Is It Safe To Use Compost Which Has Been Contaminated With Used Cat Litter?
My neighbor who has a cat with kidney disease constantly throws her cat's very smelly litter on my compost which I was hoping to use on my vegetable garden. I am afraid of contracting toxoplasmosis.
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If you are pregnant, do not chance it.
I’ve read a bit about toxoplasmosis, and what I’ve found is that in healthy adults it is nearly asymptomatic. Once you’ve had it, you’ll have lifelong immunity to it. If you’ve been around cats, you’ve probably had it and didn’t even know it.
The only big issue is for women who are pregnant when they contract it for the first (only) time. Very bad for the unborn baby.
Can you ask your neighbor to stop doing that? Or prevent her from doing it? Then don’t use the compost until everything is thoroughly composted. I’m really unsure if the toxoplasmosis would remain in the compost, though…
That’s a really tough one. I would maybe make sure she stops doing that, throw out the current compost, and start over.
edit–In fact, if you’re pregnant, don’t even go near it. Have someone else take care of it. I didn’t make that clear and wanted to.
Good luck on your garden!
Ohhhh GAK!
Don’t even risk it.
Toxoplasmosis is a risk, but that’s not the only reason not to use it. There could be any number of diseases and/or bacteria growing in there by now.
And the ammonia would burn your plants, likely killing them.
Tell your neighbor that her nasty cat litter belongs in her TRASH … NOT in your compost!
Tell your neighbor to stop contaminating your compost pile. One NEVER adds the feces of carnivores to a compost pile. Only the feces of herbivores (cattle, horses) should be used. She has ruined your compost, and she needs to dispose of her cat litter and feces in her garbage.
There are heaps of diseases that are transmitted from cat poop to humans. Please don’t use anywhere near anything you would want to eat. That part of your compost heap should be removed.
Time to ask the neighbour not to use your compost heap as a cat toilet. (Start throwing your poop over his/her fence should stop it)
Yuck. Don’t even think about it. You could get very sick and/or harm young plants. Sounds like you need to have a talk with your neighbor. If she doesn’t listen you should call the police because after all, she is littering.
Toxoplasmosis isn’t very dangerous unless you have aids. However, that crap won’t be the best thing for your plants. I’d raise the fence, and maybe move the compost heap.
Don’t use it. The ammonia alone in kitty litter is going to kill your plants, and could make you sick. Tell her to stop putting her litter on your compost pile!!
gross, throw the whole pile of compost back into her lawn. why didn’t you stop her from throwing into your personal pile?? She is such a hag