Don’t Flush Cat Litter
Cat litter is high on our list of things you should never flush down the toilet. In fact, even it’s labeled flushable, we advise you not to flush it. The extra solids in flushable litter can take a serious toll on your plumbing systems and clog them. Septic systems, in particular, may not be able to handle kitty litter, whether it’s labeled flushable or not.
Your cat’s litter may also carry harmful bacteria, and flushing it may even be illegal, depending on where you live.
Watch Out for Fur in the Tub
Do you give your pets regular baths? If so, make sure you’re using a drain strainer so fur doesn’t clog your drain! Once the strainer is full, dispose of the fur in the trash. You could also consider bathing your pets outside if that’s a viable alternative!
Secure Your Drains and Your Pipes
We’ve talked a lot about dogs and cats. But if you have smaller animals – guinea pigs, hamsters, mice – they can get easily get trapped in drains. It could even happen if you have a particularly curious kitten!
Pipes can also be a hazard. Again, if you have a small animal, you run the risk of the pet getting trapped behind the pipes. But a more likely scenario is you could have a pet that likes to chew on exposed pipes. This could damage the pipes (especially PVC pipes) and your pet’s teeth. To prevent this, we suggest wrapping the pipes up. If the pipes are outside, try using plywood, then covering with dirt. Chicken wire is another option. If the pipes are inside, you could conceal them by placing furniture, such as a decorative table or bookshelf, in front of them.