Potential Risks of Flushing Cat Poop Down Your Toilet - Advice for Better Handling

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Just about everyone seems to have their own unique theory in relation to Can You Flush Cat Poo or Litter Down the Toilet?.

Introduction

As cat proprietors, it's necessary to bear in mind how we take care of our feline good friends' waste. While it may seem practical to flush pet cat poop down the toilet, this technique can have detrimental repercussions for both the environment and human health and wellness.

Ecological Impact

Purging cat poop presents harmful pathogens and bloodsuckers right into the water supply, positioning a substantial threat to aquatic communities. These pollutants can negatively affect aquatic life and concession water high quality.

Health and wellness Risks

Along with environmental worries, flushing cat waste can also pose health threats to human beings. Feline feces may include Toxoplasma gondii, a bloodsucker that can cause toxoplasmosis-- a potentially extreme illness, especially for expectant women and people with damaged body immune systems.

Alternatives to Flushing

Luckily, there are much safer and much more responsible ways to dispose of pet cat poop. Take into consideration the complying with alternatives:

1. Scoop and Dispose in Trash

One of the most typical method of dealing with feline poop is to scoop it right into an eco-friendly bag and throw it in the garbage. Make sure to utilize a specialized litter scoop and deal with the waste quickly.

2. Usage Biodegradable Litter

Go with naturally degradable feline litter made from materials such as corn or wheat. These trashes are environmentally friendly and can be safely disposed of in the garbage.

3. Bury in the Yard

If you have a lawn, consider burying feline waste in a marked location away from veggie gardens and water resources. Make certain to dig deep adequate to stop contamination of groundwater.

4. Set Up a Pet Waste Disposal System

Purchase an animal garbage disposal system especially developed for cat waste. These systems make use of enzymes to break down the waste, minimizing odor and ecological impact.

Verdict

Responsible pet dog ownership expands beyond supplying food and shelter-- it likewise entails appropriate waste management. By refraining from purging cat poop down the bathroom and going with alternative disposal techniques, we can decrease our environmental footprint and safeguard human wellness.

Can You Flush Cat Litter Down The Toilet, Or Is That A Terrible Idea?

As a cat mom, I can definitively say there are many pros to owning a cat — like snuggles, someone to talk to who doesn't talk back, being in awe of so much furry cuteness, and did I mention snuggles? Probably the biggest con, however, is the cat litter business. Scooping it, disposing of it... the whole thing is basically the bane of cat ownership. And let's be honest; the cats are a little smug about it. While it's a necessary evil, I've considered making it a little easier on myself (and my ego) by considering flushable cat litter.

Why not subtract all the fuss and muss and just flush that stuff down the toilet like humans do? What's really so bad about it? Well, it turns out a lot. Much like wipes for humans marketed as flushable aren't actually suitable for plumbing and septic systems, "flushable" cat litter can lead to much bigger issues than having to scoop some poop.

So, this is for all my fellow cat owners wondering, Can you flush cat litter? Keep reading for all the gritty, sh*tty details.

Why You Can't Flush Cat Poop

The most important reason you can't flush cat litter isn't so much the litter (although we'll get to that later) but your cat's poop.

"Cat feces can contain a parasite called toxoplasma," Dr. Paula Simon, DVM, tells Scary Mommy. "This can cause serious health issues in immunocompromised or pregnant women. Placing cat feces in the toilet can contaminate the toilet or bathroom, leading to infections in exposed people."

Cats contract this parasite by eating infected rodents or meat containing parasitic cysts, and if you think indoor cats are free of the risk, think again. According to Simon, because mice and rats love coming indoors, they can still transmit the parasite. The scary thing about toxoplasma is that many infected cats show no signs of disease, and many healthy humans will also be symptom-free.

"Immunocompromised humans may develop enlarged lymph nodes, ocular/neurological problems, respiratory disease, and heart disease," Simon says. "Infected mothers will generally not show clinical signs, but their babies may have developmental conditions or mothers may experience abortion."

Why You Can't Flush Cat Litter

It's not only the poop you can't flush; you shouldn't flush cat litter down the toilet, either.

"I've been in the plumbing industry for more than 15 years, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that you should never flush cat litter down your toilet," Anthony Cafagna, founder and CEO of All City Plumbing, tells Scary Mommy. "As cat owners probably know, cat feces becomes very solid when it dries, so dumping your cat's litter box into the toilet and then flushing it can decimate your plumbing system and clog the pipes."

Cafagna says clay-based litters (the cheapest and most commonly used) can expand up to 15 times their original size once exposed to water, creating a severe clog in your waste pipes over time. "And while there are plenty of flushable litters that claim to be safe for your toilet, the volume of waste that goes down the toilet from emptying a tray is significantly more than your toilet and connecting pipes are designed to handle, especially if you have a water-saving toilet," he says.

"Lastly, septic tanks and water treatment systems aren't designed for cat litter, whether it's clay-based or bio-degradable/ flushable litter. Septic tanks and cat litter don't get along because septic tanks aren't equipped to break down materials like cat fecal matter and litter. Dumping your cat litter tray down the toilet will only clog up the tank and create an expensive problem for yourself down the line."

How to Dispose of Cat Litter Properly

What's the right way to dispose of cat poop and pee? According to Simon, cat litter should be disposed of in a special garbage container or placed directly in a dumpster. She recommends not putting emptied litter in the household garbage, which can lead to foul odors and spreading bacteria/parasites.

Additionally, she advises to "always wash hands after handling cat litter" and clean the cat litter daily, "not only to reduce odor but also to ensure healthy litter box habits by cats. Cats truly dislike dirty litter boxes, so cleaning infrequently can cause them to develop inappropriate urinary habits like urinating outside the litter box."

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