Can You Flush Cat Poop Down the Toilet?
Flushing cat poop down the toilet is the last thing you want to do. Yes, we all know that cleaning the litter box is a repetitive chore. That doesn’t mean you should flush cat poop though. More so, it poses plenty of risks to our health, the environment, and to wildlife animals.
Here’s why.
Can You Flush Cat Poop Without Litter?
One of the main reasons why you shouldn’t flush cat poop down the toilet is because there are parasites in cat poop. Essentially, these are dangerous for humans for several reasons. More so, this parasite cannot be removed from water treatment systems and then passes through back into our environment and waterways.
Toxoplasma gondii, or toxoplasmosis, can be so dangerous that it can lead to brain damage or even death. It is especially dangerous to pregnant women. It doesn’t stop there because it can also negatively affect our wildlife and our environment. Therefore, if you are flushing cat poop, refrain from doing that any more.
Why Shouldn’t You Flush Cat Poop or Litter?
Cat litter can be extremely detrimental to your pipes. This is because most of the time, cat litter is made from bentonite clay, which hardens when it gets wet, like cement. If you are a cat owner, you know that this is true when your cat uses the litter box. When you go to clean it out, a lot of the litter will be hard and clumped together for easy clean out.
You can imagine what will happen if you send cat litter or cat poop down your toilet regularly. It will harden in your pipes, start to build up, and create a huge sewer clog causing you a problem that will need to be taken care of immediately.
How Do You Dispose of Cat Poop?
Save yourself all the trouble and correctly dispose of your cat’s feces. You can do this by keeping your plastic bags every time you go to the grocery store. All you need to do is use a plastic bag to clean out the litter box, tie the bag up tight once you’re done, and dispose of the bag in the trash can.
It is important that you are doing this not once, but every 2 days. You need to make sure your cat’s litter box is clean so you aren’t increasing the chances of a parasitic infection.
Helpful Tips When Disposing of Cat Poop or Litter
- Invest in a trash can with a lid so you never have to worry about the smell of cat poop lingering in your home after throwing away that plastic bag.
- Add a little bit of baking soda to your cat’s litter. This can help with the smell of a litter box. You don’t want to add too much though, your cat might not like it.
- Make sure you are completely cleaning out your cat’s litter box at least once a year. I suggest getting a new litter box and starting fresh or completely cleaning it out with soap and water (I usually use the outside hose and soap). This helps keep the litter box clean for your cat.
- If you think that you still can’t get rid of the smell of a litter box, you have the option of trying a new litter. Cat litter is evolving all the time. A newer type of cat litter with a fresher scent or odor blocking formula might just be the answer you are looking for!
Is Flushable Cat Litter Really Flushable?
The answer is no. At the end of the day, cat litter, no matter what it says, can still cause clog in your pipes. This is why we advise you to not flush any type of litter.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, cat litter and cat poop are not supposed to be flushed down your toilet. Not only does it cause harm to humans, but it also causes harm to the environment and wildlife as well. Disposing of it correctly can save you time and money by decreasing your chances of a clog. Cleaning your cat’s litter box often can also decrease the chances of your pet catching that harmful parasitic infection.
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