It’s not a rule that you can’t have a pet cat if you have a septic tank. However, there are some rules you should follow if you want to protect yourself from costly septic system repairs. Septic systems are designed to collect and break down human wastes and other biodegradable substances. Unfortunately, this does not include the waste from your cat.
If you are like most cat owners, you have a litter box for your favorite feline to use as their place of waste disposal. It’s your responsibility to empty that litter box when it gets full (or too smelly). To save yourself time and effort, you may be tempted to scoop out your cat’s waste and flush it down your toilet. Unfortunately, this can be a very costly mistake if your home relies on a septic tank.
The Issue with Kitty Litter
Most cat litters are made of bentonite clay. By nature, clay is absorbent and non-biodegradable. Therefore, flushing clay-based litters down the toilet (even if you don’t do it in large amounts), can lead to clogged drains. Septic repairs or even sewer line replacement may be in order to restore your plumbing system to proper condition. Even if your kitty litter makes its way through your pipes, it can still harden and do damage in your septic tank. The natural microbial balance in your tank can be disrupted with kitty litter, which means your septic tank may fail to do its job of breaking down human wastewater.
Keep in mind that cats are also potential carriers of a parasite called Toxoplasma, which is responsible for toxoplasmosis in humans who ingest the oocysts. This parasite found in cat feces may have mild to severe health effects on affected individuals. It’s best to keep feline feces away from your plumbing system altogether.
Need help disposing your cat litter in an eco-friendly manner? Think you’ve already caused damage to your septic system by flushing your kitty’s waste? Call the experts of Metro Septic! We can help you understand how your septic tank and your pets can safely co-exist.