How to Protect Your Plumbing from Pets

It’s no secret that pets are an important part of the family. We do everything we can to keep them happy, safe, and comfortable; but we also take great precautions, so they don’t hurt themselves on anything in the home. It’s common to pet-proof a kitchen, kids’ room, office, and most other living spaces, but what about your plumbing? Your plumbing system is an intricate maze of pipes and fittings that could easily be damaged by, or hurt, one of your furry family members. Because of this, we’re sharing the best ways to pet proof your plumbing.

Bathe Pets Outside

Bathing your pets outside is a great way to protect your plumbing. What dog owner hasn’t seen their pet roll around in a mud puddle? Now think of all that mud and dirt collecting in your drain. If you regularly wash your pet in the shower, you should be ready to deal with a large clog in the future, especially if your dog is large and extra furry. When you wash your pet, all that hair and debris needs to go somewhere and unfortunately, it’s your drain. If the weather permits, we recommend washing your pet outside. If it’s too cold or too hot, take your pet inside, but invest in a good drain stopper that will catch everything before it goes down your pipes.

Don’t Flush Kitty Litter

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we wish cleaning the litter box were cleaner and easier. Cats are majestic beasts, but dealing with the littler box is a less than fun task. Though some litter companies may claim their litter is flushable, please don’t flush any kitty litter down the toilet; no matter how small the amount may be. Most litter is made to grow up to 60,000 times its original size. Meaning, when flushed, even in small amounts, it will clog your toilet.

Make sure Your Pets Always Have Fresh Water

If your pet runs out of water on a warm day, there’s no way for them to get more, unless they resort to the toilet or faucets. While this isn’t super detrimental to your plumbing system, it could have dangerous consequences for your pet. It’s true that toilet water is pretty clean, but chances are your cleaning chemicals aren’t. Another issue with drinking out of the toilet is injury. Yes, humans are not the only ones at risk. A quick slip of the paw could lead to injury or in some cases drowning for smaller pets. Best to ensure your pets’ water bowls are filled twice per day and monitored during the warm summer.

Stop the Digging

Dogs love to dig. Many dogs are bred to dig; your hunting breeds and terriers are biologically wired to dig holes to find prey. Other dogs find digging to be a good stress relief, while others naturally seek shelter in a burrow. While its fun to let your dog dig, for the sake of your plumbing, and your yard, you’ll want to curb this behavior as soon as possible. Most pipes are about a foot and half below the dirt in your yard. If a larger dog, or a really enthusiastic digger, decides to dig into your plumbing, you could face a visit from the plumber and a large bill to follow.

Cover Any Exposed Pipes

Pets like to chew. From the cat that enjoys chewing wires, to the dog that chomps shoes, it’s just a thing many pets do. A true problem comes when your pet decides to gnaw on any exposed pipes. Though small wires and clothes are annoying to fix, they’re usually easy to replace. The same cannot be said about your plumbing system. If your dog’s jaws are strong enough, it could lead to a busted pipe, or even a flood. If you have exposed pipes, ask your plumber what your best cover options are. They’ll be able to guide you to a solution that’s not a complete eyesore.

Call Bell Brothers

Have any questions about pet proofing your plumbing? We’ll dispatch an expertly trained, licensed plumbing technician to your home as soon as possible. Bell Brothers is your trusted HVAC, plumbing, and window service company proudly assisting our Sacramento, Vacaville, and Stockton community. To schedule an appointment, call (916) 226-9677 and speak to one of our friendly call center representatives today.