Is My Vegetable Garden Safe After Dead Cat Decomposes?

Question

Hi, I am on vacation so my garden is being cared for only every few days. Today I get a text saying that an old cat (diseases, if any, are unknown) has died under my fallen tomato plant, right next to my cucumber roots (the base of the plant). I do not know if this cat has diseases, however, my family has been feeding it for years. It is feral and we do not touch it. Presumably he was getting old and raggedy looking. My nephews eat from my garden, as do I and my family and my mom’s daycare. He wasted there long enough for a terrible smell, and presumably started decomposing. My stepdad bagged it up, but what do I do now with my garden? Do I dig everything up and start over next season? Do I need to sanitize the soil? Or is everything fine and it’s just gross to us (the ick factor)? Is the food actually safe to eat? I am so concerned. Please help! Thank you – Amanda

Answer 1

I would be concerned, too, that it eliminated in the garden before it died. Cat waste can contain disease organisms as well as parasites. I think I would err on the side of caution and not eat any vegetables from plants that were right next to the cat. Plus, have someone look for droppings and remove them if found. Then next spring, add lots of compost to the soil before using it again for vegetables. You may even want to solarize the soil first before using it again.

These articles highlight some of the dangers from animal scat.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/cat-feces-in-compost.htm

https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2020/09/dogs-cats-deer-neighbors-cows-animals.html

Here is how to solarize the soil:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm