Disposal of Cat Litter

Cat litter disposal is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it, and the cat has no opposable thumbs. There are several ways of disposing of or recycling kitty litter, including via landfill, as garden mulch or flushing, but each one has its drawbacks. Getting rid of cat litter properly will depend both on the type of cat litter used and the area in which you live. The potential for disease transmission should be taken into account, along with environmental concerns.

Things You'll Need

  • Litter instructions
  • Scooper
  • Gloves
  • Hot water
  • Soap
  • Trash bag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the label on the bag to find out what type of litter it is. Cat litter can be clay-based, which makes up more than half of the market; silicone-based, which absorbs up to 40 times its weight in water; or made of plant material, which is biodegradable.

    • 2

      Read the disposal instructions on the packaging to check whether the litter cannot be disposed of in a certain way.

    • 3

      Find out the guidelines in your particular area for disposing of cat litter. The rules or guidelines may vary by location. For example, the California Fish and Game Code encourages cat owners not to flush used litter but to put it in the trash.

    • 4

      Use a scooper to remove solid waste and clumps from the cat litter tray daily. Wash your hands thoroughly after use. Use gloves as an added layer of protection if you are pregnant or if your immune system is impaired. Extra precautions should be taken in these cases, as the feces can carry toxoplasmosis, a dangerous infectious parasite.

    • 5

      Replace the entire tray of cat litter as often as recommended on the litter packaging, ranging from every week to every month. Clean the tray thoroughly with hot water and soap before refilling.

    • 6

      Place the litter in the trash. In some areas, litter can also be flushed down the toilet, saving some space in landfill. However, cat feces contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii can get into the outside water system and infect mussels and other filtration shellfish, creating a reservoir of infection for mammals such as sea otters. Some plant-based cat litter can also be used as mulch in the garden, but using the litter in the garden exposes gardeners and visitors to the potential risk of toxoplasmosis.