Can You Flush Dog Poop If You Have a Septic Tank? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

It only seems intuitive, right? You poop in a toilet, flush it down, and never look at it again. During the training phases or end stages of your dog’s life, they’re going to be having accidents in the house. Wouldn’t it be so much more convenient if you could just flush your dog’s waste down the toilet as well? After all, what could be the harm? However, you shouldn’t flush your dog’s poop down the toilet if you have a septic tank.

In this article, we aim to explain the safety risks of flushing dog poop so that you can be extra cautious.

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Why You Shouldn’t Flush Your Dog’s Poop

Whether you are on a city water system or have a septic tank for your house, you shouldn’t flush dog poop. This is because dog waste has certain elements that human waste does not. These elements, such as hair, grass, or other indigestibles can cause potential clogs and damages to your pipes. Dog poop also has a different bacterial makeup that could mess up your delicate septic tank environment.

This can lead to a failure to break down or it could cause your septic system to fail, potentially leading to drain field or tank issues which can be expensive to fix.

So, while it might seem like the most sensible thing you can do, it certainly has its fair share of repercussions.

Closeup of a woman's hand scooping up
Image Credit: cunaplus, Shutterstock

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Ways to Dispose of Stinky Poops

Stinky poops might be one of the worst things about our pups. However, there are better ways to manage it than just sticking it in your trash can and calling it a day. In this article, we want to give you some alternative ideas that you can use when you are disposing of your dog’s waste.

Compost

Composting your dog’s waste is a great way to get rid of it and to give back to nature. If it’s composted correctly, you can put your compost on your non-edible plants to help them thrive. For successful composting, it’s important to follow a recipe.

Recipes will typically use things such as sawdust, grass clippings, and egg shells so everything breaks down as it should. Remember that certain dog waste can be problematic even in these scenarios. If you feed your dog an all raw diet, it can transmit certain bacteria to the forming soil. If your dog has been ill or has recently taken medications, you’ll want to avoid composting this type of dog waste as well.

The only thing that we will mention about this particular way of disposal is that it can’t be used on edible plants. Dog poop can still transmit bacteria and we wouldn’t want any cross contamination.

Use Doggy Poop Bags

Doggy poop bags can be great on the go, but they can be equally beneficial at home. Why only reserve your dog poop bags for the park? You can have them to clean up your very own backyard.

You can get doggy poop bags essentially anywhere! Both online and in store options litter the shelves. You don’t even have to go to a doggy specific store to get them. We recommend double or even triple bagging them if you plan on putting them in your kitchen trash can.

However, if you’re just going to chuck it in the outdoor trash can, it’s a really clean and easy way to dispose of things.

For a less expensive source of dog poop bags, look to your stash of grocery bags. Most of us seem to have a never-ending supply of these bags which will work as dog poop disposal bags as well, they just may not contain the smell as well 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, it can take care of all those poopy messes without the overwhelming smell associated with it. They might be a bit of an investment up front, but when you use them for the right reasons, it can certainly pay off in no time. Pet Genies are so discreet that you could have them in your home and no one would even know. You can have a Pet Genie hanging around and it will contain all of the smells from the waste inside of the container.

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Conclusion

So now you understand the ins and outs of why you really shouldn’t flush your pet’s waste if you have a septic tank. While it is unfortunate, it’s not the only option that you have, so don’t get discouraged! You can try all sorts of different options, some of which we described in the article, so give one a try!


Featured Image Credit: woodHunt, Shutterstock

The post Can You Flush Dog Poop If You Have a Septic Tank? Vet-Verified Facts & Info appeared first on PangoVet.

The Most Popular Cat Names That Start With Z (Updated for 2024)

Cats can be zany, zealous, and even Zen at times. So, why not choose a popular name for your cat that starts with the letter Z? There happens to be plenty out there to choose from. Some are extremely unique, others are fun, some are serious, and others are adorable. Here are 10 of the most popular cat names that start with this letter, plus 80 other Z names that could suit your cat.

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The Most Popular Cat Names Starting With Z

You want the scoop on the most popular cat names that start with Z, so we’re here to provide it! Cats.com had an online vote on the most popular cat names that start with the letter Z. Let’s look at the ones that are currently the most popular!

