Cleaning cat litter is not a job for the faint of heart. The smell alone can leave your eyes watering. However, as unpleasant a job it is, you shouldn't take shortcuts by pouring cat litter into a toilet. Although at first, you won't notice any issues, in time, the buildup of cat litter and cat feces in your toilet will cause a blockage. 

Most Cat Litter Is Made of Clay

Did you know that most modern cat litter contains bentonite clay? This form of clay hardens when it comes into contact with water. You'll have noticed that when cleaning out your cat's litter tray. For instance, what you often find when you begin cleaning cat litter is that it has formed into hard clumps that stick to the tray as you clean it.

Pouring cat litter into a toilet, even in small amounts, will eventually cause a blockage that will render your toilet and possibly nearby sinks unusable. Over several weeks, even small amounts of cat litter will clump together and block your toilet. But that's not the only reason not to dump cat litter into your toilet.

Cat Litter Can Spread Disease

Cat feces will most likely contain Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite that infects humans and warm-blooded mammals. As a result, flushing cat litter down the toilet may put your health at risk, and that of any other mammal that comes into contact with it as it journeys through the sewer system.

If you continuously dispose of cat litter down your toilet, the plumbing in your home might become home to a colony of Toxoplasma gondii parasites. This is especially risky when the household in question is home to a pregnant woman. The Toxoplasma gondii parasite can harm an unborn fetus, damaging the fetus' eyes and brain.

Not only that but once those parasites reach the ocean, they could then go on to infect sea mammals, such as sea otters and other marine mammals. As a result, you should instead dispose of your kitty's litter by double bagging it and throwing it out with your general rubbish.

Notify a Local Plumber

If you suspect that cat litter has blocked your toilet, call a local plumber to help you remove the blockage. However, ensure that you inform them that cat litter may be the cause. That way, they can take the necessary precautions to ensure that they are safe from contamination.

For more information on hot water units and blocked drains, contact your local plumber today.