You should not flush any pet waste down the toilet.
You should not flush any pet waste down the toilet.
Poop and litter should not be flushed into municipal sewer systems either, because many of them cannot eliminate Toxoplasma, a rather nasty organism sometimes present in cat waste; its release into the ocean has been known to kill sea otters.
Flushable cat litter is made from biodegradable materials that break down in the environment. It will not harden when mixed with water and is supposed to be safe to flush down the toilet.
Clogged pipes
So, can you flush cat litter or cat poops? It's not a good idea. Either practice could lead to clogged pipes, making for a big mess and an expensive plumbing bill. Litter creates several issues for your plumbing.
No, you should never flush cat faeces down the toilet. The reason for this is that cat waste often contains a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which is extremely detrimental to the health of humans and marine life.
What types of litter can you flush? You can flush down the toilet any litter that's made of corn, wheat, tofu, shredded paper, or wood remains. Some pine varieties are not flushable, however. The best way of knowing whether you are allowed to flush your cat litter is to make sure that you read the label.
Bag it in a biodegradable container.
Scoop up your litter into a biodegradable bag and toss it into your garbage. You can buy a bag, or you can just wrap your used litter in a newspaper, tie it up, and dispose of it that way.
THE ANSWER: Yes, cat feces contains a parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii which is harmful to humans, and most cat litter shouldn't be flushed anyways because it causes major plumbing issues by clogging drains.
Cat litter can easily clog the drainage. It clumps and tends to expand when soaked in water. Thus, it can easily clog the sink drain when it finds its way down the drain. Clogs resulting from the litter can completely stop water from flowing down the drain.
Cats are wired to bury their waste, an instinct that litter boxes encourage. If your cat uses the toilet exclusively, they no longer have an outlet for this natural instinct. Evidence of potential health issues gets flushed away.
The Environmental Protection Agency endorses flushing as a safe way to dispose of dog feces.
“Cats will sometimes jump into the litter boxes and often use them while, and right after, their people have scooped them,” says Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant. “Cats love clean litter boxes, ones that are freshly scooped and don't smell of excrement.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
Confinement to an area with bedding, water, and a litter box (and away from the areas that have been soiled) is often necessary to reestablish litter box use. Generally, a small room such as a laundry room, extra washroom, or bedroom where the cat has not previously soiled should be utilized.
If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Throw It Into the Garbage
The best way to dispose of kitty litter is to scoop waste into a bag, tie the bag tightly, and then throw the whole thing into the trash.
Put it in the Trash
Once all the boxes in your house are scooped, tie off the garbage bag in a knot. To prevent odor and bacterial leakage, double bag your scooped litter. Place in an outside trash can with a tight fitting lid.
Using biodegradable bags is one of the easiest and most common ways to dispose off cat's litter. You scoop out the cat's litter, seal it in a bag, and toss it in the bin! These bags are designed to compost more quickly whilst keeping the cat litter contained.
In our review, the best flushable cat litter is the sWheat Scoop Wheat-Based Natural Cat Litter. This litter is made of wheat with natural enzymes that trap odors. The most popular option from sWheat Scoop is the unscented clumping option, which performs very similarly to traditional clay litter without dust.
While Naturally Fresh litter is flushable, there are many regulations against flushing litter. We advise that you check with local and state regulations before flushing in a public or septic system.
Q-Tips, Cotton Pads or Other Cotton Products
Cotton balls, cotton pads, and Q-Tips are definitely not safe to flush — they don't break down the way toilet paper does, and all they really do is clump together in your pipes and cause problems down the line.
It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma.
While some cats follow their owners to the bathroom and don't understand the concept of privacy, many are still wary of who's watching when they go to the toilet themselves. Some cats will do their business solely outside, others might do a bit of both, perhaps preferring a warmer toilet in the winter months.
Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.