Celebrate National Pet Month with us! Our pets are essential parts of our families, and as pet owners, we know they need a lot of care. Even low-maintenance pets still require some home upkeep. An aspect of pet ownership that’s easy to forget is how they can affect our plumbing systems. As always, knowledge is key! So, join us at Mason Plumbing & Drain as we dive into pet and plumbing safety details!
How Often Do You Groom Your Pet?
Keeping your pets well-groomed is important for keeping your home clean and preventing pests like ticks and fleas from infiltrating. However, grooming your pets can be tough on your plumbing system, too. Here are some tips to help reduce the strain on your plumbing.
Washing: Giving your pet a bath at home not only effectively controls odors but also ensures their coat remains healthy. But doing it yourself can come with its own plumbing mishaps due to fur and potential clogs in the tub.
- Installing a hand-held showerhead can make bathing your pet easier.
- Use a drain screen over your bathtub or shower drain to catch fur and avoid clogs.
- Bathe your pet outdoors if possible. If you prefer to bathe them in a tub of some sort, you can get an outdoor pet bathtub.
Brushing: Brushing your pet regularly is key to reducing shedding and less hair buildup in your home, especially during bathtime.
- Choosing the right brush for your pet’s hair type makes grooming easier and more efficient.
- For the best results and to keep hair from spreading inside, try to groom your pet outdoors when you can.
- If you have long-haired pets, it’s a good idea to brush them at least once a week. This keeps their coat healthy and helps prevent so many loose furs from coming out during bathtime.
How Do You Dispose of Old Pet Food & Pet Waste?
Pet Food: It’s important to know that you shouldn’t wash dry pet food down the kitchen sink or use the garbage disposal for it. Dry pet food expands when it gets wet, leading to possible severe clogs in your plumbing. Plus, when it dries, it hardens and can block your pipes even more. The best way to avoid these problems is to throw away any unused pet food in your trash bin.
Kitty Litter: Managing pet waste is part of owning a pet, but how you dispose of it can really impact your home’s plumbing. Many people think it’s fine to flush kitty litter, but that’s a bad idea altogether. Most kitty litter doesn’t dissolve in water, which will lead to some serious clogs.
Even though some cat litter is labeled “flushable”, it’s best not to flush any cat litter down the toilet. This is because “flushable” cat litter may be biodegradable, but it still breaks down rather slowly. This slow decomposition can lead to clogs from undissolved clumps of litter in your plumbing. The risk of damaging your plumbing and facing expensive repairs far outweighs the convenience. We believe it’s simply not worth the risk.
Here Are Some Other Pet Safety Tips:
Digging: Be careful if your pet loves to dig. It’s natural for dogs to dig, and we understand that. However, as a homeowner, you should watch out for your dog digging near your home’s foundation or buried pipelines. This bit of advice also helps keep your plumbing system safe and protects your pet from harm.
Toilet Water: If your pet drinks from the toilet often, you it can be risky for their health. Toilet cleaning products like tabs, stamps, rim hangers, and chemical cleaners that are designed to make your toilet clean and fresh, have harsh chemicals that can harm your pet. To protect your pet, always close the toilet lid and think about getting a child-proof lock for pets that particularly stubborn.
Ensuring the well-being of our furry family members and our plumbing system is so important. By following the right tips, doing a bit of preventative maintenance, and proper upkeep, you can easily take care of both. For more advice on keeping your home and plumbing in top shape, check out our wide range of blog posts!
If you have any questions or need to schedule a consultation for a plumbing issue, our expert team is eager and ready to help you. Call Mason Plumbing & Drain today at (513) 298-6996, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!