Note: People can still vote for their favorite names on the website, so the rankings may change in the future.

The 5 Most Popular Male Names That Start With Z

1. Ziggy

Coming in first place is Ziggy, with 197 votes! Ziggy, which could also be suitable for a female cat, is the nickname of Zigmund, meaning “victorious protector”. You might be familiar with the name of the musician Ziggy Marley.


2. Zed

In second place with 173 votes is Zed, which is short for Zedekiah and has a religious translation of “God is righteousness”. Zedekiah is a bit too long of a name for some, so shortening to Zed works!

orange cat in front of green door
Image Credit: MolnarSzabolcsErdely, Pixabay

3. Zero

Zero has come in third with 144 votes. Naming your cat Zero might seem strange because it means “nothing or empty”. However, you can think of Zero as the number, a circle that can represent infinity!


4. Zedong

This name is actually tied with the fifth-place name with 130 votes. Zedong is a combination of two Chinese Mandarin characters: “ze” (zealous) and “dong” (the east). Loosely translated into English, Zedong means “zealous for the East”.


5. Zeus

Tied with Zedong with 130 votes is Zeus. Does your cat rule your kingdom? The name Zeus might fit them perfectly. Known as the supreme ruler of Olympia, this name recognizes the power that your cat has in your home.

a savannah cat on a cat tree
Image Credit: AJR_photo, Shutterstock

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The 5 Most Popular Female Names That Start With Z

1. Zina

The most popular female cat name is Zina, with 197 votes! This name is beautiful and a bit mysterious. It is of Russian origin and means “the diminutive form of Zinovia.”


2. Zhen

If your cat is truly precious to you, consider the name Zhen. Coming in as the second most popular female Z name with 184 votes, Zhen is of Chinese origin and means “precious,” “rare,” or “treasure”.


3. Zia

Our number three ranking with 170 votes is Zia. This name closely sounds like Mia or Gia. This name means “grain”, “light”, and “splendor”.


4. Zelda

Ranking as the third most popular name with 166 votes is Zelda. Are you into video games? Naming your cat Zelda will let all gamers know of your hobby and interest!

cute kitten getting cozy
Image Credit: Chiemsee2024, Pixabay

5. Zadie

The fourth most popular name with 158 votes. Zadie, a variant of Sadie, is of American origin that means Princess. This name will be perfect if you have a cat that likes to be treated like royalty.

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Other Great Cat Names That Start With Z

If none of the names on the most popular list don’t float your boat, you might be more interested in a unique name for your kitty. Consider one or more of the following options.

40 Male Cat Names That Start With Z

  • Zaboo
  • Zachariah
  • Zahir
  • Zane
  • Zaney
  • Zanzibar
  • Zap
  • Zaphod
  • Zavier
  • Zeca
  • Zeddicus
  • Zeisner
  • Zenith
  • Zeo
  • Zephan
  • Zeppo
  • Zeppy
  • Zerek
  • Zeunert
  • Zhuzhu
  • Zico
  • Zig
  • Zin
  • Zinger
  • Zinko
  • Zio
  • Zipfer
  • Ziploc
  • Zippo
  • Zircon
  • Zissou
  • Zito
  • Zoldberg
  • Zoloft
  • Zombia
  • Zoomie
  • Zorba
  • Zork
  • Zuni
  • Zuriel

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strong calico cat outdoors
Image Credit: Xtrodinary, Pixabay

40 Female Cat Names That Start With Z

  • Zabrina
  • Zada
  • Zafrina
  • Zaha
  • Zaheera
  • Zahra
  • Zamia
  • Zanile
  • Zanita
  • Zaria
  • Zarina
  • Zarla
  • Zarna
  • Zatanna
  • Zaviera
  • Zayda
  • Zeba
  • Zebra
  • Zeina
  • Zeita
  • Zeldy
  • Zelene
  • Zelina
  • Zella
  • Zebra
  • Zielona
  • Zilla
  • Zima
  • Zimbra
  • Zipper
  • Zirconia
  • Ziti
  • Zo
  • Zodiac
  • Zoey
  • Zoja
  • Zora
  • Zowle
  • Zua
  • Zuka

