How to Make Substitute Kitty Litter

Kitty litter is one of those things you just run out of sometimes. If you find you are out, don't fret--you don't have to put Fluffy out in the cold and please don't make Princess hold her bladder. You can make your own kitty litter to get you through until you make it back to Petco.

Things You'll Need

• Sand, soil, or ashes
• Baking soda
• your normal litter scoop
• Newspaper (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill your litter box with sand, soil, or ashes. These things won't hurt your cat--cats who live outdoors full-time scratch in these things anyway. Regular outdoor dirt will do just fine.

2. Cover the sand with a layer of baking soda. Use enough so that the layer of baking soda is almost opaque, but you don't need a blanket of baking soda.

3. Lightly stir the baking soda into the sand with your litter scoop. Go back to your usual kitty litter as soon as is convenient for you. Cats are finicky, and if they are accustomed to one usual brand of litter, they may be cautious about using something unfamiliar.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at your dirt to make sure that there are no ants or bugs. This doesn't take much thought--unless you are completely absent-minded and digging at midnight, you will notice whether there are ants in your soil.