Pets and plumbing don’t mix. But you can take steps to make sure they coexist without major problems.

You had just gotten back from the newly renovated Crest Lake Dog Park this morning when, what did Bailey do? Ignored the fresh bowl of water in the kitchen and made a beeline for his favorite drinking spot – the toilet.

You grabbed him, mentally chastised the person who left the lid up, and got him out of the bathroom. While some dogs seem to love toilet water, but it’s not a good idea for them to drink it. As long as it’s scrupulously clean, it’s not likely a dog can catch anything, But, if there’s a trace of toilet cleaner or other disinfectant, or anything else in the toilet, your dog could become very sick and maybe die. The best cure is, of course, prevention and making sure the lid stays when the toilet’s not in use.

Toilets aren’t the only plumbing fixture that don’t get along well with dogs and other pets.

“As a dog or cat owner, you may be surprised to find just how much your plumbing and your pet affect each other,” nearsay.com says. “From extra hair in the drain to cats playing in toilets, new pet owners may be surprised by how often their animal causes an incident that requires a plumber’s help.”

Fortunately, for both your pet and your plumbing, there are steps you can take to avoid problematic critter-plumbing interactions. Nearsay.com suggests these four steps:

• Use traps in your drain to prevent doggie hair from clogging up the drain and pipes. You should also consider bathing your dog outside rather than in the tub or sink.
• Fix leaks. “Many cats are drawn to dripping faucets. Unfortunately, as they drink the water, they’ll also be lapping up any soaps and cleaners you use on your sink. Fix the drip to remove the temptation and protect their health.”
• Watch for dogs (and any wild or strays) who like to dig in the yard. “Your water and sewer pipes are often buried just under the surface, and an enthusiastic dog can damage them. By monitoring any digging your dog does, you can avoid having to call a plumber for emergency repairs.”
• Do NOT flush kitty litter. “Cat litter is designed to be extremely absorbent. When it is in water, it continues to soak up liquid and expand. This will clog your toilet, pipes, and possibly septic system, so even if your litter says it’s flushable, throw it away instead.”

Of course, no matter how careful you are, accidents do happen. And, plumbing can get clogged, leak, or act up for reasons unrelated to your four-legged family members. If that happens, you need to call a trusted plumbing specialist like the reliable plumbing technicians at Billy the Sunshine Plumber.

Billy the Sunshine Plumber has been the Tampa Bay plumber of choice since 1924 when he first opened for business. Billy the Sunshine Plumber is open 24/7/365 in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Days, nights, weekends, or holidays, Billy the Sunshine Plumber is always here for you.

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