If I have a septic tank, can I flush my dog’s poop? Veterinarian-verified facts and information

By SecretWuff 6 Min Read

Information is based on the latest veterinary research.

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That just seems intuitive, right? If you poop in the toilet, flush it, and never look at the toilet again. During your dog’s training and final stages of life, accidents may occur in your home. Wouldn’t it be very convenient if you could just flush your dog’s excrement down the toilet? After all, what harm is there? but, If you have a septic tank, don’t flush your dog’s poop down the toilet.

This article aims to explain the safety risks of flushing dog poop so you can be extra careful.

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Why you shouldn’t flush dog poop

Whether you’re using the city water supply or have a septic tank at home, you shouldn’t flush dog poop. This is because dog waste contains elements that human waste does not. These elements, such as hair, grass, and other indigestible materials, can cause blockages and damage to your pipes. Dog poop also contains a different bacterial composition that can ruin the delicate septic tank environment.

This can lead to breakdowns and septic system failures, which can lead to problems with drain fields and tanks, which can be expensive to repair.

So while this may seem like the smartest thing you can do, it certainly has a corresponding impact.

Close-up of a woman's hand scooping
Image credits: cunaplus, Shutterstock

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How to deal with smelly poop

Smelly poop can be one of the worst things for our puppies. However, there are better ways to manage them than just throwing them in the trash. In this article, we would like to introduce some alternative ideas that you can use when disposing of dog waste.

compost

Composting your dog’s waste is a great way to dispose of it and give it back to nature. If composted correctly, placing compost on non-edible plants can help them grow. Following a recipe is important for successful composting.

Recipes typically use things like sawdust, grass clippings, and eggshells, so everything breaks down properly. Keep in mind that certain dog waste can still be a problem in this situation. If you feed your dog an all-raw diet, certain bacteria can be transmitted to the formed soil. If your dog is sick or has recently taken medication, you may also want to avoid composting this type of dog waste.

The only thing to note about this special treatment method is that it cannot be used on edible plants. Dog feces can carry bacteria, and you don’t want cross-contamination.

use dog poop bags

Dog poop bags are useful on the go, but they’re just as useful at home. Why only reserve dog poop bags for the park? You can have your own backyard cleaned up.

Dog poop bags are available basically everywhere. Both online and in-store options litter the shelves. There is no need to go to a dog specialty store to buy one. If you plan on putting it in the kitchen trash can, we recommend double or triple bagging it.

However, simply throwing it in an outdoor trash can is a very clean and easy way to dispose of things.

For cheaper dog poop bags, look for your grocery bag stash. Most of us seem to have an endless supply of these bags that double as dog poop disposal bags, but they may not contain as much odor as other methods.

dog poop bag
Image credit: Pam Walker, Shutterstock

buy a pet genie

Pet Genies are literally designed to get the job done. If you have a Pet Genie, you can take care of all the poop stains without creating the awful odor that comes with poop. It may be a bit of an expensive investment upfront, but if you use it for the right reasons, it will quickly pay for itself. Pet genies are so discreet that no one will notice if you keep them in your home. When you let the Pet Genie hang out, it picks up all the odors from the waste in the container.

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conclusion

Now you know more about why you shouldn’t actually flush pet waste if you have a septic tank. Although it’s unfortunate, it’s not your only option, so don’t be discouraged. There are many different options you can try, some of which we have discussed in the article, so feel free to give them a try.


Featured image credit: woodHunt, Shutterstock

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