Inexpensive, green cat litter

[politicat]

We have two cats, and years back, we switched them off the scoopable because they found it amazing to FLING! with GREAT joy! all over the house. Both cats are kickers and scratchers in the box. First, we switched back to standard clay, but the environmental costs of clay are actually pretty high -- the stuff is effectively mined. Then we tried Yesterday's News and liked it and the cats liked it, but at $17 a bag, that gets pricey fast. I'd seen Feline Pine a few times, and then... I happened to see pellet stove pellets. Yep, they're the same thing as Feline Pine, just shaped slightly differently.

Three years ago, we switched the cats to pellets. We currently pay $5.50 for a 40 pound bag that lasts about six weeks to two months. (the boxes get changed on Sunday/Monday or Thursday and usually scooped on the other days... but we're not perfect about the scooping.) We still have a bit of sawdust tracking, but it's not bad -- a rug just outside the bathroom where their boxes are cuts it well. No health issues, no litterbox behavioral issues.

The pellets we use are a local product, made from trees hit by bark beetles. In theory, the wood can't be used for anything else (I've no idea why this is -- it seems structurally fine, and would be fine for paper, MDF, or other wood products, but so I've been told.) The only problem I have is they're taxed at a much lower rate, so getting the store to sell them to me with the proper sales tax rate (because I'm not using them for their stated purpose) can be difficult.

We have two compost bins -- one for garden compost, one for lawn. The poop in the box goes into the toilet, and the sawdust goes into the lawn compost bin. We get GREAT compost out of the lawn bin -- all that nitrogen. We've also noted that the neighborhood feral cats and raccoons don't seem to find our house as interesting a hangout anymore -- maybe the urine scent in the compost sticks, or it's coincidental. That's always possible.

[troubleinwinter]

1. Most interesting!

I know my dad used a pine flushable product. I used it and liked it too. Other than the 'flush bits', I also put the product in the yard.

I lost two trees to pine bark beetles last year.

Your clue is very interesting. I don't have a kitty presently, but love the hint.

[kestrel91316]

2. Pine cat litter makes me a little nervous. Pine oils are highly toxic in cats,

to the point that we can see elevated liver enzymes in cats that live in homes where Lysol and Pine Sol are used (they have pine oil in them). So I don't recommend it. Better safe than sorry.

YMMV, of course.

[troubleinwinter]

3. Oh my.

I have a pine oil cleaning cleaning product (but nearly never use it). No cats at present, but a pug dog and a conure bird. I would assume that if it's bad for cats, it's bad for pug and especially bird.

[glinda]

4. I never knew that. We use Yesterday's news and it is way too expensive. Five cats too!

[kestrel91316]

10. Yesterday's News is what I send home with my kitty neuters, and those

once-or-twice-a-year declaws. Otherwise I recommend PetSmart's Exquisicat Scoop (with baking soda!!lol) for everyday use. It's what I use for all my kitties. $11 for 40 lb, clumps hard, never an odor problem.

[CC]

5. I use wood pellets for

the ferrets. It or Yesterdays News is the only thing the vet recommends as safe for them. Most cat litters are dangerous for ferrets. I would think if they are safe for ferrets they would be safe for cats. No pine or cedar anything for either the cats or ferrets though.

[WolverineDG]

6. CC!!

Long time no see! How are things going for you & the zoo crew? :) :loveya:

dg

[CC]

7. Hi Wolfie!!!

:hi::loveya:

We are doing good. I spend my time during Countdown riding a bike and walking back and forth these. Feet have healed but have to get them and me back in shape and relearn how to walk.I had no idea how much muscle and balance a person loses when not allowed to walk and how fast you lose it.

[WolverineDG]

8. wow, that's scary!

Glad to hear you are on the mend, though! :loveya:

dg

[CC]

9. Avoid breaking your

feet at all cost. Least things are healing and I am out of the wheelchair. I can do stuff just need breaks and to move slow.

[LostinVA]

11. I never even thought about that

We heat our house with wood pellets. They can be hard to find sometimes.

And just so you know, if you want to stock up, wood pellets are cheapest in May/June. $5.50/bag is actually really expensive for them.