How to Use Horse Bedding As Cat Litter

A litter box is an essential tool for the indoor cat owner. Cats can be very particular about where they potty and like to dig and cover up their messes, so giving a cat a place of its own to go is necessary to prevent messes throughout your home. Cat litter can be expensive and messy, although a number of alternatives exist to keep your litter box fresh and clean. Using horse bedding as cat litter is an affordable way to keep your cat comfortable and your home free of scattered kitty litter.

Things You'll Need

  • Litter box
  • Cat litter
  • Horse bedding
  • Cat treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide what type of horse bedding to use in your litter box. Most people use a compressed wooden pellet, as it slowly breaks down when wet and absorbs many times its own weight in liquid, making your litter box easier to clean. Some owners also used recycled paper as bedding, although this can be more difficult to clean up as it can stick to the sides of the litter box when wet.

    • 2

      Clean your cat box and refill it 3/4 of the way full with your normal cat litter and the rest with the horse bedding. Mix it together so it is evenly combined and distributed in a thin layer throughout the litter box. Slowly adding the horse bedding to the cat litter will keep your cat from avoiding the litter box due to a drastic change.

    • 3

      Place the litter box in a quiet spot to encourage your cat to use it. Cats are very particular about their bathroom habits and may refuse to use the litter box if it is in a high traffic area. A bathroom or laundry room is quiet enough to allow your cat to potty when she feels comfortable, and easy to clean in case of an accident.

    • 4

      Offer your cat a couple of her favorite treats when she uses the new litter. The treat is positive reinforcement and will encourage her to go potty in the box in the future. Observe her quietly and reward her as soon as she goes potty for best results.

    • 5

      Add more horse bedding each time you change the litter box until no more cat litter remains. It may take a few changes to make a full transition, but soon your cat will be used to a clean litter box full of horse bedding and will go potty without hesitation.