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scottish fold kitten on mirror and wooden texture
Image Credit: dien, Shutterstock

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Tips to Help You Choose a Name for Your Cat

It can be tough to figure out what to name a new kitty. The name must last a lifetime! The truth is that your new cat won’t care what you call them. However, their name is something that you’ll have to enjoy saying and hearing as time goes on. Therefore, it’s a good idea to put serious thought into the name-choosing process. Here are a few tips to make the process easier:

  • Make a list of just 10 cat names you like the best, and work through the list by trying each name on “for size” for a day or two. See how it feels and sounds coming off the tongue. From there, you can more easily figure out which name is the right one for your kitty.
  • Ask your friends and family members for their opinions about the names that you like best. They might have suggestions that you like better, or they may be able to help you narrow your top picks.
  • Choose a name that doesn’t sound too similar to any other names of pets or people in your house so your kitty does not get confused when you call and interact with them.

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Conclusion

Whether your cat is male or female, shy or outgoing, playful or independent, chances are that you’ll find the perfect name on this list!


Featured Image Credit: Kanashi, Pixabay

The post The Most Popular Cat Names That Start With Z (Updated for 2024) appeared first on PangoVet.

275+ Western Dog Names for Your Cowboy Canine

Whether you live in a place with endless skies and mountain vistas or are simply fascinated by the Wild Wild West, there’s no doubt that you’re going to find Western-themed name inspiration for your new dog. Even though choosing a name for a new pup seems like an easy task, there is a lot more that goes into it, and many people find themselves struggling to settle on a name.

At the end of the day, you’re going to want something that both you and your dog seem to enjoy, and there are a few tricks that might help. First, let’s discuss some tips for naming your dog, then you can scroll through our list of Western names for dogs for inspiration.

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How to Name Your Dog

As we’ve already mentioned, picking a name for your new dog isn’t always as simple as finding a name you like and sticking with it. You can do that, of course, but some pet parents find that the name they thought would be the perfect moniker doesn’t actually end up fitting the pup’s personality, and that’s the best place to start! Don’t rush into picking a name if you’re not 100% certain of your choice. Take some time to learn your dog’s temperament and quirks, which could lead you to gold.

You also need to consider the length of your dog’s name. It’s said that short, two-syllable names that end in a vowel are easier for dogs to learn and a lot quicker for you to say. Georgianna, for example, might sound cute, but Georgie would also be fitting and would increase the chances of your dog being responsive.

At the end of the day, though, there are no rules, and if you find something that you feel is truly fitting, then you can name your dog whatever you like!

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Famous Western Female Names

West Highland White Terrier standing outside
Image Credit: anetapics, Shutterstock

One of the best places to start when it comes to names is with famous characters. These names range from sharpshooters to performers at the Grand Ole Opry to popular characters in movies and television.

  • Alma (Deadwood)
  • Annie Oakley (American sharpshooter and folk heroine)
  • Belle Starr (American outlaw)
  • Beth Dutton (Yellowstone)
  • Bonnie (Bonnie & Clyde)
  • Calamity Jane (American frontierswoman, sharpshooter, and storyteller)
  • Cat (Cat Ballou)
  • Daisy Duke (The Dukes of Hazzard)
  • Dirty Sally (TV series)
  • Etta (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)
  • Inara (Firefly)
  • Jayne (Firefly)
  • Kaylee (Firefly)
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder (Author of The Little House on the Prairie series)
  • Lorena (Lonesome Dove)
  • Lureen (Brokeback Mountain)
  • Minnie Pearl (American comedian at the Grand Ole Opry)
  • Pearl (Duel in the Sun)
  • River (Firefly)
  • Teeter (Yellowstone)
  • Wynonna (Wynonna Earp)
  • Zoë (Firefly)

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Famous Western Male Names

happy corgi outdoors
Image Credit: lucioliu, Pixabay

We obviously can’t list the famous Western female names without creating a list for the men. Let’s check ‘em out.

