Can You Flush ‘Flushable’ Cat Litter?
I love cats. I’m a self-described crazy cat lady. I’m even named Cat. I love everything about furry, fluffy felines. Well, I don’t love cleaning the kitty litter out. But all you need to do is bag it up and bin it, right? Isn’t that what everyone does?
Well, so I thought until a client called this week saying they had a blocked drain in Point Cook and they think it was due to the cat litter they’d been flushing…
Why on earth would they flush cat litter? Because it says you can on the packaging…
Cat litter labelled as ‘flushable’ may sound like a convenient solution, but flushing it can wreak havoc on plumbing systems, sewer lines, and the environment. Here’s a closer look at why flushing cat litter is not the best choice, despite what the labels might claim.
Types of Flushable Cat Litter Available in Australia
There are several products claiming to be flushable cat litter available in Australia. Our client with a blocked drain in Point Cook used the following products:
These products are available at pet suppliers, Amazon, Coles and Woolworths. It’s worth noting that Pet Circle no longer promote the product as flushable.
Does Flushing Cat Litter Cause Blocked Drains?
Cat litter, whether ‘flushable’ or not, can expand and create blockages within pipes. Even ‘flushable’ varieties don’t break down as effectively as toilet paper. They can get stuck in bends or join other debris, leading to stubborn blockages. Eventually, this build-up could lead to expensive plumbing repairs or even the need for a full pipe replacement. The only thing you can flush is human waste and toilet paper.
Flushing Cat Litter Causes Health Risks
Cat waste may contain a parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. While most water treatment systems are effective, T. gondii is particularly resilient and has been found in water systems and even oceans. This parasite is hazardous to marine life and can be transmitted to humans through contaminated water sources, potentially causing severe health issues, especially for pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
Flushing Cat Litter Has an Environmental Impact
Our waterways are already burdened with a range of pollutants, and adding cat litter to the mix exacerbates the problem. Cat litter, particularly clay-based varieties, doesn’t dissolve and can alter the natural ecosystem. The minerals and other components in litter may disrupt water treatment processes and harm aquatic plants and animals.
Flushing Cat Litter Increases Utility Costs and Water Treatment Stress
Every time ‘flushable’ cat litter goes down the drain, it makes water treatment more challenging and expensive. Municipal water treatment plants aren’t designed to handle litter and waste products from cats, which can lead to increased utility costs for everyone.
The Safe Alternatives to Flushable Cat Litter
For cat owners looking to dispose of litter responsibly, here are a few safe alternatives:
- Bag and Bin: The most reliable option is to bag used litter in a biodegradable bag and dispose of it with regular garbage.
- Composting (for some litter types): Certain types of natural, plant-based litter are compostable, though they should only be used on non-edible plants to avoid contamination risks.
While the promise of flushable cat litter might seem like a win for convenience, the risks it brings to plumbing, public health, your wallet and the environment are significant. By opting for safer disposal methods, you can protect your home’s plumbing and do your part to keep our water systems clean and healthy.
If you require a plumber in Point Cook or the surrounding areas, get in touch with McCarthy Plumbing Group on 9931 0905.
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