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Tip Store: Pets: Cats

Easy Clean Cat Litter Trays

I never pay anything for cat litter. Instead I go to a local newsagents shop near home bringing back bundles of newspapers from them, after asking them nicely and also offering to pay for them (the answer is always no). These bundles last for a year and my cat loves to scratch into the paper pages I lay in the tray. It is easy to clean up also by just grabbing the four corners and placing in a bag in the bin.
Faye Lording

Menu Variety is the Key to Happy Cats

I have three cats (one really fussy one that only eats tinned food in gravy)...but the other two I feed on a mix of 1kg kangaroo mince and 1 kg whatever other mince is on special. To this I add 2 crushed tablets of multi B vitamin, and 4 crushed calcium tablets. The multi B contains thiamine which is vital to cats, as they don't produce it in their bodies, but have to consume it via their diet. I find that if I don't buy people grade mince, the cats will turn their noses up at it (dogs are so much less fussy). I freeze this in 500g batches, which gives me 9 serves each time I get one from the freezer.

I use the same size serve of this meat for dogs, but bulked out with grains and veggies. I kept a large dog healthy on this for years by adding the equivalent of two big Maccas drink cups worth of rice and veggies to the meat each night. Or you can cheat by buying a high fibre horse food, and mixing it with water and the meat (saves you doing the cooking).
Contributed by Kate Crawford

MOO Cat Food Recipe

My cat had a UTI so I totally understand how costly special wet food can be!
I feed my cat this mixture:
- 60% K-Roo kangaroo mince ($10.50 for 1kg pack of 100% kangaroo mince from Coles or Woolworths)
- 35% VIP Fussy Cat canned food
- 5% steamed pumpkin and broccoli puree.
I would completely make my cat's food from scratch but he won't eat it, he has to have some canned food.

Here's a from scratch recipe:
- 60% kangaroo mince (it's very high in protein)
- 25% regular beef mince (you could skip this for younger cats, older cats need some fat for energy)
- 10% sardines for omega 3
- 5% steamed pumpkin and/or broccoli or sweet potato for vitamin C
Combine and freeze in daily portions.
I also give my cat a pea sized amount of extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil every 3 days to help with hairballs and to give him a shiny coat!
Contributed by Lisa Di-Mauro

Simple Diet Keeps Cats Happy

I am a cat breeder and we feed minced beef and a good quality biscuit. This contains everything a cat needs in their diet. The cat biscuit has all of the supplements you need. Been breeding Ragdolls for 19 years and their coats are beautiful and we win many awards at the shows. You could feed just tinned fish like sardines or any variation of beef, chicken.
Contributed by Pam Baker

​Saving on Kitty Litter and My Back

​I buy a 20 litre bag of clumping kitty litter at the Pet Warehouse. It is even cheaper if you buy two bags at a time. The 20 litre bags are heavy to cart from cupboard to tray all the time, so my kitty litter is decanted into clean, empty 2 litre ice cream containers. I get approximately 13 containers of kitty litter from each 20 litre bag.  In this house, I store the containers in the cupboard in my laundry. As the bathroom, where the tray in use is, is in the house, I take 3 full containers into the house every weekend. These are stored in the bottom of the bathroom cabinet. Last house it was in the bottom of the linen press in the hall next to the bathroom as the laundry was downstairs. I clean the kitty litter daily and top up with fresh litter as needed. Having the kitty litter in the ice cream containers saves my back as I insist on saving money by buying it in bulk.
Contributed by Pat Parkin, 25th January 2017

​Shredded Paper Makes Free Litter

We use shredded newspaper for kitty litter and change it everyday and give the tray a rinse each day. It doesn't take long and is free as the newspaper we use is also the free one delivered every week. You could also put some bi-carb soda in the bottom to absorb the smell.
​Contributed by Heather Diss, 6th February 2014

​Kitty Litter Crystals

I buy crystals in bulk. They are more expensive than other brands, however, they are also much more absorbent and much longer lasting. Here is the URL http://www.petbarn.com.au/cats/cat-litter-trays-accessories/litter/trouble-trix-angel-silica-litter-1.html
Contributed by Lia Bretag, 6th February 2014

