paper bits as kitty litter?

[ginnyinWI]

We bought a new paper shredder that cuts the paper into little curly diamond sized bits. As I was emptying it for the first time I had the idea that it might work as kitty litter. But I thought I'd see if any of you have tried it and whether it worked or was a huge disaster.

Possible problems with it: it smells bad, the paper packs down too much, or the cats track it/fling it all over the room. Am I nuts or is this something that might work?

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. We used shredded paper after Kittimus Prime had his bladder/urethra surgery.

The vet told us to use shredded paper as it would lessen the chances of infection from dyes and perfumes. It smelled horrendous though.

[intaglio]

2. Not good, you need to treat it to improve absorbtion

Over here we can buy pelletised paper, it is absorbent but the urea converts very rapidly to ammonia and can be eye-watering.

Better is pelleted wood "flour" (very fine sawdust) very absorbent and deodourising. It is possible to use sawdust directly but it will stick to the cats paws.

[ginnyinWI]

3. we've gone through our cedar and pine phase

Both of them very dusty and track everywhere.

Looks like I'm going to forget the paper litter idea because who needs the smell.

[irisblue]

4. tried it, cats not happy

i wasn't happy, basement smelly.i mix the shreddings with used kitty litter if i have really sensative stuff. ID thief would have to be very desperate to sift thru that mess

[CountAllVotes]

5. World's Best Cat Litter

I just got a free bag of this stuff. My cat would not use her box. I am glad that the problem was figured out in time. I fear she could have gone sick on me, just what I don't need.



Don't even bother to try it IMO and it costs a load of $$$ besides.

What a joke! They act like it is the greatest thing since sliced bread NOT!

As for the shredded paper idea, I wouldn't recommend that either, but it seems that it is likely safe enough. You'll know soon enough.

[ginnyinWI]

6. We've been looking at all kinds of brands since last summer

Before that we were using PetSmart's brand, but it is so terribly dusty. I read up on kitty litter at Amazon--lots of people writing reviews. Tried a few of the cedar and pine ones--they smell nice and are lightweight to carry home, but the cats sneeze from it and it tracks all over. Tried Precious Cat, which is pretty good and dust-free--got it on sale at PetSmart. But it's expensive when not on sale, and it only comes in 40# bags--oof!

So after six months of this, it finally came down to looking for the most inexpensive dust-free brand of scoopable clay litter. And believe me there are not very many that say they are dust-free. It's usually all about fragrance, but what I want is not to have the entire basement coated with dust from litter boxes (we have two double-sized boxes and one regular one for three cats--it's more like having five boxes; the Maine Coon mix appreciates the roomier box size.)

In the end I got a surprise: I found one at Walmart, their own brand, Special Kitty Multiple Cat scoopable clay-- 99.99% dust free and is cheaper than anything else I've tried lately. Like $7.48 for a 28 lb box. Doesn't have a strong perfume smell either--just these little blue things that supposedly help kill the odor. So far so good: we'll stick with this one I think. It was a surprise because their brand of pine litter is the most horrible one out of all the ones we tried.

Yes I will admit to buying at Walmart. To me, all the big box stores are alike.

[CottonBear]

7. Try Cat's Pride Premium Natural Scoopable Litter. It's made in USA & perfume/dye free

and recommended by the American Humane Association. I paid about $8 for a 20LB container at my local Publix supermarket.

I have an elderly, deaf and diabetic cat. She hated the litters with super strong perfumes (and so did I) and the non-scooping litters simply couldn't handle the amount of urine that she passes. The Cat's Pride litter is not so fine and sandy that it tracks everywhere. I do use a litter mat and I keep a little brush and dustpan set next to the litter box to sweep up the litter that does get tracked out. I am VERY happy with this litter. I encourage you to try it if it's available in your area. I tried about a dozen kinds of litter before finding the Cat's Pride Premium Natural Scoopable Litter. Cat's Pride makes other types of litter too so be sure to look for the Natural litter.

[ginnyinWI]

8. Thanks. No Publix around here (Wisconsin) but I can look around. n/t