I wanted to start a separate thread concerning this issue. I use the World's Best Cat Litter, which claims that it is flushable. I worry about clogging my toilet or septic system. So far, I have never had a problem with everything going down in one flush. I scoop the boxes twice a day and my toilets have good flush ratings so I haven't dealt with any clogs, human or cat related so far... But I still am concerned.
Here is what the website has to say, read #9
http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/learn...ons.php#09
Sound's like they say it is ok, as long as you aren't dumping a whole bunch down at once.
Anyone else hear anything otherwise?
I've read that it's a bad idea, no matter what the package says. It's especialy bad for septic systems. It's terribly tempting, but I won't risk it.
janilee
We've talked to two different plumbers at two different times.
One said "Never. Don't do it unless you've got money banked for me to come back and do some SERIOUS work for you". The other one said "As long as it's biodegradable and has NO clay or clumping products, it should be fine". (Not WILL be fine...."should" be fine)
Honestly, it's just so easy to scoop, put it in a bag and toss, I'm just not willing to run the risk. The hundreds or thousands of dollars it could cost to fix plumbing or a septic system? I'd rather have in my Roth and not in a plumbers pocket. LOL
As I've said we use WBCL multiple and have been flushing it down the toilet. We have a title 5 septic system. When they were kittens, there was never a problem flushing litter down the toilet. Once they turned a year I switched to multiple cat WB. Because their waste was larger (by far), I started having to use the plunger more and more often. When I finally used my common sense (not always in working order) I realized these "clumps" were now too big and would clog the pipes. Not to mention someone's point on another thread that it is CLUMPING litter and water from flushing would only harden the lumps, not break it down. Now I see on their website The multiple formula stays together better and is firmer. I may already have problems from flushing the last year, so we now put all urine clumps in the trash. I'd rather be safe than sorry. You need a loan to pay plumbers on Cape Cod and a second mortgage to put in a new septic. I love the litter because it is easy, never smells, and has to be changed less often. If I have to bag, it's still worth it.
I use Feline Pine (the pellets, not the clumping formula), and I flush the poop even if some of the litter is sticking to it and it's been fine. But it's not a lot of litter, and it's not clumping. (I know this is only tangentially applicable to the question, but I wanted to share my experience in case anyone else is reading this who uses pine pellet litter)
(03-04-2010 08:59 PM)gussie Wrote: [ -> ]Not to mention someone's point on another thread that it is CLUMPING litter and water from flushing would only harden the lumps, not break it down.
I was thinking that although it does clump, that when submerged in water it should break down. The clumping I would *think* only happens when there is more solids around to absorb the liquid. When there is more liquid than solid, I wouldn't expect the clumps to stay whole.
WB also says their litter is biodegradable and has "a very low nutrient value and will be digested (cellulose fiber and starch) naturally by the natural occurring bacteria in the septic tank system without causing blockages."
I am still going to read further into this and am definitely considering quitting. Solo is a big kitty now at 10 months old and I still have yet to have had to plunge any of my toilets.
I also live in a townhome/condo unit so I would imagine our septic system is shared and meant to support many many more people than just in my house hold...but the idea of breaking it and needing repair does lurk. I may address my home owners board about it and ask their opinion, if I may continue and they think it is safe for our specific system or not.
Hi, I use a clumping litter for two litter pans....It takes me less than 2 minutes to clean out the clumps and bag it from each litter pan. Don't have to pick up the pans and carry them to the bathroom either which would probably take longer......I use my grocery bags to bag the "stuff" lol and put in my garbage cans outside. Sometimes I do this twice a day, it takes no time at all. I would never flush litter of any kind....
Catherine
I seem to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea on this one. Currently I use a clumping litter which I scoop and toss in the bin but I have been looking into changing to a flushable litter because the local council have fitted micro-chips to the wheelie bins with a view to monitoring the weight of the rubbish each household disposes each week. If our rubbish is deemed too heavy then a premium tax will be added to the council tax we already pay to have such luxuries as rubbish collection. Trouble is, I live in a three storey victorian house with victorian drainage systems so will they be able to cope with flushable litter? Also, we only have one toilet so will I be able to cope if it's out of action due to litter blockages????? HELP!!!!
jane do you have a garden??
could you try the biodegradable litters like oz-pet and feline pine??
im pretty sure you can put this in the garden. Although, im not sure how this would smell... might be ok if your garden is large. you could dig a bit of a hole and fill it up.
just a suggestion, however i have no idea how it would go. (i emptied my cats litter trays into the garden bed once but i found it easier just to fill up a plastic bag and dump it in the bin.)
I use World's best cat litter for multiple cats and I used to flush too, but now I don't. We have had several issues with our septic tank, even though we pay for sewage........ yeah, that is a whole other story. Although I don't believe our septic problems were due to the litter at all, I just feel a bit better emptying the litter into ziploc bags, then sealed up in store bags.
