Is Animal Hair Biodegradable?

One of the most annoying things about having a pet is having to deal with all the fur they leave around the house.

It can be difficult to get rid of, especially when you’re not sure about how to go about it sustainably.

It’s also normal to worry about whether your pet’s fur is biodegradable and whether you can even toss it in your compost bin.

Fortunately, these are the things we’re going to talk about today. Once you read this post, you won’t have any more questions about animal hair’s biodegradability.

Is animal fur biodegradable and compostable?

Yes, animal fur is biodegradable and can be composted. Whether it’s from a cat, dog, or horse, you can toss it into your compost bin to add some nutrients to it.

How long does animal hair take to decompose?

This depends on the environmental conditions the hair is exposed to. For instance, if animal hair is specially treated or left in fresh air or sunlight, it can take even 100 years to decompose.

But if it’s buried in the soil, decomposition usually takes around 2 years.

If you really want animal hair to decompose fast though, you should add it to your compost heap – the whole process will only take a month here.

How do you compost your pet’s hair?

No matter what kind of pet you have, you can add its hair to your compost – it contains a lot of nitrogen that can make your compost more nutritious. That’s why it’s even common for some gardeners to bury animal fur at the base of their plants to help them thrive.

Before you go ahead and add your dog’s fur to your compost though, we have some tips that can help you be more effective.

For one, we advise that you never cut off and compost your pet’s hair immediately after they undergo worm treatment or apply a topical flea treatment. Usually applied at the back of your pet’s neck, such treatments contain chemicals that can contaminate your soil, plants, and nearby water bodies.

Another thing to remember is that you should always look out for common contaminants like carpet particles. So if your dog gets a haircut in the living room and you collect all the hair by vacuuming, remember to separate it from other dirt particles before adding it to your compost.

Also, spread out the hair in your compost instead of depositing it as large clumps – this will help it decompose faster. Beyond that, turn the compost at least once a week to ensure everything is properly mixed and aerated. To move things faster, you can even cover your compost with a tarp so that it retains its heat and moisture.

Compost your animal’s hair as soon as possible!

Since animal hair can easily gross you out and even trigger visitors’ allergies when left around the house, always aim to compost it immediately. You can even go as far as collecting all the hair your furry friend has cut at their regular grooming session.

Ultimately, this is a great way to both avoid messes and benefit your garden!