Express Plumbing Heating & Air Blog
Guide to Plumbing for Pet Owners
If you have a furry friend, or two, you may have experienced the plumbing issues that come with them. Their hair can clog drains during bath time. You’ve probably found spike sipping from the toilet at some point or another. If you’re a pet owner, here are some helpful tips.
Avoid clogged pipes with a drain stop or strainer:
While most of our pets dread the moment bath time comes around. It’s a good idea to use a drain strainer to keep their hair from causing a clog. Even if you don’t think they’re shedding at the time you may be surprised just how much fur comes off once you start scrubbing.
Watch what you flush:
Even if your kitty litter claims to be flushable, avoid flushing cat litter. When it’s time to change out the litter box, place litter in a plastic bag and dispose of everything in your outdoor garbage bin. Cats sometimes eat things they cannot fully digest, like bones. These items will likely cause issues with your plumbing system. Avoid this entirely by not flushing your cat’s litter.
Check the water pressure and temperature:
Watch the temperature from your faucet or showerheads to avoid suddenly scalding your pets during bath time if someone flushes the toilet. We’ve all been there, and the shock of getting stung by steaming hot water isn’t the most pleasant kind of surprise. Protect your pet from overheating at bath time by making sure the temperature isn’t too hot before you dip them into the tub.
Replace pets water often:
If your dog or cat is turning to the toilet for water to drink, you may need to refresh their water dish. Wash your pet’s bowls and refill them twice a day. It is important to keep an eye on their water levels, especially when it’s hot out, you will need to give them more water during higher temperatures.
Protect pipes from pet chewing:
Cover your drains and secure exposed pipes. Animals love to chew, and an exposed pipe or drain may seem like the perfect chew toy. Prevent unnecessary pet-related plumbing emergencies by moving furniture or other items so your animals cannot access pipes or open drains. You can also purchase drain covers that make it more difficult to get to them.
Watch out for backyard digging:
Water and sewer lines in your backyard can sometimes be dug very shallowly. Keep an eye out if your pet is digging around in the backyard. Make sure they don’t expose any pipes and begin to chew. This could quickly become a huge and costly home repair issue.
