Owning a dog comes with plenty of joys, but one of the less desirable parts of being a pet parent is dealing with their poop.
Fortunately, there are many ways to dispose of your pup’s waste, and flushing it down the toilet is one of them!
Although this isn’t always recommended, as it can cause some issues in your home’s plumbing, it can be a feasible option in some circumstances.
Keep reading to learn more about flushing doggy poop and whether or not it’s right for you!
Can you flush dog poop down the toilet?
Yes, you can flush dog poop down the toilet. When it comes to properly disposing of your pet’s waste, flushing it down the toilet is the way to go.
It is the most sanitary option, but it’s also the easiest and most convenient. Let’s explore this solution in greater detail.
The foremost thing to do is check with your local municipality to determine if it’s okay for you to dispose of dog waste in this manner.
Some areas have banned flushing dog poop due to costly clogs and backed-up sewage systems.
First, if you have a septic system or a smaller sewage system, you can simply flush the dog poop down the toilet just as you would human feces or household trash. It’s that simple!
When you check with a wastewater treatment facility, you may find that they require pet waste to be disposed of in a different way.
For example, some facilities want it bagged and sent to a landfill. Other facilities want you to pick it up with your regular household garbage and put it in the trash.
How do you dispose of dog poop at home?
Dog poop disposal at home should always be done correctly, and not just for the sake of the environment.
One way to dispose of dog poop at home is to put it in a trash can. Another way is to bury it in the ground. Some people think they should pick one method and stick with it, but a mix of both can be a good approach.
At home, dog poop should be disposed of only in biodegradable bags.
Don’t dispose of dog poop at home by flushing it down the toilet, bagging it and putting into the trash, or pouring it out on the ground. Pet owners make common mistakes when disposing of dog poop at home.
To properly dispose of dog poop at home, bag it and put the bag into the trash. This allows for city waste management workers to pick up dog poop at home and deal with it in an environmentally responsible way.
People who walk their dogs in rural areas should bury the dog poop in a hole, making sure to cover it completely after.
It is not recommended that people bury dog poop at home with a shovel because this can hit underground utility lines and cause damage to them.
Some pet owners who don’t dispose of dog poop at home properly in the trash or by burying it can find themselves fined for improperly disposing of dog poop.
The best way to deal with dog poop at home is to use two separate trash cans, one for regular garbage and one for dog poop.
· Animal waste should never be disposed of in a backyard compost pile because the waste can carry organisms that could make people sick.
A straightforward way to dispose of dog poop at home is by flushing it. This may seem environmentally responsible, but this method does not get rid of the dog poop completely.
By flushing it, you’re just sending it to a water treatment facility where it will be filtered and potentially put back into the environment.
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Can you throw dog poop in the sewer?
There are different rules about getting rid of dog poop depending on whether you have a septic tank, what type of sewage system you have, and the country you live in.
To find out your city’s regulations for disposing of dog poop and other waste, contact the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
However, if it is allowed in your area, then yes, typically, pet waste can be flushed down the toilet.
Flushing your pet’s waste may help prevent clogging or backup, which could cause sewage spills and damage to underground pipes.
To keep contaminants from spreading through groundwater sources, always take care not to flush more than two cups at a time – approximately halfway around the toilet bowl for a traditional bowl set-up.
Even though some pet waste can be flushed down the drain, it is never recommended that pet waste be flushed down a septic system.
Read More- Can you flush Gum down the toilet?
Why should you not flush dog poop?
Suppose you have a larger sewage system that collects waste and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility. In that case, you’ll need to check with the facility first.
Some facilities prohibit flushing pet waste for a variety of reasons:
Pet waste can contain parasites and other microorganisms. These microorganisms (source) and parasites don’t normally cause problems for our pets. Still, if they are flushed down the toilet and enter a sewage system, they can reproduce.
Large quantities of these microorganisms and parasites can overwhelm sewage treatment when this happens.
· This can lead to treatment failure, which results in untreated waste being released into rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Pet waste can also contain bacteria and viruses, which are easily transmitted to humans through contact with the water in lakes, rivers, or oceans. This can be a risk for anyone who comes in contact with these water sources.
Another reason to avoid flushing pet waste is that it can clog sewage systems. This is especially true for older sewer systems, which are more likely to have tree roots in them or are just more narrow.
Finally, pet waste contains nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous. When too many of these nutrients enter a water system, it can cause algal blooms. Algae can deplete oxygen in the water, killing fish and other organisms.
Can you put animal poop down the toilet?
When it comes to flushing animal excrement down the toilet, some things to bear in mind.
First, you should always check with your local municipality to make sure it’s okay to dispose of pet waste in this manner.
Some areas have banned flushing pet waste due to clogged sewers and overwhelmed wastewater treatment facilities.
If your municipality approves, there are a few ways you can go about flushing your pet’s waste down the toilet.
The most convenient way is to simply flush it down like you would human feces or household trash. This will work perfectly if you have a septic system or a smaller sewage system.
This method is not recommended if you have a larger sewage system that collects waste and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility.
Wastewater treatment plants cannot handle the increased volume of pet waste. There’s a good chance the waste will cause a clog.
One way to control this from happening is by combining your pet’s waste with other forms of organic matter.
· Like as You can mix it with your own feces or compostable yard waste to dilute its concentration.
· An easier way to dispose of pet waste is by purchasing a product that will break down both the water and solid matter in your pet’s waste. These products are known as pet-waste digesters or septic tank treatments.
· Another option is to purchase a composting product that will break down the pet waste and the grass and other yard debris you put in it. These products do not use harsh chemicals to break down organic matter, so they are safe to use around pets and humans.
· There are also biodegradable dog waste bags on the market that can be thrown away like other conventional garbage bags or used to dispose of your pet’s waste the old-fashioned way.
You should also note that you should not flush your pet’s medications and other chemicals down the toilet.
· These substances can cause environmental damage if they enter a waterway or groundwater source. Keep your prescription medications out of reach of pets and children.
· If you have to get rid of any chemicals, contact your local municipality for safe disposal instructions.
Wrap up on dog poop in the toilet
Flushing dog poop down the toilet may seem easy and convenient, but it’s not always the best one.
There are a few things to keep in mind before making this decision.
· Make sure to check with your local municipality to see if it’s okay to flush pet waste down the toilet. If it is, you have a few options available to you.
· If you have a septic system or a smaller sewage system, flushing dog poop down the toilet is as simple as flushing human feces or household trash.
· Just make sure that your municipality approves of this method first!
· If you have a larger sewage system that collects waste and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility, be sure to check with the facility first.