Cat litter, 1 cat, six weeks.

Or that's what the blurb on the pack of supermarket pack of "crystals" claims.
It was on special a few weeks ago, so I bought a couple of packs for the geriatric indoorsman. (a cat, not a human )

I was interested to see how it performed since I almost always use the cheap expanded clay and then have trouble getting rid of it. I prefer the paper pellets because they are easy to break down in the compost, but they do tend to track everywhere and are not the greatest for odour control and my local pet store no longer stocks the brand I like.

Anyway I am favourably pleased with the crystals. Not much odour, even after several weeks and it seems to last pretty well therefore justifying the bigger price ticket. I decided to empty the tray right out this morning, and fleetingly wondered if I could "wash" the litter and dry it somehow to get either more use from it, or recycle it through potted plants as a water retainer. Tipping it out is what surprised me. In the bottom of the tray, the crystals appeared to have turned into a dissolved goo. So, no "washing" able to be done, but can I compost the remainder safely. I don't see anything in my reading about it that indicates toxicity, (other than cat urine that is) except purhaps for the blue crystals amongst it that may or may not be cobalt.

I cannot speak for surety but I tipped some out under our roses. It gradually vanished and the roses are still going

I have changed to the crystals for anyone locked inside......odour free, unlike the budget stuff...:rolleyes:

Me too....with three cats in a small hut the crystals are a real boon

I guess you could always empty it around the lemon/ citrus trees if you have one, cats urine I would imagine is made up of the same of composition as human pee, urea turning into nitrogen etc.
But you may need to water around the tree to dilute the amount of ammonia etc down. although in this weather/ rain probably wouldnt have to dilute it any. Just a thought, couldnt see anything to say dont do it (unless its a potted citrus tree, that could become quite smelly).

I have only ever used the recycled paper product when required and it is the most amazing compost under native trees. Assume they like the urea. I used it when I first moved here with one cat and recently when looking after a friend's two cats - and I'm sorry but the crystal stuff got biffed so fast as it was everywhere! Yuck!

I emptied the recycled litter every day of poos and it lasted with, two totally housebound cats for six days before I decided to biff it - but that had more to do with the owner returning the next day. NO smell once the poos were emptied and I could flush them with the hang on pellets down the toilet with no conscience. Brilliant product.

Cat litter, 1 cat, six weeks.

Vegie box, 1 cat, a life time.

little red digger;377347 wrote: Vegie box, 1 cat, a life time.

LRD, you have lost me completely. Please explain.

We have used crystals for a very long time with our cats. As you mention, low odour and it lasts quite a bit of time. Actually our mogs will come inside to use the litter box rather than go outside.... [}]

Anyhow if you are buying the crystals from C***** down, they have a home brand version now, and the W****house has been stocking a bigger pack for some time.

When we lived in Aust, we were buying a crystal pack for very little and it just lasts for quite some time so pleased the see the home brand options coming to the NZ market.

In the meanwhile, our chooks have been pecking at the older leftovers outside that didn't make it into a feed bag for proper disposal. And they are not dead yet.... [:0][:0]:o

Stikkibeek;377363 wrote: LRD, you have lost me completely. Please explain.

Nah don't... me thinks we get the picture..

I use a wood pellet type for the cattery and the house, works out cheaper than the budget brand because I use less of it and the cats seem to prefer it, (simple test by putting a tray of both out and see which one got used) Its delivered, and it goes in the compost, minus the poop.

TKP, is that the sort of pellets you buy for pellet fires, or are they specially formulated for litter? I have never seen them up here, hence the question, but could try the fire pellets.

What do you do with the crystals when you need to biff them? Apologies if I missed that in the thread but I liked the recycling ability of the recycled paper product.

Interesting too that I gave the cats the choice as their Mum left crystals in a litter tray for them, I produced my own one and they never looked once at the crystals as a choice. Perhaps it doesn't matter if they don't have a choice?

Yeez - there were crystals spread far and wide around the litter tray. Yuck to that!

special formulated for the cats, made by a company in Nelson, I could PM you contact details.