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What would you do if you ran out of cat litter?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 21, 2007 1:53pm CST
Last week our truck broke down and just this past weekend we were finally able to get it into the shop for repair work. For the first five days or so, we did fine food wise since there's a small store just down the street. They have most of the supplies a human being would need to survive, all except for cat litter supplies. So, now after living a week without a vehicle, we're out of cat litter and no other options in sight.
We've thought about using shredded newspaper, but I'm not sure if that would be healthy for the cats. My spouse suggested we put paper towels into the bottom of the empty litter box. Leave it to a man to come up with that suggestion! That would be a mess.
So, now we're out of cat litter options. Does anyone have suggestions on what a cat owner should use if they run out of cat litter and have nowhere close to buy cat litter? The cat litter crunch will be up in a few days, when the repair work is done. So, we just need a short term solution. Suggestions are very much welcome!
2 people like this
7 responses
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
21 Aug 07
This is horrible. My only solution is to fill up the box with some garden dirt. I will admit that it is not a good solution, but it is a thought. That is what I would have to do (I don't have any sawdust around) if we ran out. Through I try to make sure that we have two weeks worth to spare, something I learned to do the hard way.
1 person likes this
@brendakaya (2332)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I've had this problem before. You can use dirt, or ashes. I can't really think of anything else. That's not something I like to run out of.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I don’t- I’m sorry- I don’t think the paper towel is such a bad idea- But I am not sure if the cat will go there?? How about letting the cat out to go to the bathroom- I think you said your cat is an indoor cat though- I’ve never run out before- I can’t imagine doing so- we usually have an extra container in the house-
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
22 Aug 07
I have heard of people using newspapers as cat litter, and as far as I know, it didn't hurt the cats. It's not something I've tried, or that I plan on trying anytime soon for that matter either, though.
I think that dirt, like so many other people have mentioned, is probably the best thing to use in this situation. As long as you only have cats (no dirty dogs to track the dirt elsewhere in your house), it shouldn't be too much of a mess.
We've started keeping a rather large supply of cat litter at our house after running out one time and not realizing it until we had dumped the pan. I was working at the time, so a trip to Walmart (20 miles away) wasn't really an option because I had to get up and go to work the next morning, and my baby was already in bed. My husband was getting ready to go to work when he decided to change the litter. He had to clean up a big mess in the morning, and then he and the baby were off for lots of cat litter. We've never come close to running out since. lol
@luvcatzzz (207)
• United States
22 Aug 07
shredded newspaper is fine. alot of vets recommend it after a neuter surgery or any other kind of surgery... such as declawing etc... so it's safe and doesn't hurt the kitty. i would have to shoot myself if i ran out of litter. :-D
@Peppersquirrel (437)
• United States
22 Aug 07
My solution is to leave the cat outside with the pan and fill it with dirt from the ground with newspapers underneath, if the community is safe.
@Lifez2short (4962)
• United States
22 Aug 07
I think I would probably go outside and get some dirt to put in the cat litter box. I know its not the cleanest sounding thing to do but that is exactly what I would do. So let me know what you have decided to do. Good Luck.
