In line with the proverb that "what goes in must come out" and "what goes up must come down," Although owning a cat may provide advantages such as autonomy and the expectation that one maintains a tidy living space and cleanliness, even the most pristine felines still require access to lavatory facilities.
Every cat owner will unequivocally state that litter box cleaning is their least favourite responsibility in regards to feline care. Litter is an annoyance, an odour contributor, and not precisely the lightest substance on the planet.
Additionally, it is a necessary evil in every household with a content feline. This raises the inquiry: what is the best way to get rid of cat litter or the most effective approach to managing a filthy litter box? How do I dispose of cat litter with minimal effort?
In this article, we discuss the various aspects of kitty litter and ways to identify and sustainably dispose of it. Let us dive right in!!
Litter that clumps together
First, we make a distinction between clumping and non-clumping cat litter. When the litter clumps together with the pee and feces, it becomes easier to remove it from the litter box. This is both practical and helpful because the litter will last longer if the droppings are routinely removed. For this reason, this kind of cat litter is recommended.
Reusable kitty litter
Based on the content, there is another differentiation. Certain types of trash are composed of renewable elements, while others are composed of fossil materials. In general, sustainable options, like wood-chip litter, are generated from renewable resources. China's silica gel litter is recognized as the least sustainable.
Because of transportation and the substantial quantity of coal required in its manufacture, it has a significant climatic effect. This speaks especially about Chinese silica gel litter; however, the origins of the litter aren't always obvious.
What to do with used kitty litter?
Isn't some litter compostable?
The initial biodegradable trash was, in fact, a kind of clay known as Fuller's clay. Ed Lowe, an American entrepreneur, recognized the exceptional water-absorbing properties of this clay, making it an ideal material for cats to use as a substrate for their waste.
Various biodegradable substrates exist, ranging from compressed paper to maize to wheat. These sources favour biodegradable choices since they can be composted due to their biodegradability. Nevertheless, I harbour genuine apprehensions over this matter.
Feline excrement can harbour pathogens more menacing than bacteria, such as E. coli. Cats infected with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii easily excrete this parasite in their feces. Once released into the environment, it can readily spread to other animals and humans alike.
While some sites may suggest that composting biodegradable cat litter for flower beds is OK, it is not advisable to be casual about a substance that might potentially contain pathogens.
Disposing of it in the garbage
When discarding your cat's litter, the traditional method is often the most effective. The most efficient method of eliminating feline waste and minimizing the chances of coming into contact with harmful microorganisms in cat excrement is to collect it in a sturdy garbage bag, securely tie it, and dispose of it in the trash.
A feline litter scoop for cat litter disposal can be used to separate the pee and feces from the litter, then transfer all the refuse into a garbage bag. Purchasing heavy-duty, biodegradable trash bags will reduce the likelihood of bag rupture due to excessive weight or the combination of debris and refuse contained therein.
The biodegradable nature of your cat's waste and litter enables it to naturally disintegrate over time, causing minimal disruption to the surrounding ecology. Prior to transferring the litter into the bag, position the bag inside your garbage bin.
By using this approach, you may effortlessly accomplish cat litter disposal by gathering everything without exacerbating the untidiness, as opposed to just holding the bag open.
After the trash bag is completely filled, securely fasten it with a knot and then place it inside another bag to prevent any litter from pouring out and to avoid any leakage of unpleasant odours or bacteria.
Dispose of the litter, which has been placed in two bags, into an outside garbage bin equipped with a securely fitting cover. Avoid leaving your cat's litter in the garbage can for an extended period of time without scooping it out.
The longer the item is inside, the more pungent the odour will become and the higher the likelihood of bacterial exposure.
Can you flush cat litter?
Given that humans utilize lavatories on a regular basis to eliminate waste, some of us may consider using the same method to dispose of our cat's excrement. This is rarely the most effective method for disposing of cat litter.
While some litters are considered "flushable" (e.g., wheat and corn-based litters), the vast majority of common litters, including silica, newspaper, and clay-based litters, clump considerably more readily and may damage your pipelines and infrastructure.
Flush only a few loads at a time when flushing a confirmed "flushable" litter variety so as to avoid clogging the commode. Another confirmed flushable biodegradable litter is pine-based litter composed of pine trunks. This material readily decomposes and bonds to the refuse of your cat.
According to plumbing standards, clumping litter down a toilet is an absolute no-no. They are potentially hazardous to your infrastructure. An additional disadvantage of flushing refuse of any kind is the potential for bacterial exposure.
The water filtration system in the majority of restrooms does not provide absolute eradication of microbes present in human or feline feces.
Cat feces contain potentially harmful parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii; therefore, it is strongly discouraged to dispose of refuse in the commode.
Final Words
Knowing where to place the litter box and disposing of cat litter in a clean and sanitary litter box will encourage your cat to return for more. Never allow the litter box to become more than two to three centimetres full; remove cat waste daily; and sanitize it once per week. Determine the appropriate amount of cat litter to use.
As opposed to plastic litter boxes, which serve as breeding grounds for bacteria, investing in a stainless steel litter box will also prevent the accumulation of bacteria. It is advisable to keep in mind that the most effective method for eliminating cat litter is the traditional approach of securing it in a sturdy container and depositing it in the refuse.