There are far too many people who think it’s not their responsibility to clean up after their pets when they take them out walking in parks or even in their neighborhood. To them, it’s the job of the street sweepers to pick up their dog’s feces, or that it’s better that the poop stays in the ground because “it’s a good fertilizer.” Sorry to break it to you, folks, but dog poop is not a good fertilizer and can in fact be dangerous.
While we love our pet dogs and appreciate their cuteness and unconditional love for us, their feces are actually toxic and harmful to our health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s a pollutant that is as harmful as herbicides, insecticides, and other toxic chemicals. It’s even as high up as the third top contributor to contaminated water that can lead to diarrhea, intestinal problems, and kidney disorders.
Not a Fertilizer
Not all feces are equal. You may think that just because it’s animal feces, dog poop is as good as any other feces for use as fertilizer. However, it’s toxic and will only poison your plants. If you have a garden where you grow your own fruits and vegetables, make sure to properly dispose of your dog’s poop so that it doesn’t contaminate your produce.
Dog Feces Health Risks
Dog poop may contain tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, Coronavirus, giardiasis, salmonella, cryptosporidiosis, and coccidia. These diseases and parasites can be acquired by you, your family, and your pets if you don’t dispose of your dog’s feces properly and quickly. Your dog could eat its own feces and “kisses” from them might transfer the parasites to you or anyone in the family.
Why You Should Always Pick Up After Your Dog
If you don’t clean up after your dog takes a poop in public and it stays in the ground for a long time, there are many possibilities that can lead the feces to local water sources like the ocean, ponds, rivers, and even drinking water. For example, the rain can wash over it and break down the feces, leading the bacteria to the nearby pond, contaminating it and spreading diseases in local waterways.
How to Properly Dispose of Dog Poop
Here are a few ways to dispose of dog poop properly and without the risk of contaminating the environment:
- Flush down your dog’s poop down the toilet just like you do your own waste. Do it without the use of a bag or any container. This is considered the best disposal method for dog feces.
- If you don’t want to have to flush your dog’s feces down your toilet, then put it in a biodegradable bag before throwing it in the garbage. Do not flush it down the toilet with the bag, as it can clog your sewers.
- Contact your local pet waste removal services if you don’t want to do it yourself, or if you want to get rid of an accumulating dog waste problem in your neighborhood.
