Join us in celebrating National Pet Month! If you’re a pet owner, then you know that pets are a big part of our families! If you have a pet, you also know they need a lot of care. Even the low-maintenance ones need some looking after in terms of home upkeep. And here’s something you might not think about often – pets can have their own impact on our plumbing systems. As always, knowledge is key, so let’s dive into how to keep both your pets and plumbing safe with your friends at Lebanon Plumbing & Drain!
Grooming Can Impact Your Plumbing System
Keeping your pets groomed is key to keeping both your home and pets clean. But let’s be real, grooming your furry friends can be a bit tricky, especially for your plumbing system. Here are a few tips to make sure your pipes stay happy while you keep your pets smelling fresh.
Baths: Bathing your pet at home is great for keeping them smelling fresh and their coat looking good. But doing it yourself can lead to some plumbing drama, like fur clogs in the tub.
- Installing a hand-held showerhead can really make washing your pets a breeze. If you don’t have one yet, you might want to think about putting one in.
- Put a drain screen over your tub or shower drain to catch all that fur and stop it from clogging up the drains.
- Bathe your pets outside when possible. If you require a tub for bathing them, there are outdoor pet tubs you can get to utilize outdoors.
Brushing: Brushing your pet regularly is essential to keeping shedding under control.
- Picking the right brush for your pet’s hair type makes grooming a breeze.
- For the best outcome and to keep hair from flying all over your house, try to groom them outside whenever you can.
- If you’ve got a long-haired pet, try brushing them out weekly. It’s great for keeping their coat in tip-top shape and helps avoid any plumbing nightmares when you give them a bath.
Improper Pet Food & Pet Waste Disposal Can Impact Your Plumbing System
Pet Food: You should never wash dry pet food (like kibble) down your kitchen sink. When it gets wet, it swells up and can really mess with your plumbing by causing serious clogs. And if you think that’s bad, when it dries out, it hardens back, making things even worse. The best move? Just toss any old pet food in the trash bin to dodge these headaches.
Pet Waste: Dealing with pet waste comes with the territory of having a pet, but how you get rid of it can really mess with your home’s pipes. A lot of people think flushing cat litter down the toilet is okay to do, but actually, that’s a bad move. The reason behind this is most kitty litter doesn’t break down in water, so it will lead to extreme clogs in your plumbing.
Now, there are some cat litter brands that are labeled as “flushable,” however, the thing with “flushable cat litter” is, it’s supposed to break down since it’s biodegradable, but it goes through this process super slowly. This means you could end up with clogs over time because the used litter just doesn’t dissolve away very fast and instead piles up within your pipes. So, the trouble it could cause your plumbing, not to mention the messy and expensive fixes, just isn’t worth the convenience.
Extra Pet Safety Tips
Backyard Diggers: Watch out for pets that love to dig. We get it—dogs will be dogs, and we totally love that! But if you’re a pet owner, you’ve got to keep an eye on your adventurous furry friend. They might end up digging near your home’s foundation or close to buried pipelines. We’re here to help you keep your plumbing safe, but this tip is also about keeping your pet out of trouble and harm’s way.
Toilet Bowl Drinkers: Ever caught your pet taking a sip from the toilet bowl? Yeah, it happens, and though it might just seem a bit icky, we want to focus on the fact that it’s actually pretty risky for them health-wise. You know all those products we use to keep the toilet clean, like toilet tabs, stamps, rim hangers, and bowl cleaners? They do a great job at keeping the toilet fresh but can be pretty nasty for your pet’s health. Combat this by keeping that toilet lid shut and maybe think about getting a child-proof lock if your furry friend is a bit too persistent.
Making sure both your furry family members and plumbing are in top shape is crucial. With a few handy tips, some preventative maintenance, and proper care, you can nail both! Looking for more advice on keeping your home and plumbing in check? Dive into our blog posts – they’re packed with info!
Got questions or need to chat about a plumbing issue? Our team is all ears and ready to help out. Call Lebanon Plumbing & Drain today at (513) 427- 2443, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!