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Everyone knows the benefits of using livestock manures in the garden, so what about the contents of your cats litter box? Cat feces contain two and a half times the amount of nitrogen as cattle manure and about the same amount of phosphorus and potassium. They also contain parasites and disease organisms that present significant health risks. Therefore, composting cat litter and its contents may not be a good idea. Lets find out more about cat feces in compost.
As a cat owner and gardener, you may be tempted to use your cat’s poop as fertilizer in your flower beds. After all, pet waste contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter that plants can use. However, fresh cat feces also poses some serious risks. In this article, we’ll explore the potential benefits along with health and environmental risks of using cat poop to fertilize flowers.
Can Cat Poop Be Used as Fertilizer?
Cat poop contains moderate levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients that plants need Here’s a quick rundown
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Nitrogen: Promotes green, leafy growth. Cat poop is relatively high in nitrogen.
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Phosphorus Important for roots, flowers and fruit Cat feces contain moderate phosphorus
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Potassium: Supports plant immunity and responses to environment. Cat poop is lower in potassium.
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Micronutrients Cat waste contains small amounts of calcium, magnesium and more.
As the poop breaks down, these nutrients are slowly released into the soil for plant roots to absorb. Composting cat feces with other organic materials can further enrich it with nutrients and beneficial microbes.
So in theory, cat poop fertilizer could give your garden a nutritional boost. But there are also good reasons to avoid using cat waste as fertilizer.
Dangers of Using Cat Feces as Fertilizer
While cat poop can add nutrients to soil, it also poses health risks if applied fresh:
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Parasites and pathogens: Cat feces may contain toxoplasma gondii, campylobacter, E. coli, salmonella and other pathogens that can infect humans.
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Environmental damage: Too much cat poop can leach nutrients into groundwater, causing algae blooms and reduced water quality.
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Pet health risks: Parasites in cat poop could spread to your own cat if they ingest contaminated soil.
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Odors: Fresh or improperly composted cat poop has an unpleasant ammonia smell that can linger.
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Weed seeds: Undigested seeds in cat feces can germinate and take over garden beds.
For these reasons, it’s best to avoid using fresh cat waste as fertilizer, especially near fruits and vegetables meant for human consumption.
Safely Using Composted Cat Poop as Fertilizer
If you want to use cat poop as fertilizer, first composting the waste is essential to reducing risks. Here are some tips:
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Choose an outdoor area away from edibles to fertilize, like flower beds or trees. Never near fruits and vegetables.
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Compost thoroughly using high heat to destroy pathogens. Maintain temperatures of at least 140°F for several weeks.
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Turn the compost frequently and add water as needed to encourage thorough, even heating.
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Only apply small amounts of finished composted poop to avoid nutrient overloads in soil.
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Wear gloves when handling waste or composted cat poop, and wash hands after.
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Prevent pets from accessing soil fertilized with composted cat waste.
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Wait 1 year before planting edibles in soil amended with cat poop compost.
Proper hot composting makes cat poop much safer to apply in ornamental gardens. But for food crops, it’s better to avoid using cat waste entirely.
Choosing a Cat Litter for Composting
To compost cat waste, the litter also needs to be biodegradable. Avoid standard clay litters, crystalline silica litter, and products with chemicals, fragrances or antimicrobials. Good compostable options include:
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Paper litter made from recycled paper, cardboard or newsprint
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Pine pellet litter made from compressed sawdust without additives
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Wheat litter made from straw
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Compressed wood litters
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Corn, wheat or grass seed litter
Stick to unscented, chemical-free varieties of these litters. They’ll break down in compost, unlike clay that remains intact indefinitely.
Hot Composting Cat Waste
Hot composting is required to destroy pathogens like toxoplasma and E. coli in cat feces safely:
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Build a large compost pile, at least 3 x 3 feet. The mass helps retain heat.
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Mix in coarse materials like wood chips to improve airflow. Turn the compost frequently.
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Monitor temperatures regularly. Heat compost to 140°F or above for an extended period.
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Allow finished compost to cure for 6+ months after heating before using.
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Do not use cat poop compost on edible gardens. Only fertilize ornamental plants.
The high heat eliminates risks like bacteria and parasites in cat waste. With the proper technique, you can produce a nutritious, pathogen-free compost.
The Bottom Line: Is Cat Poop Good Fertilizer for Flowers?
Cat poop certainly contains nutrients that could potentially benefit ornamental flowers. However, fresh cat feces poses major health risks if used as fertilizer for edibles or areas where children play.
Only use cat waste to fertilize non-edibles after proper hot composting. For food gardens, it’s safest to avoid cat poop altogether even when composted. With the right precautions, composted cat waste can be applied safely to boost non-edible flowers, trees and landscaping. But when in doubt, steer clear of fresh cat feces as fertilizer.
