Cat litter is a necessity, particularly for those of us with indoor kitties. However, these products can be quite pricey. This is a guide about saving money on cat litter.
Better than cheap cat litter, free! Indoor cats were using sandboxes long before the current craze for pricey cat litter.
Open a garbage can liner into your litter box, fold the top back over the outside of the box and tuck the ends underneath the box. Lay a thick layer of old newspaper in the bottom of your litter box. Sprinkle on a generous coating of baking soda. Add approximately 1 1/2 inches of sand or even plain old dirt, just make sure it is dry.
I keep a 5 gallon bucket of sand sitting by the litter box. Each day, I add another 1 inch of sand. Every third day +/-, depending on how many cats you have and how often they use it, lift the bag out, seal it, and throw it away. Refill the box. It takes about 5 minutes.
If changed often, there are no odor problems. If you sit your litter box on a rubber backed doormat, it will prevent them tracking sand all over the house.
By slee15 from Alabama
Unless cheaper cat litter is a lot cheaper, which sometimes it is, it's worth paying more for a name brand. I have found over the years, after using all different brands, that the cheapest, usually the sandy kind, too, gets gummy, and has almost no odor control. I end up actually using more of it, so I'm not saving, unless it's drastically less money, which once in a blue moon it is. So look for sales, use coupons, and buy the better cat litter!
By julrobs from North Augusta, SC
Shred some newspaper and soak it in a Tbsp. of dish soap and water. Allow it to soak until the water gets dirty. Drain it off in a colander and re-soak it in plain water. Drain it again and mix in some baking soda. Squeeze out some of the water, breaking it up, and leave flat to dry for at least 48 hours. Now you have homemade cat litter.
By Karin from Benbrook, TX
I purchase a product called Dust or Mini Flake made from wood shavings but very fine. I use it for my cats' litter box. I have several cats because I rescued them so I change the box every morning.
The "dust" in my area is purchased at a garden supply store and costs under $7. It lasts 30 days because I have more than one cat and change it so often. It is economical, but it is also much better for the environment then other litters. It can be used in compost.
I have a lasagna vegetable garden and used it last year with newspaper to start the process. It absorbs moisture and helps breakdown the paper. The brand I am using now is called American Choice Mini Flake. Put the box in an area that is easily swept because it will track a little on paws. I purchased mine in NJ from Rosedale Mills.
By Barbara W.
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