Make Sustainable Choices for Your Cat

Before you toss those empty cat food cans, packets, trays and bags, check your local recycling guidelines or how2recycle.info to see if they can be recycled. Look on the label of the container for the How2Recycle symbol and follow the guidelines. It just takes minutes but can make an impact in reducing landfill waste. Learn more about recycling your cat litter packaging with this how-to guide.

When shopping for pet food and other supplies, look for recyclable packaging such as aluminum cans and paper boxes. Some cat litter containers cannot be recycled, either because the paper bag is coated with wax or the tub is made of mixed plastics. Most ARM & HAMMER™ cat litters come in cardboard packaging that is recyclable in nearly every community – often conveniently curbside.

With approximately 8.5 million cats in Canada, that’s a lot of litter and waste so knowing how to dispose of kitty litter is important. There are three don’ts and a do when it comes to responsibly disposing used cat litter:

Don’t:

• Don’t flush cat litter or cat feces that you’ve scooped from the box. It can overwhelm your septic system and municipal water treatment plants are not designed to deal with the potential pathogens in pet feces, such as toxoplasma.
• Don’t dump your litter outside. Those same potential pathogens in pet feces can contaminate the soil or expose other animals to the germs.
• Don’t compost your cat litter for use in an edible garden. Any compost containing pet waste should not be used on plants that you plan to eat.

Do:

• Be sure to put used litter in a plastic trash bag, knot it tightly, and dispose with your trash.

Choose ceramic or glass water bowls for your cat rather than plastic ones. Plastic bowls can retain odors and residue, which can cause many cats to turn up their nose.

Consider using a metal scoop for your litter box maintenance. These tend to be more durable and longer-lasting than plastic. Many also have a non-stick coating that makes for easier litter scooping and clean up.

The litter you choose and how often you clean the litter box play a role in how long your litter pan will last. Daily or twice-daily scooping is not only better for you and your kitty, but also helps extend the life of the litter pan. Empty the entire litter box at least once a month to rotate out old litter.

Choosing ARM & HAMMER™ Slide™ Cat Litter can help you with this task. It doesn’t stick to the bottom of the litter box for easier clean-up and the hard clumping action means there is less chance for cat urine to soak into the litter pan.

Plant-based litter is a great option for those looking to maintain a clean litter box.

Try ARM & HAMMER™ Feline Pine™ Non-Clumping Cat Litter, made from pine shavings reclaimed from lumber production, or ARM & HAMMER™ HardBall™ Lightweight Clumping Litter. made from a renewable grain grown on U.S. farms.

For around 50% of cats, catnip has a playfully fun effect. Thanks to the natural chemical nepetalactone (try saying that 10 times fast), catnip can produce a safe, yet stimulant-like response when sniffed — getting your cat to roll around, flip over and act like a young kitten again.

It’s easy to grow your own catnip, then use it as filling to sew an easy DIY cat toy. You can also grow cat grass at home — a type of cereal grass that’s safe for your cat to eat. Either way, your indoor greens are helping you and your cat make greener choices.