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 feel safe and protected in your home.
There are some helpful pet owners plumbing tips to make sure your household and pet are kept 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 to. Drinking water from the toilet is not only unhygienic, your pet may get sick if there are cleaning products left over.
Some tips for pet owners to make sure their pets stay out of the bathroom are to keep the toilet lid closed when you are not using them and close the door to the washroom. You can leave plenty of freshwater around your property for your cat or dog.
You shouldn't be flushing any cat litter down your toilet. Cat litter and feces is can carry harmful parasites that will infect the drinking water and recycled water in your municipality. 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 into a bin.
Shower drains
Some people hire professional pet groomers to clean their furry friends, or people opt for giving them a wash at home. The trouble with using your own 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 through 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 hair before it makes its way down the pipes. Remember to clean up any leftover hair in your washtub or shower.
Pipes
Dogs love to dig and 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 dig, you may want to look into some training to redirect their activities.
You can let them play and dig in an area that you know is safe. This will prevent your loveable pets from hurting themselves and damaging your plumbing.
Keeping your pet and your plumbing safe
We must also take measures to protect our pets just like we do to protect our children. You should cover all drains and valves so that pets can't access them. If you plan to bathe your pets, you may also wish to install a pressure-balancing valve to ensure that they are comfortable and safe.
These are just some pet owners plumbing tips that can help to let your pets live comfortable 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.
