We all know that zero waste is the way to go. Many people are looking for zero waste tips and ideas, and here we have 15 zero waste tips and ideas! We want you to be able to enjoy your zero-waste lifestyle without any problems or worries. This blog post will provide you with zero waste cat’s best zero waste tips so that you can find what works best for you, which will, in turn, make it easier on the environment.
Table of Contents
1 Pre-make your kitty litter
In a world where resources are stretched thin, it may seem wasteful to use so much cardboard when you can scoop the poop in a plastic bag. But cat owners who want to reduce their environmental impact should consider making their kitty litter from newspapers or old cardboard boxes.
2 Keep it local
Don’t make another trip to the pet store – cats like familiar surroundings. If possible, re-use something your cat already has at home – an old towel will make for a cozy bed; aluminum foil can be used as extra scratching space, and paper bags (with no handles) are great for hiding treats…
3 Use less plastic
It may ease your life as a pet owner, but all those doggie bags can add up. One way to cut down on the waste is to reuse old yogurt and other plastic containers as food and water bowls.
4 Make toys out of your trash
With some creativity and a few basic tools, you can make fun new toys for the kitty without spending a dime. Old newspaper or fabric scraps can be knotted into balls or rolled into tubes that cats love to bat around the house. If you use any glue, make sure it’s nontoxic for your cat – check with your vet first if unsure. For a toy that’s even more fun for your cat to chase, try tying a length of twine (or yarn) to a ping pong ball and dangle it from the top of a door frame. The weight will keep the string upright as the ball swings back and forth – the kitty should be entertained for hours!
5 Harvest your food
Cats sometimes like to snack on fresh veggies and other healthy foods, so save those scraps and chop them up finely before offering them treats. While you’re at it, check out your yard for any plant species that are safe for cats to eat – search online or ask your vet if unsure. Once Kitty starts nibbling on some dandelions or catnip, you won’t have to spend money on store-bought treats.
6 Let Kitty do the hunting
Cats are natural predators and love to be active, so it’s time to get fishing! You can turn just about any string into a quick cat toy that will surely entertain for hours. Take an old shoelace – tie one end tightly around a stick or pencil. Then attach some small strips of scrap fabric or paper near the other end, so they hang loose – kitty should have no trouble batting these all over your living room. This also works great with rolled-up socks, pens, pencils, etc. – don’t forget to secure it tightly!
7 Useless tap water
Most cats prefer fresh, running water to the stuff that’s hiding in bowls all day – so convince Kitty to drink from the sink by simply adding a reusable faucet filter. This way, you’ll save money on bottled water, and plastic bottles for your cat will be a thing of the past…
8 Give it away
Don’t throw out that old toy or scratching post just because the kitty is bored with it – find someone else within your community who may need it instead! Or even better, offer to take care of their pets while they’re away on vacation – always wanted free pet sitting? Now’s your chance to score!
9 Use an old rag rug as a kitty scratcher
One way to save money on cat products is by making them from scratch. Save those small scraps of fabric from old clothes and jeans – you can use these as scratching pads for Kitty instead of buying expensive cat scratchers at the store. Sew the pieces into a simple rectangle shape with a cotton thread that matches or complements your existing decor. You can even cut up an old towel and attach it with cotton thread along the top edge – this way kitty will have something soft to lay on while scratching away at the fabric below…
10 Use a universal drain plug
If you have one of those fancy kitty fountains that gurgle all day loudly, it probably costs you up to $20 bucks in electricity – not to mention the water spilling out onto your floor. Try switching over to a standard plug-in water fountain for cats instead. For around $15+, you can purchase one that works with any bowl or pan – so you don’t have to worry about finding specific sizes. And if you need some extra motivation, try pointing out how much money you’re saving…kitty won’t be able to resist!
11 Stop buying cat food cans
Did you know that most canned foods are lined with plastic that can seep into food and cause health problems for your cat over time? So you’re better off buying the big bags of dry kibble since these do not contain any chemicals or additives. Just read the package carefully before making a purchase – many kibbles are filled with plant-based ingredients like corn, which cats find difficult to digest. Find out what type of diet best suits Kitty’s unique needs by consulting with a vet or animal nutrition specialist.
