-it-yourself family cars oil changes, we use it to soak up any oil that dropped/spilled onto the driveway. Pour some of the cat litter onto the oil spot and grind litter with feet into finer particles. It'll wash away with the next rain.
SC Tiger
12-03-2012, 07:35
My little girl wanted a new kitty for her birthday earlier this year so we now have two cats.
Maybe I just didn't notice it before, or this new cat is better at producing that ammonia smell..... I mean like walking past an anhydrous tank bad. This got me thinking.
I have a lot more used cat litter now. I have heard of people using it on their property to keep the gophers and moles away but does it have any other uses. Some fertilizers are made of ammonium nitrates, would cat litter fall into this catagory and make a decent fertilizer? Could I just dispose of all our old cat litter on our garden site and have a rockin garden next year?
I'm wondering if there is something that the manufacturers are leaving out of cat litter now to make it more "eco-friendly" or to not damage septic systems (some people flush used cat litter down the toilet - even the non-flushable type).
There is something you can add to the litter - it comes in a yellow can about the size of a large can of Red Bull. I think it is made by one of the major cat litter manufacturers but if you sprinkle it into the box and stir it in it will kill the ammonia smell.
BTW - here is something I am trying to clean the cat box - I bought a cheap plastic collander and a pickle bucket from Firehouse for $2. I put the collander in the bucket and dump the litter box into the collander. If the collander is the right type (needs to have a lot of holes near the bottom - I bought mine at Ingles) it will sift all of the urine clumps and feces out of the litter. I tried it last night and it works pretty well. Probably easier than digging all the crap out of the box.
I use this same type of setup to separate the media from my fired brass as well after cleaning it in the tumbler.
SunGunner
12-03-2012, 09:16
Add baking soda to the litter to significantly cut down on the smell. We buy scented Publix brand litter and buy the large containers of baking soda, comes out a lot cheaper than the expensive brands and works much better on the scent.
inthefrey
12-03-2012, 10:14
We have 5 cats and 4 litter pans. Pans are in the basement. The pans get scooped twice a week and completely cleaned once a month. We add baking soda when we completely clean them out. We use the regular cat litter - no special clumping stuff or any of that chlorophyll junk. Not knocking it but, as long as the pans are cleaned, we have no odor problems.
Every year someone comes out with a new fangled device or litter to elliminate or mitigate "the duty" of cleaning the cat pan. It all adds to the cost of keeping and taking good care of your cat. So, unless you can train the cat to go in the toilet, or buy the latest greatest gadget or litter, you'll always need to deal with the kitty poop!
What it really all comes down to is the littler pan does not clean itself - even if you get an automatic one.
Cat litter is made from processed shale. You don't want it in your driveway, garden or septic system! Best buried in the landfill.
We keep 2 covered litter boxes for 3 cats and use clumping litter. I scoop it daily, sprinkle a little fresh litter on top, and change it completely at 8-12 days. A heavy metal scoop is quick and efficient.Amazon.com: Duranimals DuraScoop Cat Litter Scoop (colors may vary): Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411q-lCPG2L.@@AMEPARAM@@411q-lCPG2L
A covered box is nice. We still use an old Booda box we got 16 years ago but this one with steps to help contain the litter looks smart.Amazon.com: Booda Dome Cleanstep Cat Box, Titanium: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-uTv9jrQL.@@AMEPARAM@@31-uTv9jrQL
Well, I guess I have learned what I wanted to know then.
wvtarheel
12-03-2012, 11:13
It may not be the litter.
I noticed the same thing once, bought more expensive litter and the problem did not go away. We took our cat to the vet, he needed to go anyway for some shot or something. The vet (who is very good) immediately told us he had a urinary tract infection. We got prescribed a pill, but the vet's main idea was to get him drinking more water. We started changing his water more often (2-3 times a day) and for a couple weeks upped the wet food. He got better and now we still change the water a lot to keep him drinking more.
You should keep in mind it might be a problem with the pee, and not the litter!
Well, I guess I have learned what I wanted to know then.
You didn't learn:
"My name is Euell Gibbons. Did you know that cat litter is edible?"
:supergrin:
I agree with inthefrey. You can go broke buying fancy cat-care stuff and the cats don't really care.
I also have always wondered why cat and dog food bags and cans are always labeled as being yummy, delicious, tasty! Do they think the cats and dogs are reading that? :headscratch:
TransAm-98
12-03-2012, 12:37
We use the Blue Buffalo litter. Our cats have always been picky about their litter, and since we started using it we haven't found any new surprises around the house. It also does a good job of fighting off odors by itself, but if it starts to get ripe just mix some baking soda in with it.
