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Composting wood pellet cat litter

karenbathgatekarenbathgate Posts: 30
in Problem solving
I have read conflicting advice about composing cat litter. I use wood pellets and pop poo down toilet. Appreciate some nasty bugs can be left in the litter but they and other animals poop in my garden. Such as badgers, foxes and hedgehogs! So, can I compost it and is it ready for garden once smell has gone? I would also like to know if I can sprinkle on garden without any harm. Thank you.

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    The advice I have read is not to add dog or cat faeces to compost because it adds to the risk of Toxocara infection.
    It is true that the parasite is likely to be present already, but it doesn't make much sense to increase the probability of coming across it. It means animals that visit your garden are more likely to become infected and spread it around, and it means that you have to be more wary and wear gloves all the time when handling compost. It is a really nasty thing to get with serious consequences and something one would wish to avoid if possible.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    We have always added wooden pellet style cat litter to the compost - minus poo - and have had no problems.  It's just chucked on and makes great compost as long as you have a good general mix of green and brown waste.   Never used it straight on the garden tho.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    We have no cats but I buy it specially for the compost bin at the back door for kitchen waste!
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    If the compost is only going to be used on flower borders I don't see a problem as long as gloves are always worn for gardening.  I wouldn't use it in a vegetable garden.
  • karenbathgatekarenbathgate Posts: 30
    Obelixx said:
    We have always added wooden pellet style cat litter to the compost - minus poo - and have had no problems.  It's just chucked on and makes great compost as long as you have a good general mix of green and brown waste.   Never used it straight on the garden tho.
    Thank you for your response. That is just what I am doing. so I shall carry on then. I am not convinced sprinkling it directly on garden is a good idea so will not try it! Thanks again, Karen
  • karenbathgatekarenbathgate Posts: 30
    Lily Pilly said:
    We have no cats but I buy it specially for the compost bin at the back door for kitchen waste!

    Lily Pilly said:
    We have no cats but I buy it specially for the compost bin at the back door for kitchen waste!

    Hello Lilly - thank you for your response. Before  I had cats and their waste litter, I used shredded newspaper as my dry compost material. Same idea! Did make me smile knowing you buy litter for compost x
  • karenbathgatekarenbathgate Posts: 30
    KT53 said:
    If the compost is only going to be used on flower borders I don't see a problem as long as gloves are always worn for gardening.  I wouldn't use it in a vegetable garden.
    Thank you for your response. Yup only for flowers and have to use gloves - cats and other animals poop in my garden! I think all responses suggest it is good to compost as long as care is taken. Thank you again, Karen. 
  • karenbathgatekarenbathgate Posts: 30
    Buttercupdays said:
    The advice I have read is not to add dog or cat faeces to compost because it adds to the risk of Toxocara infection.
    It is true that the parasite is likely to be present already, but it doesn't make much sense to increase the probability of coming across it. It means animals that visit your garden are more likely to become infected and spread it around, and it means that you have to be more wary and wear gloves all the time when handling compost. It is a really nasty thing to get with serious consequences and something one would wish to avoid if possible.
    Hello. Thank you for your response. Totally agree, I would not pop poop in compost bin or in garden. I pop down loo! But cats and others do poop in my garden, unfortunately! I do wear gloves but your response is a good reminder to me to take care. Thank you.
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