Is It Okay to Flush Cat Litter Down the Toilet?

Many cat owners dispose of cat litter by flushing it down the toilet. In this blog, local tankless water heater installer Oak Plumbing discusses why getting rid of cat litter in his way isn’t a good idea, as well as the best ways to properly dispose of it.

Flushable Litter

Most types of cat litters are made with clay. Some of them are designed to form clumps as they get wet, which makes it easier to scoop them out. Clay-based cat litter is disposed of in plastic bags and sent to landfills, as it doesn’t decompose easily. Flushable litter is offered as an alternative to clay-based cat litter and is typically made of by-products from corn, wood or pine. They tend to be more absorbent, which helps reduce odors naturally.

While flushable litter poses less of a clogging risk as  compared to clay-based litter, it’s generally still not a good idea to flush it, especially if you dispose of cat litter as often as once a day. Clumps can result in clogs, especially if you don’t break them down before flushing them, and can introduce parasites into the waterways. Certain types of toilets also aren’t designed to flush anything denser than toilet paper, and doing so may result in an unscheduled appointment with a plumbing inspection contractor.

Proper Disposal of Cat Litter 

Here are some of the many types of cat litter and the proper ways to dispose of them:

• Clay Clumping Litter — Wear a particulate mask as you clean to avoid inhaling dust from the litter box. Use a litter scooper to carefully scoop the litter into a bag, avoiding dispersing dust into the air. Clean your scoop with bleach or disinfectant after each use and make sure the bag is tied properly before placing it in an outdoor trash container.

• Silica Clumping Litter — Silica litter is similar in composition to sand and glass and shouldn’t be inhaled. Dispose of it in the same way as you would clay litter.

• Recycled Newspaper Cat Litter — Cat litter made from recycled newspaper is sometimes advertised as “flushable,” but it doesn’t break apart as easily as toilet paper. Instead of flushing it, dispose of it in the same way as clay and silica litter.

• Wheat and Corn Litter — Both of these types of litter are flushable and don’t clump as much as other options. Be careful not to scatter particles as you dispose of it.

• Pine Litter — Pine litter is the most suitable option for flushing. It’s not as absorbent as clay-based litter, which means you’ll need to clean the litter box more often.

Oak Plumbing is your leading provider of plumbing services, including gas leak repair. Give us a call at (707) 448-3567 or (800) 397-3799, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Benicia, Sacramento, and Vacaville, CA.

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