​ Website: http://www.petbarn.com.au/cats/cat-litter-trays-accessories/litter/trouble-trix-angel-silica-litter-1.html

​Pine Fresh Cat Litter

I have been using pine shavings as cat litter for over a year with success. They come in a large bag for about $11.
​Contributed by Claudia Peterkin, 6th February 2014

​Keeping Cat Litter Sweet

We have two cats. They have outdoor runs but I keep a litter tray in the bathroom for their inside visits. I use Breeders Choice litter for this tray which is made of recycled paper pellets. I find that with a litter scoop you can carefully pick up the wet or dirty pellets and droppings and safely flush them down the loo (in several batches if necessary!). It is important to do this daily at least; cats are very fussy creatures about hygiene. As our loo is in the bathroom we check the tray whenever one of us is in there. I also line the tray with a sheet of plastic I cut from big bin liner bags. After each "use", or when you notice a smell, I sprinkle a teaspoon of Purina cat litter deodoriser over the tray. You don't need much, it is safe for cats and the smell won't put them off using the tray. 300g lasts me a year. When the paper does need replacing I put it in the compost, or you could wrap and dispose of in the rubbish bin. For the trays in the outside runs I use plain old dirt from my yard. I remove solids and wet dirt from the trays each day and place in a lidded bucket with some earth in it. Bacteria in the soil seem to keep odour under control. Once a week I dig fresh dirt from an area in the yard and refill the cleaned trays. The hole is filled with the bucket of solids and the old soil from the trays. Cut it up with the shovel to mix dirt with everything, water it down and it will all break down well, no smell and nothing on the surface. Good for next year's garden. In wet weather I keep a covered plastic bin of fresh soil ready to use as cats don't like to use wet soil in their tray. Hope this is useful. As well as keeping things sweet and tidy, this setup costs me about $6 week for paper litter and possibly $20 a year for plastic bin liners and litter deodoriser, plus some digging time for the dirt trays.
​ Contributed by Ruth Gregor, 9th February 2014

​Only Shop For the Essentials

Do your grocery shop late at night! Most supermarkets these days are open much later than the other shops and businesses. Therefore, you are not easily distracted and only limited to buying what you went for - the essentials! Saving plenty of dollars.
​Contributed by Trina Naylon, 7th February 2014

​No Smell Kitty Litter

In place of kitty litter, I use cheapest chicken layer pellets, these can usually be purchased on special for between $11 - $13 for 20kg for local pet store. I have a male cat and have never had a problem with odour. When kitty does #1, leave for 2 hours, tip tray to expose a little volcano of solid layer pellets, remove with pooper scooper and smooth out remained of pellets, you can add another cup full is desired. For a #2 just remove as normal with a pooper scooper. Trays are thoroughly cleaned weekly, making sure not to used anything scented as kitty usually will not like this.
​Contributed by Cynthia Clements, 7th February 2014

​Clean Cat Litter

I have always found a layer of carb soda does the trick. Put the carb soda into a clean, lined litter tray and top with the litter.
​Contributed by Kerryn Calvert, 6th February 2014

​Have a Kitty Litter Routine

When you empty, and wash them out, use Jaysol and a scrubby to clean, rinse, dry and put a layer of bicarb in first then the litter. I have two trays, scoop every day, and empty each week. I have used this method for years. At one stage thanks to unexpected pregnancies I ended up with 8 kittens, as well as the three parents.
​ Contributed by Rosemarie Wheeler, 6th February 2014

​Litter Stretcher

This is helpful to cat owners. If you line the litter tray with double paper towel and sprinkle with bi carb of soda , the kitty litter will last longer and maybe save you time as you do not have to change it as often. .
​Contributed by Gayle Woods, 30th November 2011

​Litter Tray Cleaner

I have found another use for the Cheapskates laundry powder!! We use crystal litter for our cat and at the end of a fortnight the plastic of the litter tray can have a urine smell/stain left, regardless of how well we 'scoop' the tray. I have previously tried several cleaners to get rid of this smell without success, and of course I wanted a safe option for our cat. I have found if I use 1 teaspoon of the Cheapskates laundry powder, add half a cup of Vinegar and swish around till it stops fizzing, then rinse well with water, the smells and stains are gone!! This doesn't leave an odour to deter our kitty from using his tray like some cleaners either!
​Contributed by Sarah McInnes, 18th April 2011

