Artificial Grass LitterBox

[Feste]

Has anyone used artificial grass as cat litter? Is it safe? I know dogs who have used this option when living in upper apartments, but I am wondering if anyone has tried it for their cats. Are there any chemical exposures or unsafe aspects that I should be aware of?

Context: I am eco conscious and try to minimize the impact the cats and our household has on the environment. We moved back to the upper Midwest to a basement apartment from NC where we used natural litter and could compost it in the woods. Our landlord doesn’t want us using corn, wheat, grass seed, etc. because of the mice (They are a thing here and appear to have suicidal tendencies as we’ve three cats, the landlord who lives on the first floor has a dog, and there are two outdoor cats owned by the neighbor who have daily window conversations with our cats. And the mice still invade the upstairs. I haven’t seen one down here yet.). My one cat can’t handle dust and I worry about the silica in clay litter, so it is out. My other cat loathes wood pellets and crumble. Crystal is out because it might cause plumbing issues when I wash out the pans. (And there is nowhere outside that I can do it, especially in the winter). And the paper pellets are useless as they don’t control odor and the apartment reeked of cat pee.

So while I know artificial turf isn’t the most eco-friendly option from a manufacturing perspective, I can wash and reuse it, which reduces consumption and carbon emissions from continuous litter orders or pickups. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Kieka]

My cats are indoor/outdoor, in my yard they have access to grass, gravel, hard dirt, loose soil and mulch. Their preference? Mulch. Although I do have one that will come inside to use the litter box. I have never seen any of them go to the bathroom in the grass. It makes sense because cats want to dig a depression and bury it after. Grass is harder to dig up and bury in. In fact out of all their options, I am more likely to see them trying to dig up hard packed dirt then the grass.

Based on that and knowing cats natural inclinations, I am fairly certain artifical turf would be unsuccessful. If you tried it, your cats would be more likely to start using anything else that they can find as an option that they can move out of the way and cover with after. There is very likely a reason no manufacturer has has success cross marketing dog artifical turf pee pads for cats and why cats in airports with pet relief stations still need their owners to bring portable litter box options.

There is a litter box that uses washable litter granules, CatGenie: Self-Washing, Self-Flushing Cat Box.. Which might fit your desire for environmentally friendly non edible dust free option that a cat will actually use.

 

[Alldara]

Walnut shell litter is an option. I've lived in two places with rats and mice and they never ate it. Rats and mice will peel peas and chickpeas before eating them so I doubt they will go for shell litter.

Okocat paper doesn't have as much of the ammonia issue as say Yesterday's News. It absorbs quickly and I found it to last a long time and no need to scrub down the box.

 

[Feste]

Good to know! I will try the Okocat. Everything is in glass jars or the fridge in the kitchen and the cats get wet food, so it is always picked up. The only thing left for mice to have interest in is the litter or textiles and wood, I suppose. So I worry a bit that they might resort to shells!

 

[Alldara]

Good to know! I will try the Okocat. Everything is in glass jars or the fridge in the kitchen and the cats get wet food, so it is always picked up. The only thing left for mice to have interest in is the litter or textiles and wood, I suppose. So I worry a bit that they might resort to shells!

Theyre much more likely to eat insects that are in the walls, etc (if mice can get in, insects can too!)

But hopefully the Okocat will be at least satisfactory and you won't have to test it.

If you do have to test it, get some mint tea bags and sprinkle that into the litterbox, mixed with the litter. Cats like the smell of mint, but rodents don't! We drove them out of our backyard like that!

 

[Feste]

I actually have some mint growing in pots by the windows. As far as bugs, we have been lucky in that dept. only a spider here and there, which the cats usually hunt down.