Do you know how to dispose of cat litter properly? There are two different manners to do it, and it’s important to note that one is wrong and the other is right. The correct way to get rid of commercial cat litter is to secure it inside a trash bag. This method will allow you to transport it to the landfill safely.
Can You Burn Cat Litter?
While it may seem like a better idea to burn cat litter, doing so harms the environment as it releases toxic chemicals into the air.
Ash and dust particles from burning cat waste can also irritate your lungs and throat. In addition, discarded litter and cat feces can carry parasites and bacteria, which can cause discomfort and illness.
In addition, burning cat waste can release dust and ash particles that can irritate your lungs and throat. Also, the discarded litter and feces can contain parasites and bacteria, which can cause discomfort and illness.
Read also: How to Compost Cat Litter?
How to Dispose of Cat Litter Correctly?
What goes in must come out. There are many perks to owning a cat, such as independence and the desire to be clean. However, even the most pet-friendly cats need to use the facilities. Most cat owners would tell you that their favorite chore when looking after their pets is cleaning the litter box.
A dirty litter box is not ideal and can be painful to clean. However, it’s also a necessary evil for a cat’s happy life.
Throw It in the Trash
This practice is the best way to get rid of your cat litter. It involves regularly sweeping the boxes and placing them in a small trash bag. You can also use a litter scoop to remove the stool and urine. After the boxes have been scooped, tie off the bag with a knot.
To keep your litter from getting odorous, double bag it and place it inside a trash can. Also, use a heavy-duty garbage bag since clay litter can quickly get very heavy.
Keep cat litter away from trash cans and away from the air. It can get dirty after a while and can contaminate the air when it’s opened. Also, do not dispose of used cat litter outside.
If you live farther from the city proper, you may have a burn barrel or a burn pile for your trash. Clay litter, on the other hand, will not do well in a fire. Although some biodegradable wastes can be considered burnable, they can still release toxins.
Do Not Flush Cat Litter
Clay-based cat litter can cause severe damage to your plumbing. Some biodegradable products claim to be flushable on the packaging, but this is not the case.
Flustering your cat’s urine or stool is not a good idea. Even though these are just one thing, it’s still not recommended as intestinal parasites can still stay in the water supply.
Since its humble beginnings in 1947, cat litter has changed a lot. From non-clumping to biodegradable, it has become easier to pick the right one for your pet.
However, choosing the suitable litter can be very challenging, depending on your cat’s behavior and how frequently they use it. The correct information about what to do with your used cat litter is still the same, and it should not be complicated.
Composting Is Also Not Recommended
Experts introduced the first commercially available cat litter from a type of clay known as Fuller’s clay in 1947. Ed Lowe, a businessman from the U.S., states that this type of clay can absorb water and make an excellent substrate for cats. Since then, various materials have arisen to make cat litter.
In addition to clay, other substrates are biodegradable, such as corn, wheat, and compressed paper. Some sources consider these to be beneficial, as they can compost them. However, experts have reservations about this.
Compared to bacteria, such as E.coli, cat feces can carry various threats. A parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii can quickly shed in the feces of infected cats. It can then infect other animals and people. Some sources, however, say that using cat litter in flower gardens is okay as long as it’s not vegetable-based.
Selecting an Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
Not disposing of cat litter can significantly impact our landscapes and waterways. The toxins and pathogens in animal waste can harm both humans and animals.
The sheer volume of cat litter can be a significant issue, as it can contain dangerous bacteria. Even though cat litter labeled as biodegradable cannot always break down properly in landfills, you can still dispose of them in plastic bags. It is essential to buy eco-friendly products and dispose of your waste in biodegradable bags whenever possible.
Clay-based litter can’t biodegrade as quickly as organic alternatives, which means they pollute both the sewer systems and waterways. Instead, consider using more organic cat litter from various sources such as corn, wheat, and other grains.
Read also: Best Cat Litter Disposal System – Top 3 Options!
Make Changes in Your Cat’s Diet
The food that your cat is eating must come out. It will have fewer nutrients and preservatives if processed, affecting the environment. Fluffy’s fecal matter also has fewer nutrients and will have a lot of preservatives.
In the U.S., the waste that ends up in landfills is contributing to rising greenhouse gas emissions. It’s essential to nourish your cat with the best possible food, as this can help keep the environment clean and reduce the number of methane emissions.
Follow the same guidelines for your pet’s food, which include ensuring that it is from sustainable meat or plant-based products.
Do Not Use Biodegradable Bags
One of the most common ways to dispose of cat waste is by taking it out of the box and placing it inside a bag. A biodegradable bag for cat litter might seem like a great alternative, but these tend to produce mixed results.
In 2019, a study by Plymouth University involved:
- Take five types of plastic bags and expose them to the air.
- Burying them in the ground.
- Submerging them underwater for three years.
After three years, the various types of plastic bags used to carry groceries were still strong enough to be transported in the environment. It raises questions about their viability as a replacement for trash bags.
Before putting your cat’s waste in your trash bin, make sure it’s in a bag. Brown paper bags are more likely to break down in less time than their plastic counterparts.
Conclusion
Can you burn cat litter? You can, but there is a safer way to dispose of it – putting it in a trash bag. There are various ways to dispose of cat litter properly, and each has its disadvantages and benefits. Due to the wide variety of cat litter available, choosing a single solution is not always feasible.
Also, the various sewer systems and treatment facilities can make it challenging to compost cat feces appropriately. You can quickly dispose of cat waste by either taking it out of the box, wrapping it in a bag, or throwing it in the garbage. A biodegradable litter bag is also a good choice.