​Shredding Does Double Duty: Protect Personal Details and as Kitty Litter

Approximate $ Savings: $1800

​ I hated having to go to the supermarket, buy the kitty litter and lug it home; so I now use my paper shredder (a must for all those personal documents). All my personal documents, and other paper items, get shredded and go into the kitty-litter tray. The cat uses the tray and each day (or second day) it goes into the compost bin. No one's going to fossick through that and get my personal details! Contributed by Merinda, Frenchs Forest, 27th December 2008

​Keep Kitty off the Furniture

Vinegar also deters cats from using your furniture as a scratching posts, simply use half a cup of vinegar to a cup of water in a spray bottle, a quick spurt will deter the cat. If it continues, spray a little vinegar on the item (test for colour fastness first)and the cat will stay away.
​Contributed by Heather, Clagiraba, 26th September 2009

​Housesitting Saves on Cattery Fees

When we go away on holiday we take our cats to the breeder who has a cattery also. She loves seeing her Birman babies back however even though we receive a discount it costs us $300 for both cats for 10 days! (I Cheapskated our airfares return Auckland-Queenstown for half this amount!). We are visiting Melbourne for a holiday in June and instead of sending the cats to the breeder (where one throws a massive cat tantrum the whole time!) we are paying for my partner's sister and 5 month old to fly from Christchurch to house sit. She is very excited as she can use our car, our house and have a wee holiday (and give her partner a break!). I have 2 friends who both have babies who live very close who she can go walking with. Plus, she is arriving the day before we leave and flying home the day after so we are saving $100 on a return airport shuttle. The flights for her are costing NZ$127. In all we are saving $273! Plus the house will looked lived in, our mail will be cleared and our cats will be much happier when we return (Birmans can be sooks). And if you add the free holiday my sister in law receives it adds up to much more than that :o) (and gives me an extra $273 to go shopping with in Melbourne).
​Contributed by Danielle, Ellerslie, 3rd April 2009

​Litter Liners

Approximate $ Savings: $5.00 a week

I have two cute little kitty cats and a messy litter box. To save time with the clean up I buy litter tray liners, these though relatively inexpensive do add up. One day having returned from shopping I realised that I had forgotten to buy the tray liners so I used two plastic shopping bags one over each end. When it came time to empty the litter tray I just took it to the rubbish bin tore open one end of the bag over the tray end and slid the whole lot into the garbage bag. The shopping bags are almost a perfect fit and because they encase the whole tray they cant pull the liner into the kitty litter, I've used this method ever since.
​Contributed by Lee Anne, Melton, 20th March 2009

​Home Care for Cat Wounds

Approximate $ Savings: $180.00

After spending $180.00 to have a cat wound drained, the helpful vet suggested that I rip off the scab of a wound & swab with a cotton ball dabbed into household peroxide. The scab forms before the wound heals, so rip it off and keep swabbing.
​Contributed by Glenda, Beresfield, 14th January 2009

​Another Bio Zet Fan

I have three cats and the best stuff that I have found really works is to wash the area with Bio Zet washing powder. There is something in it that kills the odour and the cats don't like the smell either so they don't go back and do it again.
​Contributed by Sian Mackay, 12 th September 2007

​Go for the Power of Citrus

Orange power cleaners will clean out cat stains (urine) plus if you know the areas they tend to "go in" after having cleaned the area place orange peel in these areas replace every couple of days, cats detest orange scents, I've sprayed orange essence (mixed in water) near curtains and on furniture that I don't want them on it works like a charm.
​Contributed by Ann, Golden Bay, 12th September 2007

​Budget Clean-up Solution

Bicarb and soda water (cheapest brand you can get) - sprinkle a little bicarb, add enough soda water to dampen (not soak), wait for it to dry and then vacuum up - if the cat is very old, put a drop of lavender oil on before the soda water.
​Contributed by Thea, East Victoria Park, 12th September 2007

​White Vinegar Neutralizes Urine Smell

White vinegar in a cheap spray bottle. It has something to do with urine being alkaline and vinegar being acidic. Not only does it stop the stench ... it discourages the cat from going back to the same place.
​Contributed by Kaifree, Lismore, 11th September 2007

​Vinegar Solves Problem

To remove cat urine simply sponge the affected area with white vinegar. The vinegar neutralizes the urine and problem solved!
​Contributed by Cherith, Forrestfield, 11th September 2007

​Mulch for Litter

Approximate $ Savings: $4.00 per week approx.

