Flushable cat litter: which kinds you can flush and how to do it safely
Flushable cat litter is litter whose clumps break down in water, so small amounts of urine clumps can go down the toilet instead of the trash. Only plant-based litters such as tofu are designed for it — never flush clay or silica crystal litter.
Updated 2026-10-11
Which litters can be flushed
| Litter type | Flushable? |
|---|---|
| Tofu (soy fiber) | Many are designed for it, in small amounts |
| Other plant-based (corn, wheat, pine) | Some brands say yes — check the bag |
| Clay | No. Clay swells and can block pipes. Fresh Step's clay health monitoring litter, for example, says not to flush. |
| Silica gel crystals | No. They are not designed to break down in water |
How to flush the right way
- Flush urine clumps only, a little at a time. One or two clumps per flush.
- Put cat droppings in the trash. Not the toilet.
- Let the clump soften for a moment in the bowl before flushing if your toilet is weak.
- When in doubt, bin it. The litter works the same either way.
When not to flush
- Septic systems. Don't flush litter into a septic system.
- Older or low-flow plumbing. Narrow or aging pipes are the most likely to clog.
- Water restrictions or a weak flush. Use the trash instead.
- California. California law requires cat litter labels to tell owners to put cat feces in the trash, not the toilet.
Is TellTail flushable?
Yes — TellTail is Flushable\*. Its plant-based clumps break down in water, so urine clumps can be flushed a little at a time, under the conditions above.
Why people choose flushable litter
- No heavy bag of used litter to carry out.
- Less smell in the trash between pickups.
- A plant-based litter that goes in the regular trash just as easily when flushing isn't an option.
Flushable* — TellTail’s plant-based clumps break down in water, so flush the clumps a little at a time. Place cat droppings in the trash, not the toilet. Not recommended for septic systems or older / low-flow plumbing.