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Cheaper Kitty Litter: Alternatives to Expensive Scoopable Cat Litter
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Winning the Cat Litter Battle, Cheaply
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Cutting the Cost of Cat Litter
Does anyone have any money-saving tips on kitty litter? We use the scoopable kind (which we like), but it gets expensive. Any suggestions?
Kelly S.
Sam Does It Again!
The best and cheapest cat litter that I have found is at Sam's Club. It's called Litter Clean. It's scoopable, and it's about $8 for a 40-pound bucket. It scoops the cleanest of all the cat litters I have used. Clumps don't break, and solid waste dries out quickly. I have two cats that share a box, and two buckets last about six months.
Vicki
Great Cat Litter Buy
If the reader has an Aldi (discount food store) in her area, she can buy a 14-pound jug of scoopable cat litter for only $2.49. I have yet to find a store in my area that sells it as cheap or cheaper. And the quality is great!
Loretta B. in Naperville, IL
Consider Using Ground Corn
Ground corn works beautifully. It clumps well, has a soft texture and is non-toxic. Adding a shake of baking soda after filling the litter pan increases odor absorption. After scooping out the waste, the remaining corn litter may be put into the compost or tossed around the yard for fertilization. Ground corn makes an excellent fertilizer with anti-fungal properties. It can also be mixed with water to make a soothing dip for pets with flea or skin allergies. Ground corn may be purchased at Feed Stores, Farm and Ranch Supplies and many Nurseries for about $6 to $8 for a 50-pound bag. Be sure to ask for ground corn, not corn meal.
Kristie in Boerne, Texas
Try Horse Bedding
My daughter has many cats and uses horse bedding as cat litter. It is scoopable, economical and is 100% biodegradable. It consists of natural wood fibers. She purchases 40-pound bags at a grain and feed store for under $7.
A
Earn "Paw Points"
If you buy Fresh Step cat litter in bulk (like at Sam's or Costco), you can sign up for "Paw Points" on the Fresh Step website. You earn points every time you buy the bulk size of the kitty litter. With your points, you can buy different pet accessories or coupons for free litter.
Anne
Make a 50/50 Mix
Mix the scoopable brand of kitty litter with a plain generic brand of kitty litter. Do this at a 50/50 mix. This still allows the litter to clump up from the moisture, but will stretch the litter further. You might want to try to mix it with more of the generic litter, until you see that the litter doesn't clump anymore. My mother has done this for years, and it really works well!
Also, if you could be more flexible, shredded used paper (even newspaper) can be used instead of cat litter. There's no dust, and it's very affordable. Simply change the paper everyday. Line the pan with used plastic grocery bags before placing the paper inside, and it will be even easier to clean up.
Candy in Alabama
Rabbit Food?
We buy a 50-pound bag of rabbit food (compressed grass pellets) at the feed store for $8. We put about a 1/2-inch in the bottom of the litter box and scoop out the clumps every evening and refill. It's totally safe to flush it down the sewer and biodegradable. It doesn't smell, doesn't make much dust, and our cat seems to like it well enough.
Brenda in Washington
Check Out These Two Suggestions
- Don't use the clumping clay litter, pearls or crystals. They are full of awful chemicals. They are usually scented (a cat's sense of smell is very strong and the strong scent may make them potty elsewhere), and when they clean themselves, the clay becomes like cement in their intestines. If you have a kitty with asthma or allergies or if you have either condition, the dust kicked up from that type of litter can also aggravate it. Instead, try a biodegradable cat litter made of wheat, corn, pine or recycled newspaper. We use feline pine. Not only does it work well, but also it's not any more expensive than any other litter. It smells good and it absorbs the odor better. Plus, our cats love it. At first, they weren't crazy about it, so we mixed it with the clay kind and gradually added more pine and less clay. If all that isn't enough, it's also good for the environment.
- Change your cat food. I know you're wondering what that has to do with litter, so let me explain. Most commercial cat food is mostly fillers, preservatives and chemicals. If you really knew what was in your cat's food, you'd never want to touch it again. But I'll spare you the gross details. Suffice to say, it's mostly junk. What happens when junk is ingested? Most of it becomes waste. So, if you switch to a better food, your cats will use the bathroom less often (and they'll be healthier). We like Flint River Ranch natural cat food and so do our cats, but there are other good products. It's more expensive than the stuff you get at the grocery store, but it lasts longer. And you save money on the litter.
This I'd Love To See!
Years ago, I taught our family cat to use the toilet. I got a kit that had a plastic insert that was set over the toilet bowl with a little kitty litter in it. Once kitty started using that tray, I cut out a little bit of the center, then a little more and a little more. Pretty soon, the cat just used the toilet all the time.
Sparki
Take the Next Step
- Toilet training your cat? Give it a try! CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit
- Subscribe to Inflation Fighters email newsletter. Each week we'll give you practical ways to fight back against the inflation that's trying to wreck your budget!
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