Can I flush cat poop down my drain?

‍Flushing cat poop down the drain can lead to clogged pipes.

Flushing cat poop down your drain might seem like a convenient way to rid your Melbourne home of those smelly little nuggets. However, it's far from an ideal disposal method. Why? Well, I'm glad you asked! The expert plumbers at Outright Plumbing are here to set the record straight, with the facts on what you can and can’t flush down your toilet.

The problem with flushing cat poop down your drain

In a nutshell, the major concern here revolves around the damage it can cause to your home's plumbing system. Victorian homes, charming as they may be, often have antique pipes that may not be equipped to handle this kind of waste, which can lead to clogs. Let's delve a little deeper into the reasons flushing cat poop down your toilet can be a bad idea, especially in homes around Melbourne. 

Disease Risks

Firstly, cat poop can contain a harmful parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. This little titan is not eliminated during municipal water treatment and could end up in your local waterways, creating a public health risk.

Drain Damage

Secondly, cat litter clumps when it's wet and becomes firm. If you were to flush it down, it would expand in your pipes, leading to serious clogs. This is particularly true for the older, less robust clay piping often found in Victorian homes. 

Environmental Harm 

Lastly, the improper disposal of pet waste leads to environmental pollution. Even if your home's plumbing can handle the waste, there is still the environmental impact to consider.

Other items that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet

Remember, your toilet is not a trash can! Homeowners should also avoid flushing the following items down their toilet:

• Wet wipes
• Paper towel
• Feminine hygiene products
• Grease and cooking oil
• Cat litter

Blocked sewage systems can be expensive, so do everything you can to prevent blockages. If you are ever wondering whether or not you should flush something down the drain.. Don’t risk it. Just bin it.

How a professional plumber can help

If it’s too late and you’ve already flushed cat poop down the toilet, you should call a professional plumber immediately. A DIY job or a plunger may make the issue worse by pushing the clog further down the line. An expert will use a drain camera to pinpoint the blockage, then use hydrojets or augers to clear the line. Outright Plumbing offers specialised services for blocked sewer drains and can act fast so more serious issues don't arise.

Items like cat poop can build up in your pipes and create a nightmare in your waste line. So, the next time you start to dispose of your cat's waste in the toilet, simply don't!

Suspect you have an issue from flushing cat poop? Contact Outright Plumbing today!