What to do with cat poo?

[RedNeckCowBoy007]

So, I was thinking and trying to figure out what to do with used cat litter. Obviously, with the threat of parasites, compost is not an option. I've put it down groundhog holes before, and that seems to help drive the varmints off. But, aside from that, is there anything useful to do with cat poo and pee in the scoopable litter? We burn our garbage, so taking it out with the trash is not an option. We have scoopable litter, but not flushable (which is too expensive), so that won't work. I've been just putting it on the multaflora rose on the creek bank to try to kill it off and keep the groundhogs from coming 'round, but with 3 cats, we've got plenty to go around.... lol.

 

[Jewell]

If you use sawdust or the pine pellet type of cat litter you could compost it separately. Like they do for composting toilets. They have to compost for two years though, to make sure anything bad is destroyed. Using sawdust or pine pellets you could also burn it.

I've obviously have been reading up too much on composting toilets.

Remember there could also be a pit like the old outhouses that you just top off with dirt when full and then dig a new pit. That is what I do with dog poo. The dogs dig the holes and I fill them in with their poo and as much dirt as I can recover. Keeps them from digging in the same spot twice.

 

[headfullofbees]

So, I was thinking and trying to figure out what to do with used cat litter. Obviously, with the threat of parasites, compost is not an option. I've put it down groundhog holes before, and that seems to help drive the varmints off. But, aside from that, is there anything useful to do with cat poo and pee in the scoopable litter? We burn our garbage, so taking it out with the trash is not an option. We have scoopable litter, but not flushable (which is too expensive), so that won't work. I've been just putting it on the multaflora rose on the creek bank to try to kill it off and keep the groundhogs from coming 'round, but with 3 cats, we've got plenty to go around.... lol.

It's good to see a cat-owner take his responsibilities to the environment seriously; if only more were like you.

 

[cmckinney01]

I wish had some suggestions for you. I just throw my cat poop out every week.
I admire you for being such a devoted environmentalist. Very few people are as dedicated as you are.

 

[justusforus]

I try so hard to recycle, compost and naturally deal with things and I recently was given an indoor cat. I do put the litter in the trash since I do use so much of my grounds for gardening and edible fruit trees and bushes and I was a bit afraid from all I have read about cat urine and feces. I would love to use it for the ground hog holes but they are close to my garden.

I do wish there was a better answer I felt comfortable with.

 

[Pat]

Thanks for sharing, I was not aware you could do more than throw cat poo out in the trash. I have no more suggestions than those posted here. I do have a question, why is cat urine and feces full of parasites more than cows or horses that we use all the time for fertilizer.

 

[Lacey]

I have the same problem with dog poop. I clean it up almost daily because it will kill my grass if it sits on it too long. I don't think there are any good things you can do with cat or dog poop.

 

[Kaylah]

I don't have any suggestions other than the suggestions that were already posted here. I just throw my cat's kitty litter in the garbage. I hope you find a solution.

 

[RedNeckCowBoy007]

Lol at me being an environmentalist. I do try to take care of my resources and property, but it's out of my faith in God and the responsibilities He gave man to tend to the earth, and also in my own interests and an attempt to save money. Blake Shelton did a song a few years back that says, "I was green before green was a thing," and that song fits me quite well. The issue of what to do with the cat crap isn't so much as worrying about the environment (cat feces breaks down, otherwise the African plains would be quite full of it by now), but I live in the country and burn my trash, so just putting it with the garbage is not really an option. It burns about as well as used diapers...

I wish I knew why cat poop is worse in the way of parasites and such than horse or cow. If my wife was right here, I'd ask her, as she used to work as a vet tech.

I've seen dog poop make the grass greener...

The idea of a separate compost heap is an idea, but I'd end up just tossing new on all the time instead of having a couple piles, so it would just be a dung heap...

I had an idea that I wonder if anyone would have a yea or nay on for me - putting it around some of the trees. I figure the poo will break down fairly quick and fertilize the soil, while the clay would stay around and help to keep the grass and weeds down on the bass of said tree. Obviously, around a fruit tree would be a no no, but what about other trees away from the garden? I've been thinking I don't want too much along the creek bank for when my son gets old enough to start playing there, as I'm sure he will... And I still like playing along the creek myself if I can get a job without such a crazy schedule. lol.

 

[Here&There]

Lol at me being an environmentalist. I do try to take care of my resources and property, but it's out of my faith in God and the responsibilities He gave man to tend to the earth, and also in my own interests and an attempt to save money. Blake Shelton did a song a few years back that says, "I was green before green was a thing," and that song fits me quite well. The issue of what to do with the cat crap isn't so much as worrying about the environment (cat feces breaks down, otherwise the African plains would be quite full of it by now), but I live in the country and burn my trash, so just putting it with the garbage is not really an option. It burns about as well as used diapers...

I wish I knew why cat poop is worse in the way of parasites and such than horse or cow. If my wife was right here, I'd ask her, as she used to work as a vet tech.

I've seen dog poop make the grass greener...

The idea of a separate compost heap is an idea, but I'd end up just tossing new on all the time instead of having a couple piles, so it would just be a dung heap...

I had an idea that I wonder if anyone would have a yea or nay on for me - putting it around some of the trees. I figure the poo will break down fairly quick and fertilize the soil, while the clay would stay around and help to keep the grass and weeds down on the bass of said tree. Obviously, around a fruit tree would be a no no, but what about other trees away from the garden? I've been thinking I don't want too much along the creek bank for when my son gets old enough to start playing there, as I'm sure he will... And I still like playing along the creek myself if I can get a job without such a crazy schedule. lol.

Hey CowBoy and anyone else interested, cat and dog poop should never be used as a fertilizer because of the same reason human poop shouldn't be used; cats and dogs (and 99.9% humans) are carnivorous by nature. Meat waste doesn't belong in a compost pile or spread around plants. Plus, dogs, cats and humans carry harmful organisms in their stomachs and possible diseases in their poop that will harm the composting process. Spread around plants, it will be harmful to the plant life. There are some parasitic organisms that will stay in the soil FOREVER, and other animals and humans can still become infected. Hopes this helps. Happy trails to you...