Deterring Pet Poop Composting in Garden Areas
Its clear that cat feces in compost is a bad idea, but what about cats that use your garden as a litter box? There are a few things you can do to discourage cats from entering your garden. Here are a few ideas:
- Spread chicken wire over the vegetable garden. Cats dont like to walk on it and cant dig through it, so other potential “toilets” will be more appealing.
- Lay cardboard coated with Tanglefoot at entry points to the garden. Tanglefoot is a sticky substance used to trap insects and discourage wild birds, and cats wont step on it more than once.
- Use a sprinkler with a motion detector that will come on when a cat enters the garden.
Ultimately, it is a cat owners responsibility to make sure that his pet (and its pet poop composting) doesnt become a nuisance. The best way to do this is to keep the cat indoors. You might point out to the cat owner that according to the ASPCA, cats that stay indoors contract fewer diseases and live three times longer than those that are allowed to roam.
Can Cat Feces Go in Compost?
Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that causes disease in humans and other animals, but cats are the only animal known to excrete toxoplasmosis eggs in their feces. Most people who contract toxoplasmosis have headaches, muscle aches, and other flu symptoms.
People with immunodeficiency diseases, such as AIDS, and patients who are receiving immunosuppressive treatment can become seriously ill from toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women are at significant risk because exposure to the disease can result in birth defects.
Reencle is the first electric composter to use an advanced microbial system to break down food waste that contributes to creating compost in just three weeks.
In addition to toxoplasmosis, cat feces often contain intestinal worms. Composting cat litter is not enough to kill the diseases associated with cat feces. In order to kill toxoplasmosis, a compost pile would have to reach a temperature of 165 degrees F (73 C), and most piles never get that hot.
Using contaminated compost carries the risk of contaminating your garden soil. In addition, some cat litters, particularly scented brands, contain chemicals that dont break down when you compost cat waste. Pet poop composting simply isnt worth the risk.
Is Cat Poop Good Fertilizer? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
Is cat poop good for flowers?
Using cat poop as fertilizer in your flower garden is generally not recommended, even if you compost it. Here are some reasons why: Pathogens: Cat feces can contain harmful pathogens, including Toxoplasma gondii, which can pose health risks to humans and other animals.
Does cat pee damage plants?
Is cat urine harmful to plants? Cat urine, in large amounts, can kill house plants. This is because cat urine contains ammonia.
How long does it take for cat poop to compost?
The feces of any omnivorous or carnivorous animals may contain harmful bacteria and should NOT come in contact with anything edible. After removing any solid waste, you can safely compost the rest of the litter and use it for ornamentals, flowers, shrubs or lawn after at least six months to a year.
Can I leave cat poo in the garden?
Cat feces, especially from stray cats can be harmful to your plants by releasing toxins, bacteria, and possibly pest/larvae into your soil. This isn’t like composted manure you would use for plants. Those animals tend to be herbivores and the manure is composted.
Can cat poop be used as fertilizer?
Only use cat poop to fertilize non-edible ornamentals after hot composting the waste properly. Mix cat poop with biodegradable litter and other organic materials to produce a safe, nutrient-rich compost fertilizer. Using cat poop as fertilizer in your garden may seem like a great way to reduce waste and improve…
Is cat poop good for plants?
So in theory, cat poop can provide a nutritional boost to your garden soil and plants. The feces break down over time, slowly releasing nutrients that plant roots can absorb. Composting cat waste with other organic materials like plant debris or cardboard can further enrich the feces with nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Does cat poop kill plants?
Cat poop itself may not kill plants, but the ammonia and salts in urine, as well as potential pathogens in feces, can damage or stress plants and soil health. How can I safely dispose of cat poop from my garden? Wear gloves and use a shovel or scoop to remove the poop from your garden.
Can you use cat poop in a garden?
Wait before harvesting: If fertilizing non-edible plants like flowers, wait at least a year before planting edibles in that soil. With the proper precautions, you can potentially use cat poop to boost your ornamental gardens, lawn, trees, and non-edible landscape plants. But steer clear of vegetable patches and herb gardens.
Does cat poop improve soil fertility?
The breakdown of feces releases nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which plants crave. A study found these components improve soil fertility and enhance plant growth (Source: Journal of Environmental Quality, 2018). Cat poop adds organic matter, enhancing soil structure.
Is cat poop bad for your garden?
It’s not all bad news. While it has risks, it holds potential perks. Like other animal manures, cat poop introduces essential nutrients into the garden soil. My own garden, particularly around Cleo’s favorite spots, sees lush growth where I occasionally discover nutrient-rich poop.