I've just seen an article on the BBC news website relating to the current cold weather, 'How to Survive' . The Met office is advising poeple to use cat litter, if they haven't got grit, to help stop the chance of slipping on your paths/property.

I thought I would share, as is something I hadn't thought of, but have just done to make access to my garden much safer for us & the dog. Allthough I will have to keep an eye on Buster as he is a 'snow licker' and I don't want him eating the cat litter.

never thought of that one ! I wonder if the local councils will use it as we seem to be low on grit , we will jhave all the local cats confused LOl

Thats great I have  a bin ful from when we had the cat so will get used up  thank you.

Yes I heard that too - presumably they mean the fullers earth type?  I also heard some supermarkets have already sold out!! 

It seems that ash is a viable alternative on hard surface areas - won't melt the ice but will provide traction :)

The next worry may well be the increase in salinity from run-off water affecting local waterways and bodies of water, such as ponds and lakes, and causing long-term damage...

> presumably they mean the fullers earth type?

There was no type mentioned, I have just used the cheap tesco cat-litter, it will all be swept up off the patio when everything has defrosted anyway :)

> The next worry may well be the increase in salinity from run-off water affecting local waterways and bodies of water, such as ponds and lakes, and causing long-term damage...

Good point. Hopefully all the melting snow & ice will dilute the salinity.
A little bit of salt is good for ponds, we put a few kilos of salt in our pond every spring, it helps promotes fish health, balance the nutrients of the watar helping to keep algea in check and helps kill off unwanted bacterias and parasites :)

I've always put a bag of cat litter in the car when its snowy.....just in case!   I don't recommend the paper/wood chip or clay stuff though - has to be the "expensive" catsan type for grip!

Personally, I prefer to use cat litter to dishwasher salt outside the backdoor - less ecologically damaging to the garden !

I would recommend one of the non-clumping types because when it thaws you'll get great big lumps of the stuff sticking to your shoes, paths etc. and it can set like cement!

new or used??? :o

It's probably nicer to carry new in your vehicle - used would be a bit stinky!

Here in Scarborough the council is taking sand off the beach to spread on the footpaths in the town centre!!

Just a point sharp sand does a similar job as it has "grit"for want of a better word in it and provides traction. If things get desperate. 

Just a point sharp sand does a similar job as it has "grit"for want of a better word in it and provides traction. If things get desperate. 

I was wondering, as they keep saying they don't have enough salt, the sea is full of salt, isn't there a way they could turn that into grit?

My local greengrocer - who also owns the hardware/pet shop a few doors along - has been using grey clumping fuller's earth cat litter along the pavement between his two shops. Today he must have run out, he's been using the wood pellet type - I asked him if it works as well and he said, most definitely!

all very well it working but I'm nearly out of cat litter for my elderly cat and trudged round loads of shops today to be greeted by empty shelves :(
can see me having to try and find a shop with compost for him instead!

A Cattery we used to board our cat in a few years ago used wood shavings for litter. If you're stuck try a horse feed/goods supplier.

Thats my thought exactly, I have two cats too, one isn't an outdoor cat (despite being encouraged) and the other
has refused to go out since we've had snow...

So I need my cat litter for what it's been produced for!

Peoples - Sharp sand works too you know !!

> one isn't an outdoor cat (despite being encouraged)

Probably realises that he/she will live a lot longer if they stay indoors!

> A Cattery we used to board our cat in a few years ago used wood shavings for litter. If you're stuck try a horse feed/goods supplier

Cattery I know uses sawdust and I wouldn't recommend it as it has no grip and just clumps together over the soles of your shoes.

> A Cattery we used to board our cat in a few years ago used wood shavings for litter. If you're stuck try a horse feed/goods supplier

Cattery I know uses sawdust and I wouldn't recommend it as it has no grip and just clumps together over the soles of your shoes.

Didn't mean instead of salt, but for litter trays if short :-)

Clyde is a big puddy tat (fluff tat) - not fat just big....paws like dinner plates bless him.
But he's the softest/daftest cat out who adores the Boxers and fuss from the humans.
Just really nervous of the 'big outdoors' and likes his creature comforts :)

sawdust i have got as keep other animals-unfortunatly my cat is of opinion if I don't provide proper cat litter then he doesn't have to use tray and unexpected spots round house will do nicely :(

Out of cat litter here for the CATS -and the shops around us are all sold out as everyone have bought it for their cars. :( 19 very stinky trays here -now what?!

i have no cats so have been using dishwasher salt, works a treat! Ran out today so tried to get some in the supermarket, but all gone and so has cat litter :( but then my OH informs me we have 4 bags of sand and grit in the shed! Grrrr!so did not need to use my dishwasher salt after all!

Was in Tesco's in Reading yesterday and they had the expensive Catsan cat litter left
but no other (and not much of that left either).

If you have a costco card or a friend that does and there is a reachable Costco they do cat litter.
Both Catsan and Litter Purrfect.
Litter Perfect is around £7 for a big container can't remember how much is in the big container now...

As soon as TV programmes saying re cat litter and gritting I knew it would affect us with cats that need cat litter
for what is was produced for...:(

Sorry Marianne I don't know what else they'd use....kiddies sand pit sand? Although that would be expensive and not
sure if it would clump..

just managed to get some from corner shop thankfully but for those who have run out I had planed on buying a couple of bags of compost for the cat instead as mine certainly will use that.

Don't know if anyone's near but Asda in Highbridge have a pallet load.

Lidl's had  loads of Fullers earth type cat litter in - well in one of the Dundee stores anyway - so it might be wirth looking at them or Aldi's (Who also stock cat litter!).