​ With three cats I found kitty litter very expensive especially when the local supermarket discontinued the cheaper generic brand. I now use sugar cane garden mulch. A huge bag costs about $11.00 and I would think it would last me about a year. The cats don't mind at all. It actually is encouraging them to go outside and go in the garden as the garden is mulched with the same material. The "dirtied" kitty litter can be mulched into the garden. Dried lawn clippings work just as well and are free.
Contributed by Suzanne, 10th February 2008

​Neutralize with White Vinegar

Vinegar negates the smell of cat urine. I have an old cat and she likes bath mats to relieve herself. I soak these soiled items in cheap white vinegar sold ion supermarkets - home brand.
​Contributed by Vicki, Morningside, 11th September 2007

​Local Paper Saves $18 a Month

​My partner has to have the local paper delivered everyday and I thought it was a waste to just throw it away, so I bought myself a hand operated shredder and now I shred the newspaper and use it as cat litter for our three cats. I am now saving $18 a month by not having to buy cat litter. The best part is the newspaper doesn't seem to leave an odour when the cats use it like normal cat litter does. Contributed by Sian, Mackay, April 10th 2005

​Cat Litter Savings

I never have to pay for cat litter. Only thing is make sure you change the litter daily. Use old newspapers in the cat litter. Choose to either shred them (or like me), use them as whole sheets. Each night, I put up to 5 newspapers into the litter. I just go around picking up the local paper that no one wants, or have friends give me their newspapers, problem solved, money saved.
​Contributed by Carol, Westmead, October 19th 2006

​Budget Scratching Poles for Cats

Our cat Suki is 4 years old and goes through one scratching pole per year. At an average of $40 per pole that is $160. So, after her current one was again torn to shreds I went looking for cheaper alternatives. I went to a carpet place and bought an off cut of carpet for $5, of which I recovered her scratching pole with enough leftovers to recover it another 5 times. That means approx 84c to cover her pole for the next 5 years. A big difference from $40!!!
​Contributed by Melissa, Camberwell, July 21st 2006

​Controlling Fleas on Your Cat and Dog

Give your cat or dog a piece of Vegemite toast. The brewers yeast in the Vegemite helps to repel the fleas.
​Contributed by Penny, Muswellbrook, December 9th, 2005

​Keeping Ants Away from Pet Food

In summer, I put some water in a dish and the cat bowl in the middle, no ants can reach it. Contributed By Gabrielle, July 4th, 2004

​Scratchy Carpets

​If your cat prefers the furniture to his scratching post, try placing carpet samples throughout the house. For some unknown reason, many cats prefer them. You can buy them from market stalls for $2 each or you could ask a carpet retailer if you can have some that are discontinued. They may be happy to give them to you or sell them to you cheaper. Carpet layers often have old carpet they have pulled up that they will give away if you ask for it, worth a try to save your furniture and curtains. Contributed by Dorothy, Warrnambool

​Sticky Pet Hair

​Static electricity is what makes pet hair stick. Have a spray bottle filled with water and a few tablespoons of fabric softener. Lightly mist the furniture and then vacuum. This breaks the static electricity and allows most of the hair to come off easily. Use a lint roller to remove the hard to get hairs.

​Those Nutty Hairballs

​For all the pet owners out there: Peanut butter is a great, inexpensive remedy for hairballs. An even cheaper method is using petroleum jelly. Place a teaspoon full on the front legs - squash it into the fur so the animal has to lick it off and can't shake it off. If you look at the ingredients of these hairball laxatives sold at the vet's, the majority of the product is petroleum jelly with some flavouring.