12 Use a self-watering planter
Feeding your kitty takes up about one-third of your monthly expenses, so why not try to save some money on water bills as well? You can create a self-watering planter in just a few minutes, which will utilize plant life to keep your furry friend hydrated at the same time. The best part? This project requires nothing more than an old plastic bottle and some potting soil from the dollar store – easy peasy.
13 Use homemade toys
Cats love to play with all sorts of different objects – so try teaching them how fun it can be when you make these items yourself! Try using an old sock filled with dried beans or rice – secure the open end tightly with a rubber band and give it a toss on the floor. Or take that string we talked about earlier and tie several knots along the length, leaving about three inches at one end. And last but not least – what about that old cardboard box you’re just waiting to throw out? Be creative and challenge your kitty to an epic game of hide-and-seek!
14 Use a combination litter box/tray
If you’re tired of having to sift through cat litter every day, try making your low-cost version right at home! This DIY option is simple – take any shallow plastic bin with a lid and cut out two holes on the side opposite the handle. Fill it up halfway with soil, and then place Kitty’s favorite plant or flowers inside so they can soak up excess moisture too. Change out the soil once a week, and you’ll have an all-natural litter box that saves you money!
15 Make your kitty wipes
If Kitty spends most of her time indoors, she’s probably exposed to quite a few bacteria, which can cause illness over time. Keep immune systems strong by making kitty wipes at home – they’re easy to make using toilet paper or baby tissues along with pure water. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle for quick use whenever Kitty needs some cleaning up!
FAQ’s
How do I stop my cat from eating waste?
One of the biggest challenges for me transitioning to zero waste was my cat, Pigeon. When I decided to stop buying cat food, the first thing I did was spend hours looking up homemade recipes, only to realize it would take way too much time and effort. Materials required for cooking your cat food also seemed wasteful, so I turned to wet foods once again. This isn’t ideal either since most wet foods fill with water (a terrible resource-wasting practice), but Pigeon eats less than previously and seems just as satisfied.
How does cat litter reduce waste?
Cat litter reduces waste by not adding to landfills from cat waste. There is no need to use biodegradable plastic bags in homes with cats and flush clumps of cat litter down the toilet as we do with tree fire ash (to reduce water contamination). Cat litter can be used as fertilizer for plants or dumped in a compost bin; used kitty litter should be double-bagged and disposed of properly at a landfill site.
Cat owners who decide to hire an outdoor cat should mimic outdoor house cats’ behavior by using sand instead of clay-based litters, which tend to stick to their paws. Sunlight kills bacteria that aid decomposition, so it’s best used on walks or outside play areas frequented by the cat.
Can I flush cat poop down the toilet?
Only cat poop and litter that is 100% biodegradable, like grain-based litter (like Yesterday’s News), can be flushed. Bits of poop and kitty litter will go down the drain and eventually make their way to a water treatment facility. It will be separated from sewage and then processed at a sewage plant into fertilizer for plants. Please only flush if you know your area also recycles sewage byproducts into the drinking water because otherwise, you’re just sending your poop to the same place as drinking water.
Can you put used cat litter in the garden?
Some people do it to reduce their cat’s carbon paw print. The ASPCA explains that the litter will have no negative effect on soil or plant life, but they often recommend against it because of the possibility of cats using your garden as a bathroom.
Can you put cat litter in the garbage?
Many people will say yes, but this is not a good idea! Litter can be put in compost or garbage depending on your location and if it’s biodegradable. Cat litter should go into the trash in most areas as it does not typically break down fast enough to meet composting guidelines. However, some cats have sensitive paws that may need the finer texture of clumping clay litter which is not meant for compost.
Conclusion:
Whether it’s to keep your cat from scratching up furniture or simply out of a desire to reduce your household waste, you can take these 15 simple zero waste cat tips and ideas to heart. All is the best for reducing your impact on our environment.
