Pet Owners Plumbing Tips

As pet owners know, there are plenty of interesting developments that come along with owning Fido or Fluffy. Some of the most interesting and most frustrating involve plumbing issues pet owners may face from time to time, for these problems can sometimes result in extensive repair bills.

To ensure you can keep your Arlington home plumbing system in excellent shape while also enjoying the companionship of your dog or cat, here are some tips to ensure all goes well.

Purchase a Drain Strainer

Every now and then, even the cleanest pet needs a bath. When this is the case, it’s always a good idea to have a drain strainer handy for your Arlington’s home bathtub.

Whether a pet has short hair or long hair, plenty of it will find its way down the drain during a bath if an owner isn’t careful.

When this happens, the pipes below will at some point become clogged and require the services of a plumber to be cleared.

Even when a pet doesn’t appear to be shedding before the bath, chances are there will still be lots of hair going down the drain.

Beware of Flushable Products

Many of today’s cat litter products bill themselves as being flushable and completely safe for all plumbing and septic systems. However, as most plumbers can attest, that’s not always true.

In fact, most of the problems pet owners have with their plumbing systems come from flushing used litter and other items down the toilet. Because of this, plumbers always recommend scooping out litter boxes and tossing everything into a trashcan. In addition, pets often eat items they cannot digest well, such as bones.

If these items are also flushed down a toilet, the pipes can eventually become clogged and require a plumber’s expertise to be cleaned out. For best results, refrain from flushing any of your pet’s waste or other items down the toilet.

Don’t Drink from the Toilet

While many people think letting their dogs drink from the toilet is harmless, it can actually lead to clogged drains and pipes. If they are allowed to do so often enough, their hair will get into the toilet and eventually into the pipes.

Along with this, any exposed pipes and drains should also be covered so they cannot be chewed on or gotten into accidentally. Plumbers can install drain covers designed to keep pets out, which can help avoid an unexpected emergency.

Don’t let your fluffy pup clog up your drain! If you need drain cleaning in your Arlington, VA home call The Plumbing Dr. at (703) 525-9280 today!