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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Can You Flush Cat Litter Down the Toilet?

It’s a common question from feline owners: Is cat litter flushable? And can you flush cat poop without litter? While sending litter and cat poop down the toilet may be tempting, it's not a good idea and can lead to plumbing blockages.

The truth is that even cat litter that’s marketed as plumbing-safe can cause problems.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we’re dedicated to helping our customers keep their home plumbing in optimal working condition, so it's essential that you know that cat litter and cat poop should never be flushed.

Can You Flush Kitty Litter?

While it may go down the toilet, the plumbing blockages will likely come later, and you may end up dealing with a plumbing emergency. There are several types of cat litter on the market – from clay and silica gel to paper litter – and none are plumbing-safe.

Is Flushable Cat Litter Safe for Plumbing?

Some brands claim to offer a safe, flushable litter that doesn’t cause the same issues as flushing standard cat litter. But is flushable cat litter really flushable?

These litters are typically made from biodegradable products like corn, wheat, paper, or wood. Although cat litter marketed as “flushable” may be better for the planet, putting any cat litter in the toilet is not the best for your plumbing system.

Flushing litter is especially risky for homes with older pipes, but even newer pipes struggle with the litter load. It’s not just your plumbing pipes. Today's toilets flush with less water, which makes flushing litter even more problematic. Also, septic tank systems are not designed to accept and break down cat litter materials.

In addition to clogs, litter is abrasive and can cause damage to the plumbing pipes.

Why You Shouldn’t Flush Cat Poop Either

Maybe you’ve tried separating the cat’s business from the litter, so the only thing going down the toilet is cat poop. Still not okay. Cat poop often contains an organism called Toxoplasma gondii, which makes flushing it a public health hazard. This organism is harmful to sea animals when it washes into the ocean and dangerous to humans, especially pregnant women, babies, and people with compromised immune systems.

This is also why you should always wear protective gloves when handling cat feces and litter.

When it comes to your plumbing and health, taking a no-flush approach to cat litter and cat poop is imperative. No matter how convincing a flushable cat litter brand’s marketing is, now you know the truth and can prevent clogs, damaged plumbing, and health risks.

https://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/expert-tips/toilets/can-you-flush-cat-litter-down-the-toilet-/

Why You Should Never Flush Cat Poop Down the Toilet

A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but not all poop is created equal. Toilets, and our sewage systems, are designed for human excrement, not animal waste. It might seem like it couldn’t hurt to toss cat feces into the loo, but it’s not a good idea to flush cat poop in the toilet.

First and foremost, assuming your cat uses a litter box, any waste is going to have litter on it. And even the smallest amount of litter can wreak havoc on plumbing.

Over time, small amounts build up, filling up your septic system. Most litter sold today is clumping; it is made from a type of clay that hardens when it gets wet. Ever tried to scrape old clumps from the bottom of a litter box? You know just how cement-hard it can get!

Now imagine just a small clump of that stuck in your pipes. A simple de-clogger like Drano isn’t going to cut it. And that means it’s going to cost you big time to fix it.

Parasitic Contamination

Believe it or not, your healthy kitty may be harboring a nasty parasite. Only cats excrete Toxoplasma in their feces. Yet it rarely causes serious health issues in the cats that are infected. Most people will be fine too if infected. Only pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are at risk. (If you’ve ever heard how women who are expecting are excused from litter cleaning duty, Toxoplasma is why.)

But other animals may have a problem if infected with the parasite. And human water treatment systems aren’t designed to handle it. As a result, the systems don’t remove the parasite before discharging wastewater into local waterways. Fish, shellfish, and other marine life — otters in particular — are susceptible to toxoplasma. If exposed, most will end up with brain damage and many will die.

Depending on the species of fish, they may end up on someone’s fish hook and, ultimately on someone’s dinner plate. If that someone has a chronic illness, they’re at risk.

Skip the Toilet Training

We know there are folks out there who like to toilet train their cats. And we give them props, it takes a lot of work. But thanks to the toxoplasma, it’s not a good idea.

https://www.keepingitpawsome.com/never-flush-cat-poop/