Healthy and Green Living

Besides, Vinegar stinks worse than cat urine.

That is the main reason I would never use vinegar anywhere in my house. I wouldn't want my whole place reeking of something that stinks that bad.

flag as inappropriate

Dear Sharon P.;
That may be all well & good for you, but My house has NO running water. Must be nice for you to have the luxury of hot & cold running water, I wouldn't know. Plus I live on a fixed income which is thousands of dollars below the US Federal Poverty level. Moreover, I am way to busy working trying to scrimp & make ends meet than spend it frivolously on high priced cat litter, & all the extra time which you say is needed to try & keep it clean & sanitary.
Thanks for your suggestion, but for me it is totally impractical.

flag as inappropriate

I use Cedarific for two cats in a single pan. It tracks a bit, so sweeping regularly is a necessity. I use an old #10 can as a measure and three cans a day does it. The pan gets dumped on a compost (not for garden use) pile daily, the pan sprayed with white vinegar and dish soap solution then rinsed with hot water. This keeps it clean enough that the cats continue to use the pan and litter. The cleaning process takes 5-10 minutes since I have a hose sprayer in the shower that rinses things easily and quickly. Solution is kept mixed in a spray bottle. (7 parts vinegar, 1 part soap.)

The litter is inexpensive and I get it at the grocery store or pet store.

flag as inappropriate

the idea of using wheat as litter seems a bit daft. i know my sister has had great success using a litter made from corn cobs (so not helping increase global food prices). Sorry, i don't remember the name.

Unfortunately, the only litter available where i live is clumping clay stuff and silica granules. Neither of these works in my very humid apartment. I have tried toilet training my cats. One did well, the other acted like a princess and refused (somehow peeing in the bathtub seemed more acceptable to her...).

Any advice for toilet training kitties? i need help!

flag as inappropriate

I've tried many, and had the best luck with Papurr. It's paper, looks and feels like clay, and even clumps somewhat, and the cats didn't mind it at all. It is expensive and harder to find though. The only store I found it at was Petsmart.

flag as inappropriate

For those who are considering putting the litter out with the compost, be aware that pet waste has bacteria and pathogens in it just as human waste does. If it is put in the compost, and then used on a garden wtihout being treated or allowed to decompose completely until it has effectively disappeared, there is a risk of introducing pathogens into the garden. We don't put human waste on our gardens for the same reason! Aside from the smell, of course. I like the idea of toilet training the cat - haven't ever done it but have seen it done. My only concern is that when the cat becomes very old, it may be difficult for her to continue... I have a 19 year old cat and recently had to put a box upstairs, as the stairs were too much for her to manage.

flag as inappropriate

I just got a cat from a rescue and I plan to toilet train her once she gets settled in. No litter at all.

flag as inappropriate

2 cats - tried out the paper kind and they refused it.

Tried the pine and they liked only for a day. After this the bits became 'play' things and would be found around the house.

Finally went back to clay, but mix with the pine and they will use the box again. if anyone comes up with a better product, I would love to hear about it.

flag as inappropriate

Does no one know this?
I won a whole year supply of this product on last catshow and would like to know if it compost safe.

How do I know this product is just a traditional clay variety as Hilary talks about? Is their website lying when they say it is eco-friendly?

flag as inappropriate

I just recently adopted a new cat from the Humane Society and I was worried about finding a clay free litter because the clay can get in the cat's digestive system and cause dangerous blockages. Well I went to the pet store and I found a natural litter made called Shweat Step and it's made of wheat. It's awesome, it's just like other litters but it's completely bio-degradeable and and there are no chemicals added, so that's a great option for the environment and for your beloved cat.

flag as inappropriate