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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: daxzen on February 18, 2006, 01:52:02

Title: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: daxzen on February 18, 2006, 01:52:02
We use catsan cat litter

We remove the faeces and dispose of it - twice a day

We replace the whole lot every week and the ammonia smelling cat litter is thrown away that seems to be a waste there must be loads of nitrogen in it and if it was safe I'd like to use it by adding it to my allotment cpmpost bins

any ideas

Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Justy on February 18, 2006, 09:27:20
I think general advice is no animal waste matter apart from small amounts of pet bedding eg. rabbit, hamster.  Even though you are removing the actual waste I personally wouldn't be too keen on having it in compost that was going on my veg!  Maybe you could just use it on ornamentals?  My cat is forever pooing round my garden plants and doesn't seem to do them much harm!  ;D
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: stuffed on February 18, 2006, 19:51:04
The leaflet that I got with my compost bin says no to cat litter.
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Paulines7 on February 20, 2006, 13:25:11
We have the pine wooden pellets cat litter and the whole lot, poos and all, get thrown on our compost heaps.
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Growbe on February 21, 2006, 02:31:28
I agree cat poo is no good.

But if you get caught short at the lottie.
And you don't have a potty.
A little wee in the compost will do it no harm.
The nitrogen will bring it on like a charm.
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: sandersj89 on February 21, 2006, 09:57:06
It seems HDRA say no to cat litter:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/compost_pf.php

But other sites say it is OK:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/environment/a-z/ctod.htm

Personally I think I would at least remove any faeces and then compost the litter for at least a year.

Jerry
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: loulou on February 21, 2006, 10:00:55
all information about composting i have read says no cat poo but other bedding ie hamster, rabbit can go in once poo is removed iv also read on only a few places that shreaded news paper can go in would any one know if this is true  thankd from loulou
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 21, 2006, 11:45:00
Why wouldn't hamster or rabbit poo be used? We use other herbivores' poo, after all, like horses and cattle. I thought it was only the carnivores that were nasty.
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Gardenantics on February 21, 2006, 12:12:10
I think the concern is that the eggs of a parasite that can infect humans will not be killed by most garden composting, as the temp. never gets high enough. Even if you worm your cats/dogs don't risk it, I lost sight in my left eye as a child because of this nasty little critter. It can survive 7 years as a cyst in your soil, so be very careful around contaminated beds. I wear surgical gloves all the time I'm dealing with soil.

Brian
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Mimi on February 21, 2006, 15:30:15
Shredded paper can go in Loulou.  I also put in everything that gets shredded at work. Well it only goes to landfill doesn't it.  Better to use it for my compost  ;)
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: Paulines7 on February 22, 2006, 22:54:11
I use shredded paper as well as straw as bedding in the chicken house.  When I change it, it all goes on to the compost heap.
Title: Re: Cat Litter can it be composted
Post by: loulou on February 22, 2006, 23:55:01
thanks for the info on papper ill talk nicely to my boss tomorrow  ;D and  let the kids shred it for me they make very small piece's of anyother paper they get hold of lol ;D only problem is because I'm going to let them do it they may not thats usually the way life works