Mrs.Cicero
12-03-2012, 13:11
Using cat (or dog) feces for fertilizer is very NOT RECOMMENDED. If you use that for fertilizer and your kid plays in the garden, that's a great way to get toxoplasmosis and assorted nasty worms. Also, if you put baking soda in it to cut down on the smell, and then use it in your garden you will screw up the soil pH pretty quickly.
If you want fertilizer, get a rabbit.
Using cat (or dog) feces for fertilizer is very NOT RECOMMENDED. If you use that for fertilizer and your kid plays in the garden, that's a great way to get toxoplasmosis and assorted nasty worms. Also, if you put baking soda in it to cut down on the smell, and then use it in your garden you will screw up the soil pH pretty quickly.
If you want fertilizer, get a rabbit.
This is the kinda stuff I wanted to know, thanks. but I am not going to get a rabbit:supergrin:
You should try "The World's Best Cat Litter" (that's what it's called). It's a bit pricey but it cuts down on the smell, it's easy to scoop, and it's safe to flush down the toilet.
I don't know anything about warding off rodents.
You have to use the used cat litter to ward off the rodents. Seems that the cat pee smell worries them about the presence of predators.
Peace Warrior
12-04-2012, 06:21
The five litter boxes need changing. I'll spread them out over the mole runs and see what happens.
I've tried everything to get rid of the little ******** but nothing works.
The cats are too fat and lazy to get them.:)
Borrow someone's pit bull for a few nights. No more moles, gophers, etc.
I read in the vet column in the paper a couple weeks ago that cat boxes should be scooped 4-5 times a DAY. :faint:
He said if you disagree than you should try only flushing your toilet once a day or so and see how it works for you. I think that sounds like a LOT of work, but it would certainly cut down on odor. :dunno:
Peace Warrior
12-04-2012, 06:32
The best cat litter is builder's sand. I would excavate a 2'L x 2'W x 6"deep pit along side of the backyard portion of the driveway. Place a double layer of vinyl screening into the bottom of the pit and let it over lap the sides by roughly 2" E.W..
Fill the pit with builder's sand and be sure to cover the sides as you do. 'Ere ya go. :wavey:
NOTE: If you happen to not have a driveway extending into your backyard, well, you may have to use another posters' advice as my advice relies heavily on this single factor.
I read in the vet column in the paper a couple weeks ago that cat boxes should be scooped 4-5 times a DAY. :faint:
He said if you disagree than you should try only flushing your toilet once a day or so and see how it works for you. I think that sounds like a LOT of work, but it would certainly cut down on odor. :dunno:
Agree. I scoop any time I'm aware it's been used. I'm usually aware if I'm home, because the cat comes and gets me after she uses the box. One cat; I'm retired. I use "Yesterday's News", litter made from recyled newspaper. No odor ever. Cat always has fresh water.
Adjuster
12-04-2012, 08:34
A litter box has to be scooped once daily. The post above that says twice a week in the basement oh my God! I love the people that swear when you enter their home you can't smell cat. Lots of attempts to prove this to me but all have failed. Some peoples homes reek of cat and the litter box and they are oblivious to it.
/
Dennis in MA
12-04-2012, 10:01
I found a great alternative. I got rid of the cat.
Of course, I followed the "She swallowed a spider" method.
First, I got a dog. Cat hates dog. WIFE wanted dog. Cat has to go.
Second, I got a new baby son. Dog isn't crazy about son. Son LOVES dog. Dog too much of a nudge. Wife gets brother to take dog.
Now if I can only figure out what to do to get rid of this son, I'll be home free. LOL
(KIDDING! Totally worth it - and I got rid of the cat!)
We use Scoop Away unscented and scoop twice a day. We clean the boxes once a week.
No one has ever noticed a smell (and they would surely tell us if there were a smell).
Lone Wolf8634
12-04-2012, 10:28
Most (clumping) cat litter is made of bentonite. Bentonite is a wonderful clay with uses in just about everything you can imagine, from cat litter to make up to Hershey Bars. But it won't do your garden or yard a bit of good. When bentonite gets wet it first forms clumps (hence its use in kitty kitter) as more moisture is added it begins to form a "goo" and then a slurry with the consistency of snot, which is the polite term, I won't say what we called it in the oil patch.
Once its wet enough it becomes water resistant, which is why I hauled so much of it to the "Big Dig" in Boston. They used it to waterproof the tunnel. But I doubt that your garden or lawn would like having a bunch of waterproof material that holds no nutrients.
