Named after the tendency of cats to bury their excreta, a cat hole is a small hole¹⁾ dug to contain solid waste. It is dug away from use areas and water sources, and is covered after a single use.

Leaving toilet paper in the cat hole is a matter of local policy:

• where paper can be burned it is burned in the hole - some boondocking sites recommend this
• where paper can be buried, it is left in the bottom of the hole.
• Where paper cannot be burned or buried, it is packed out in zip-loc bags or similar.

Check with the local BLM/NF website or collateral materials for guidance on proper cat-holing procedure in the area.

The use of a narrow "trench spade" shovel will be easier than a broadheaded shovel in hard earth conditions. Plastic camping trowels are light weight, smaller in size than a spade and work well in soft soils. Metal garden trowels, while heavier, will stand up better to rocky or hard soils.

Note: secessus has begun using/recomending a mattock for cat hole digging duties. His was $10 at at flea market.

• leave no trace principles involving cat holes
• BLM camping guidelines