Pet Owners Should Avoid These Septic System Mishaps

January 4, 2021 9:29 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Many pet owners in Strafford County, NH don’t stop to think what happens to dog hair and “flushable” products after they flush them down the drain. Dogs, cats and septic systems are a bad combination, so owners have to become more aware of what they can or cannot put in their pipes. Here are some tips on how to keep your septic system and pet waste separate.

Don’t trust flushable products

Manufacturers attempt to make the lives of pet owners hassle-free by producing flushable dog wipes and cat litter. Despite these claims, septic systems and pet products aren’t compatible. Just because the word “flushable” is printed on the package doesn’t mean your septic system can handle the product. Next time you clean mud off your pup’s paws, play it on the safe side and toss the wipes in the trash instead.

Cat litter and septic systems don’t mix, either—even the kind that claims to be flushable. Pet stores in Strafford County, NH sell biodegradable litter that’s meant to flush down the toilet instead of taking up space in landfills. The truth, however, is that biodegradable litter can’t break down in septic systems and will cause a wastewater backup.

Pet waste contaminates water

Cat and dog waste isn’t supposed to go down the toilet. Water treatment facilities in Strafford County, NH process human waste but aren’t capable of neutralizing dangerous parasites commonly found in animal feces. Septic systems and pet waste have to remain separate because parasites that can’t be treated will cycle back into your drinking water.

Pet waste isn’t the only hazardous material pet owners commonly introduce to their septic systems. Owners wash their pets in the bathtub without considering the harsh chemicals in shampoos that flow down the drain. Instead, choose a nice sunny day to hose down your furry companion in the back yard. Long story short, you should keep dog products and septic systems far away from each other.

Hair and kibble clog drains

Many pet owners don’t stop to think what happens to dog hair once it washes down the drain. When it comes to septic systems, problems that are out of sight are often out of mind, too. People are so concerned about long human hair clogging drains that they overlook the consequences of washing their furry friends in the bathtub. Dog hair is very fine and mats easily, which backs up the pipes and may result in costly repairs.

Likewise, dry kibble is one of the worst foods you could wash down the sink. Garbage disposals can pulverize most but not all foods, and kibble is one of the exceptions. The pellets are highly absorbent and expand when they travel down the plumbing. Dog food can’t flush through your septic system because it congeals in the pipes. If you have to get rid of kibble, pitch it in the trash.

Many owners have discovered the consequences of flushing pet waste down the pipes by trial and error. If you’ve accidentally made one of the mistakes mentioned here, schedule an inspection with B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC. Our team specializes in removing blockages and harmful contaminants from residential septic systems.

Categorised in:

This post was written by Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *