Composting advice needed

[Dianaalice]

My niece has put the gravel type cat litter down for her rabbits with great success.

I wanted to know if it was OK to use this on the compost heap. I have looked to try and find what the gravely stuff comprises of and I can't find out.

Does anyone of you use this to compost or do you think the "gravel" may be a bit suspect?

Hope someone can help! xxx

[rustylady]

My niece has put the gravel type cat litter down for her rabbits with great success.

I wanted to know if it was OK to use this on the compost heap. I have looked to try and find what the gravely stuff comprises of and I can't find out.

Does anyone of you use this to compost or do you think the "gravel" may be a bit suspect?

Hope someone can help! xxx

You say gravel type cat litter - do you know the brand name?

[Dianaalice]

Yes, she said it is Bob Martin's economy cat litter. ????? I think!

[WendyC]

Looked on their website but all sorts of cat litter but not an economy one...


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[rustylady]

Well this one says natural wood pellets Braintree Pet Supplies - Discount Pet Foods Bob Martin Tact Cat Litter Economy Free Local Delivery (Braintree Areas)

Have a look at the bag - it should say what it is made of.

[Penellype]

Cat litter tends to be either biodegradable (which can be wood), silica or clay. The wood pellets will rot down, the silica and clay won't. If it looks like gravel it is probably not wood.

More info What is in Cat Litter | Clay Litter | Silica Litter | Natural Litter | petMD

[Guest]

I would say suspect. Many are treated one way or another -usually to hide odours.

[Two_Sheds]

the gravelly stuff is clay, plus "cat litter manufacturers use a number of additives, including baking soda to absorb smells, fragrances to mask unpleasant scents, and antibacterial agents to kill odor-causing bacteria."

C&EN: WHAT'S THAT STUFF? KITTY LITTER


Cat owners could use MPC in the trays instead of purchased kitty litter

[Penellype]

I'd be slightly concerned about putting cat poo on the compost heap as there is a risk of toxoplasmosis, which may not be killed by the composting process and can survive in the soil for about a year.

[WendyC]

It's from litter trained rabbits. Agree wouldn't add cat poo.


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[Dianaalice]

Thanks Two Sheds for coming up trumps yet again. Need I ask if you would compost this when it is being used by rabbits rather than cats?

I know you compost nearly everything else and after reading that info it seems as though it might be OK.

[Two_Sheds]

...cat poo on the compost heap as there is a risk of toxoplasmosis, which may not be killed by the composting process and can survive in the soil for about a year.

As you know, I compost my dogs' poop:

1) I only use it on flower beds
2) when the dalek is full, the compost is left to cold-rot for a year before I rake it out
3) my dogs are wormed regularly, so there're no worms in the compost

if you would compost this when it is being used by rabbits

I'd consider rabbit poop to be as safe as horse, and we are happy to chuck horse poop around the place, with abandon
Personally, I compost all the poop from my GPs, parrots & dogs