The Best Way to Deal With Cat Litter

Cat litter is a fact of feline life for any indoor cat. The litter allows the cat to take care of its business without exposure to the dangers of traffic and other animals that it can encounter outdoors. In exchange for this convenience to the cat, the owner is charged with cleaning the litter box and disposing of the dirty litter. For most cat owners this is a daily task.

  1. Cleaning the Cat Litter Box

    • Several types of cat litter are available. Clumping cat litter forms solid clumps when the cat urinates in the litter box. This allows the clumps of urine to be removed, along with the feces, every day. The entire litter should be changed on a weekly basis.
      Other forms of litter do not form clumps but allow the urine to either be absorbed by the litter or soak through and accumulate in the base of the litter box.
      In recent years green or organic varieties of cat litter have been developed. Many of these are made from cellulose material and other plant material. Another specialized variety of cat litter is designed to handle multiple cat households.
      Cat owners are advised to wear rubber gloves when cleaning the litter box. The box should be washed with warm soapy water when the litter is changed.

    Disposing of the Cat Litter

    • Aome brands of cat litter are marketed as flushable. According to the website fanciers.com, even flushable cat litter should not be introduced into private septic sewer systems.
      Other forms of cat litter are usually disposed of with the household trash. The dirty litter should be double bagged to prevent breakage and spillage of the feces and urine.
      Cat litter can also be used as garden fertilizer or mulch in some situations. Because of the possibility cat litter can contain bacteria infectious to humans, it is not advised that cat litter be used in vegetable gardens.
      If you use cat litter in a flower garden, wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after working in the flower bed.
      Be aware that spreading cat litter in your garden or yard could serve to attract neighbor cats that will also use the garden for their bathroom.