Most people don\u2019t associate plumbing issues with their pets, but problems can crop up unexpectedly when you share your home with a dog or cat. Several common pet-related plumbing problems exist. Your pet may drink from the toilet or like to splash in the sink or\u00a0bathtub. While this is fun for the pet, it wastes water and can put strain on your pipes. Additionally, pet hair can\u00a0clog drains\u00a0every time your dog or cat gets a bath. To keep your drains and pipes clean with pets around, follow our proven plumbing tips.<\/p>\n
Keep Hair from\u00a0Clogging Pipes\u00a0with a Drain Strainer<\/strong> Use Drain Covers and Secure Exposed Pipes<\/strong> Flush Carefully<\/strong>
\nMany pet owners think their pets shed less than they actually do. If you own a short-haired dog or cat, it can be tempting to think he or she doesn\u2019t shed at all. The truth is: all pets shed, and they do so more than we think. Large amounts of hair can come off when cleaning a pet, especially if it squirms during bath time. A drain strainer can keep all that hair out of your pipes and will make cleaning the tub easier.<\/p>\n
\nOpen pipes and drains spell disaster for your plumbing and pets. In particular, puppies and kittens chew on pipes or drains to develop their teeth. Additionally, sometimes small pets become trapped in pipes or drains. To prevent these mishaps, buy drain covers and make sure all exposed drains are secure. You can also wrap your pipes to discourage chewing or block exposed pipes with heavy furniture or other objects. Make sure your pet has chew toys to keep his or her mouth occupied. Cover your floor drains if you have puppies, kittens, or other small animals like hamsters.<\/p>\n
\nNever flush your cat\u2019s litter or any other \u201cflushable\u201d pet products. Most of these products will harm your plumbing system. At the very least, they will dirty your pipes, which allows more\u00a0clogs\u00a0to build up. Change cat litter often and don\u2019t flush pet waste down the toilet.<\/p>\n