Is Cat Litter Safe to Flush?
There are many types of cat litter out there nowadays. There are some products that can be flushed, which is great news if you’re looking for a new alternative to your current cat litter product.
Other products, though, are an immediate “no” when it comes to flushing. These products might cause a clog in your drain, and you can run the risk of adding microorganisms to your local water systems.
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What Litter Can You Flush? What Can You Not?
There are quite a few options to choose from when looking for a litter to flush down the toilet. You can choose from any litter that is made of corn, wheat, tofu, shredded paper, or even wood remains. Keep in mind that some pine varieties are not flushable, though.
One surefire way to know if you can flush your litter is to read the label. There are many brands that are marketed as flushable, but they might have ingredients that are in direct contrast to that. So it is important that you check whether or not your litter is made completely of grains or tofu (depending on your purchase).
There are a few specific cat litters that you should stay away from. Clay-based litters are definitely considered to be one of the most dangerous to flush. This type of litter is made to absorb a ton of moisture (of course), but because of this, it can expand up to15 times its original size.
If you happen to flush down some of the unused clay cat litter along with what has been soiled, you could create a big issue with your plumbing and pipes. So a good rule of thumb to remember is not to flush any clay-based litter down into the local waste system.
Clay-based litters are also quite messy, and if not properly managed, it could cause grave risk to your cat’s health. This type of litter creates a lot of dust, and this dust can get into your cat’s respiratory system, which could result in rhinitis.
Other litters that fall along the same lines and are not able to be flushed are pine litters and silica gel litters. Definitely avoid these as well if you are looking for a little to flush.
Pros
Easier to Deal With
Flushing your cat litter is an easy and convenient way to clean and care for your cat. Especially when the alternative is scooping, bagging, and throwing it into a trash can. If you have multiple cats who are constantly needing a clean litter box, opting for flushable cat litter is the way to go.
Ecologically Sustainable
The option of flushable cat litter is a wiser and better option for the planet. This type of litter is made out of biodegradable materials like wood, corn, wheat, and paper. It is also worthy to note that these items also come from renewable sources!
Cons
Your Cat Might Be Allergic
With flushable materials, it is important that you are aware as to whether your cat is allergic or not. Clay-based litter (not flushable) is very generic and well-received by all types of cats, while litter made from wheat or corn can be a bit troublesome.
It Doesn’t Work As Well
Unfortunately, flushable litter does not clump as well as clay litter. Clay litter is designed to clump around the urine which makes it easy to know what to scoop out. These clumps keep the litter box cleaner as the urine does not spread throughout the box.
It’s a Public Health Issue
Cats are known to carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is harmful to humans. If you are flushing down your cat’s waste into the public water sewage system you run the risk of transmitting that parasite to the public since the water is constantly being recycled and reused.
It Costs More
It is important to keep in mind that flushable cat litter can tend to cost more than clay litter. The price difference may not matter at first, but as time goes on, you will begin to see the increase.
Hard on Your Drains
While flushable cat litter is marketable as being able to go down your drains, it isn’t the best option for your plumbing. Eventually, clogs and backups will occur, and that can cause much trouble for your pipes.
Cat litter change once a month
Can you vacuum your cat’s litter?
How To Dispose
The whole point of this is a happy medium of disposing your cat’s waste and litter and staying environmentally friendly. One of the best ways to do that is to bag the waste in a biodegradable bag and throw that into the trash. The rest of the litter can then be composted (Can you compost cat poop and litter?), as long as you know for sure it has not been soiled in any way.