Your pet is a precious member of your household, and although you cherish time spent with them, there is a risk that they can get into your plumbing system and fixtures.
Animals are naturally curious, and they love to explore their environment. This can sometimes end up in disaster. As a pet owner, it is up to you to keep your furry friend safe and protected in your home.
Some helpful pet owner’s plumbing tips to keep your household and pet happy.
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Toilets
Animals are not aware of what is suitable water to drink. If they see open water, they will be inclined to try it. And if your toilet seat is left open, the toilet bowl is one of the first places they will go. Drinking water from the toilet bowl is unclean, and your pet may get sick if cleaning products are left over.
Some tips for pet owners to ensure their pets stay out of the bathroom are to keep the toilet lid closed when you are not using it and close the door to the washroom. You can leave plenty of fresh water for your cat or dog around your property.
It would be best not to flush pet waste or cat litter down your toilet. Cat litter and feces can carry harmful parasites that infect your municipality’s drinking and recycled water. It will also block your drains.
Always empty the contents of your kitty litter into a garbage bag and double bag to create a good barrier. And dispose of it in a bin.
Shower drains
Some people hire professional pet groomers to clean their furry friends, or people opt to wash them at home. The trouble with using your shower or bath is the risk of pet hair, dirt and debris clogging up the drain.
You can prevent a blocked drain with some simple steps. Try giving your pet a good brush before bathing to remove excess fur. This can also remove dirt they have accumulated from the yard or their walk. It is always best to have a stopper or strainer to catch pet hair before it goes down the pipes. Remember to clean up any excess pet hair in your washtub or shower.
Pipes
Dogs love to dig; one of their favourite places is in the backyard. You may think it is just natural for your pets to be exploring. They run the risk of exposed pipes if they dig hard enough. If your dog is known to search, you may want to find some training to redirect its activities.
You can let them play and dig in a safe area. This will prevent your loveable pets from hurting themselves and damaging your plumbing.
Keep your pet and your plumbing safe.
We must also protect our pets just like we do to protect our children. It would be best to cover all drains and valves so pets can’t access them. If you plan to bathe your pets, you may also wish to install a pressure-balancing valve to ensure comfort and safety.
As a bonus, a water or sewer line may sometimes be located less than two feet below the ground’s surface. If your dog is a frequent and aggressive dirt excavator, keep an eye on what it is up to. It’s not necessarily likely that it could put a hole in a sewer or water line, but it is possible.
These are just some pet owner plumbing tips that can help you let your pets live comfortably alongside you without interrupting your plumbing at home. Remember to call a plumber if you notice any exposed pipes or an overflow of water in your yard.
