After adopting a pet, you’re likely excited about introducing it to your home, family, toys, and other fun adventures. However, pet owners also need to conduct some research on how their furry friend will impact their lifestyle. Many homeowners don’t realize that pets will affect their septic system, but they do. Below are a few guidelines for new animal parents to follow in regards to their plumbing.

Do:

Keep pets off the leach field.

Septic systems have leach fields, where moisture travels into the soil after undergoing anaerobic digestion inside the septic tank. It’s essential to keep dogs and cats away from this zone as repetitive traffic can wear away at the grass and expose the dirt underneath. This may disrupt the septic process by preventing contaminant removal from surface wastewater.

Hide pipes.

Pets may grow bored if left at home or in the yard. Some like to dig while others opt to chew, but either habit can wreak havoc on exposed pipes as pups may bite or rip them out of the wall or dig them out of the ground. Avoid a septic system interruption by hiding your pipes inside the walls, under covers, or in cabinetry, so curious animals won’t mess with them. If your plumbing is underground, keep animals busy while outside by playing with them to avoid digging out of boredom.

Don’t:

Flush poop bags.

Whether your pup has an accident in the house or you did your duty and picked up after them during your walk, it may be tempting to flush the evidence down the toilet. However, poop bags are not biodegradable and can clog the pipes or otherwise disrupt the septic system. Instead, toss the bags into an outdoor trash bin to keep the smell outside and prevent creating a septic emergency.

Flush kitty litter.

Cat litter is made out of absorbent materials to soak up urine and feces and trap odors. Flushing these substances creates buildup inside the pipes, which can cause sewage backup over time. Scoop cat litter into a bag and place it in the trash, so you won’t have to worry about it affecting your septic system.

If you’re experiencing a pet-related plumbing emergency, contact Wild West Plumbing Heating & Drain Service in Flathead County, MT, for assistance. The family-owned company has helped install, maintain, and pump septic systems around the area, and their motto is, “Happy today or you don’t pay.” This principle applies to all their services, which include plumbing repair, water softener installation, furnace maintenance, and more. Call (406) 752-1244 to learn about their Kalispell location, or visit the website to learn more about their services.