I read in the vet column in the paper a couple weeks ago that cat boxes should be scooped 4-5 times a DAY. :faint:
He said if you disagree than you should try only flushing your toilet once a day or so and see how it works for you. I think that sounds like a LOT of work, but it would certainly cut down on odor. :dunno:
then I need to figure out how to train the kitties to sit on the ring and flush.:supergrin:
Peace Warrior
12-04-2012, 19:52
then I need to figure out how to train the kitties to sit on the ring and flush.:supergrin:
Not as hard as you may think. Put a "litter box" just under the seat, let them know where it is (e.g., place them in it), and then let them use for a week or so. After ward, remove it and they should continue to use the toilet. Some people teach them how to flush, but I'd never go that far.
F14Scott
12-04-2012, 19:53
http://www.scoopfree.com/
We have one of these and love it. We change the self-contained box of litter every three weeks (with one cat) and occasionally stir the crystals. No other maintenance is required, and there is zero smell. My wife has a very sensitive sense of smell, and she doesn't tolerate litter odor at all. This unit is much better, odor wise, than our last litter box, in which we tried all kinds of different litters.
This thing works, and it is soooo easy. The best of both worlds. Only downside is the higher cost than conventional litter, but, at $4.60 a week, the lack of odor, lack of maintenance, and only needing 5 minutes to completely change the litter and disposable tray, it is well worth it.
Amazon.com: ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JJK2QF04L.@@AMEPARAM@@41JJK2QF04L
Amazon.com: ScoopFree Litter Tray Refills with Premium Blue Crystals, Pack of 6: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M4RDH0HTL.@@AMEPARAM@@41M4RDH0HTL
then I need to figure out how to train the kitties to sit on the ring and flush.:supergrin:
My cat uses the toilet. He has his own bathroom too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/Norm357/GUS10.jpg
I used litter kwitter. Took a couple of weeks.
http://www.litterkwitter.com/en/index.php
A litter box has to be scooped once daily. The post above that says twice a week in the basement oh my God! I love the people that swear when you enter their home you can't smell cat. Lots of attempts to prove this to me but all have failed. Some peoples homes reek of cat and the litter box and they are oblivious to it.
/
:agree:
Always have one more cat litter box than you have cats. Clean them every other day at least.
Also, if you have an attached garage, install a pet door for the cats to use the boxes in there and also put their food in there. This has been our saving grace.
I had a certain in-law that I could not be around because THEY reeked of the cat box. I could not even imagine what the house smelled like.
The ex-husband was forbidden to take the kids there. :puking:
You didn't learn:
"My name is Euell Gibbons. Did you know that cat litter is edible?"
:supergrin:
I agree with inthefrey. You can go broke buying fancy cat-care stuff and the cats don't really care.
I also have always wondered why cat and dog food bags and cans are always labeled as being yummy, delicious, tasty! Do they think the cats and dogs are reading that? :headscratch:
My Vet told me that our dog needed a change in food. He said the new stuff tasted different and to watch the dog to see if he liked it.
I told him that I believed the dog would accept the new food. An animal that would eat their own poop cannot have a very sophisticated palate. He laughed and agreed.
inthefrey
12-05-2012, 08:50
A litter box has to be scooped once daily. The post above that says twice a week in the basement oh my God! I love the people that swear when you enter their home you can't smell cat. Lots of attempts to prove this to me but all have failed. Some peoples homes reek of cat and the litter box and they are oblivious to it.
/
To each his own. I have 5 cats and 4 litter pans. How many cats do you own? All of my cats are healthy. They are all "fixed" too. No cat oder in my house.
Now, talk to me about being in a "smoker's" home...:supergrin:
FLIPPER 348
12-05-2012, 09:45
No cat oder in my house.
only because you don't notice it
Foxterriermom
12-05-2012, 09:59
The five litter boxes need changing. I'll spread them out over the mole runs and see what happens.
I've tried everything to get rid of the little ******** but nothing works.
The cats are too fat and lazy to get them.:)
Buck, I will let you borrow one of my terriers. They will take care of the problem right quick for you.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61BS3Q9KcTL._SY355_.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OjPt8u59L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-61,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg
Thankfully, my cat learned how to use the doggy door and broke herself from using the litter pan by going outside. It was such a relief to get that nasty thing out of the house.
Peace Warrior
12-05-2012, 10:16
Buck, I will let you borrow one of my terriers. They will take care of the problem right quick for you. ...
This^
Two words... wood pellets.
You'll never use kitty litter again. We prefer oak, but pine will work about as well.
Most stores only carry them during the winter months for pellet stoves, we buy a years supply each winter. Works for hampsters, rabbits, cats, parrots, etc. They soak up like a sponge and control odor great.
Do you burn the pellets then?
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