  • Al (Deadwood)
  • Anton (No Country for Old Men)
  • Augustus (Lonesome Dove)
  • Barbarosa (Barbarosa)
  • Big Nose George (cattle rustler and highwayman)
  • Big Zewy (Lonesome Dove)
  • Billy the Kid (American outlaw and gunfighter)
  • Blue (Lonesome Dove)
  • Buffalo Bill (American soldier, bison hunter, and showman)
  • Butch (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)
  • Clint Eastwood (American actor with success in Western TV and movies)
  • Cy (Deadwood)
  • Doc Holiday (American dentist, gambler, and gunfighter)
  • Don Braulio (Barbarosa)
  • Ed Tom (No Country for Old Men)
  • Ennis (Brokeback Mountain)
  • Festus (Gunsmoke)
  • Francis (Deadwood)
  • Galen (Gunsmoke)
  • Hoban/Wash (Firefly)
  • Hoss (Bonanza)
  • Jesse James (American outlaw, leader of James-Younger gang)
  • John Wayne (American actor with success in Western and war movies)
  • Josey (The Outlaw Josey Wales)
  • Joshua (Lonesome Dove)
  • Kayce (Yellowstone)
  • Kid (Cat Ballou)
  • Little Joe (Bonanza)
  • Llewelyn (No Country for Old Men)
  • Malcolm (Firefly)
  • Mr. Wu (Deadwood)
  • Newt (Lonesome Dove)
  • Pecos Bill (Melody Time)
  • Quint (Gunsmoke)
  • Rip (Yellowstone)
  • Sam Bass (American outlaw and gang leader)
  • Seth (Deadwood)
  • Shepherd (Firefly)
  • Silas (Deadwood)
  • Simon (Firefly)
  • Sundance (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)
  • Tom Mix (The Cowboy Millionaire)
  • Woodrow (Lonesome Dove)
  • Wyatt Earp (American lawman)

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Western Cartoon Characters

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Image Credit: Ian McGlasham, Shutterstock

What’s a Western-inspired list of names without a few childhood favorites? From Toy Story to Looney Tunes, many of these cartoon characters have names with some Western flair.

  • Alameda Slim (Home on the Range)
  • Desperate Dan (comic series)
  • Jessie (Toy Story)
  • Lucky Luke (comic series)
  • Marshall BraveStarr (BraveStarr)
  • Pecos Bill (Melody Time)
  • Quick Draw McGraw (The Quick Draw McGraw Show)
  • Sheriff Sam Brown (Home on the Range)
  • The Lone Ranger (animated TV series)
  • Woody (Toy Story)
  • Yosemite Sam (Looney Tunes)

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Cowboy/Cowgirl Names for Dogs

close up of a beautiful dog
Image Credit: Chiemsee2024, Pixabay

We certainly can’t write an article about Western dog names without including a few influences from cowboys/cowgirls. After all, that’s probably one of the first images that come to mind for most people when talking about anything related to the West.

  • Addie
  • Alonzo
  • Annie
  • Archie
  • Austin
  • Bandit
  • Barrett
  • Bart
  • Becky
  • Belle
  • Betty
  • Blaze
  • Bo
  • Bonnie
  • Bronco
  • Buck
  • Buster
  • Butch
  • Callie
  • Carolina
  • Carter
  • Casey
  • Cassidy
  • Chet
  • Cheyenne
  • Clementine
  • Clyde
  • Colton
  • Cooper
  • Daisy Mae
  • Dakota
  • Dale
  • Dallas
  • Dallas
  • Delilah
  • Deuce
  • Diablo
  • Dillon
  • Dirk
  • Dolly
  • Duke
  • Effie
  • Elijah
  • Ella
  • Evie
  • Fae
  • Fanny
  • Flint
  • Frankie
  • Gertie
  • Gertrude
  • Grace
  • Gracie
  • Gretchen
  • Gus
  • Hadley
  • Halston
  • Harry
  • Hattie
  • Hattie Mae
  • Holt
  • Hoss
  • Huck
  • Jack
  • Jane
  • Jax
  • Jeb
  • Jed
  • Jericho
  • Jessie
  • Jewel
  • Jimmy
  • Jo
  • Jo Beth
  • Josephine
  • Lane
  • Levi
  • Loretta
  • Luke
  • Maddie
  • Mae
  • Mamie
  • Marshall
  • Maverick
  • Maybelle
  • Mille
  • Molly
  • Montana
  • Nathaniel
  • Nevada
  • Oakley
  • Patsy
  • Pearl
  • Ranger
  • Rhett
  • Rover
  • Roy
  • Ruth
  • Sadie
  • Sam
  • Sawyer
  • Scout
  • Shania
  • Shenandoah
  • Slim
  • Sonny
  • Stevie
  • Susannah
  • Tess
  • Tex
  • Trigger
  • Virgil
  • Walker
  • Walt
  • Wayne
  • Wesley
  • Wynette
  • Wynonna

