Disposing of cat waste on a daily basis can be a pain. Many cat owners eventually find themselves wondering if used litter can simply be flushed down the toilet. This question is logical enough. After all, cat litter contains a form of excrement.

The simple answer is “No“. Although there are some types of cat litter that are marketed as flushable, this does not mean that flushing is an acceptable method for disposal.

Clogs

Not all types of cat litter are flushable, and flushing the non-flushable cat litter can clog pipes. Many types of cat litter are designed to absorb moisture, and will expand by as much as 15 times its original size.

Even if the granules of cat litter have already expanded somewhat at the time of flushing, they could expand by much more once they enter the pipes. Choosing to flush the wrong type of cat litter could be devastating to your plumbing.

Public Health Risk

Cats are possible carriers of a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in cat excrement. The majority of humans that become infected with this parasite are unaware of their condition because their immune systems are able to fight off infection without symptoms.

Individuals with a compromised immune system, such as pregnant women, may exhibit severe symptoms that include redness of the eyes, blurry vision and pain. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, the fetus may suffer brain damage or damage to the eyes. Infection of Toxoplasma gondii has also been linked to some mental conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

Flushing cat litter down the toilet, even if that cat litter is marketed as safe for pipes, allows Toxoplasma gondii to enter the water supply and increases the possibility of public infection.

In short, it is NOT advisable to flush kitty litter down the toilet in ANY circumstance.