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Famous Western and Country Singers

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Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay

Still haven’t found a name you love? Don’t fret! These famous names from Western and country music could be the bullseye you were aiming for.

  • Alan Jackson
  • Alison Krauss
  • Anne Murray
  • Ashley McBryde
  • Barbara Mandrell
  • Blake Shelton
  • Bobbie Gentry
  • Buck Owens
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Chet Atkins
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Conway Twitty
  • Crystal Gayle
  • David Allen Coe
  • Dolly Parton
  • Dottie West
  • Dwight Yoakam
  • Eddie Rabbit
  • Emmylou Harris
  • Eric Church
  • Faith Hill
  • Garth Brooks
  • Gene Autry
  • George Jones
  • George Strait
  • Hank Williams
  • Jennifer Nettles
  • Jimmie Rodgers
  • Johnny Cash
  • June Carter Cash
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Keith Urban
  • Kelly Clarkson
  • Kenny Chesney
  • Kenny Rogers
  • Kitty Wells
  • Lainey Wilson
  • LeAnn Rimes
  • Lee Ann Womack
  • Linda Ronstadt
  • Loretta Lynn
  • Luke Bryan
  • Luke Combs
  • Martina McBride
  • Merle Haggard
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Morgan Wallen
  • Patsy Cline
  • Randy Travis
  • Reba McEntire
  • Roy Rogers
  • Steve Earle
  • Tammy Wynette
  • Tanya Tucker
  • Taylor Swift
  • Trace Adkins
  • Trisha Yearwood
  • Waylon Jennings
  • Willie Nelson
  • Wynonna Judd

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Western Names Inspired by Literature

german shepherd sitting on grass
Image Credit: vlaaitje, Pixabay

We surely can’t list some of the most famous Western names from movies and television without mentioning some from literature as well. These authors know how to make the frontier come to life, and they might even provide you with your pup’s new name.

  • Arnold Spirit (The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian)
  • Bendigo (Bendigo Shafter)
  • Bern (Riders of the Purple Sage)
  • Buck (Lone Star Ranger)
  • Cady (The Longmire Mystery series)
  • Calamity Jane (The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary)
  • Chick (A Job for a Ranger)
  • Cogewea (Cogewea)
  • Fey (The Rainbow Trail)
  • Genevieve (Wynema: A Child of the Forest)
  • Henry Standing Bear (The Longmire Mystery series)
  • Hopalong (Long Ride Home)
  • Indigo (Gardens in the Dunes)
  • Isobel (Silver on the Road)
  • Jessilyn (Whiskey When We’re Dry)
  • Kipling (Dead Man’s Trail)
  • Lassiter (The Rainbow Trail)
  • Longmire (The Longmire Mystery series)
  • Nesselrode (The Cactus Kid Pays a Debt)
  • Rawhide Kid (Marvel Comics series)
  • Silva (Yellow Woman)
  • Ten Sleep Mooney (Down Sonora Way)
  • Vic (The Longmire Mystery series)
  • Walt (The Longmire Mystery series)
  • Wynema (Wynema: A Child of the Forest)
  • Zorro (The Curse of Capistrano)

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Conclusion

There’s a good reason why so many people love anything Western. Some truly live a country lifestyle, while others have been fascinated by the West from movies and television. Regardless of your reasons, you know you want a Western-inspired name for your new best friend, and we hope this list has given you a few candidates that fit the bill.


Featured Image Credit: BAUER Alexandre, Shutterstock

The post 275+ Western Dog Names for Your Cowboy Canine appeared first on PangoVet.