Although cleaning up after your dog isn’t the most glamorous chore (see what we did there? ), have you thought about the consequences of failing to do so? Approximately 38% of individuals do not clean up their dog’s feces, according to the LA Times. These arguments ought to persuade you to clean up after your dog if you are currently being careless:
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First Reason: Dog Poop Isn’t the Same as Cow Poop Fertilizer
If applying cow dung to our crops aids in their growth, shouldn’t dog feces do the same for flowers and grass? Sadly, this is a prevalent misperception regarding dog feces, and the cause is in the diets of the animals—dogs generally consume meat, whereas cows mostly eat grass and grain.
Dogs excrete more protein than humans do, and as a result, their feces is more acidic, full of bacteria and diseases, and leaves behind surplus nutrients in our lakes and rivers (Erie.gov).
Additionally, dog poop includes nitrogen, which is why patches of brown or yellow grass may appear on your lawn. Cleaning up after your dog as soon as possible—or at least once a week—is the greatest method to maintain a green grass.
Second Reason: Dog Waste May Affect Our Water
Dog poop is only one type of animal waste that contaminates our water. But we have the ability to mitigate its effects if we are diligent and observant!
Think about the following domino effect: first, we fail to remove dog waste off sidewalks and grass. The garbage is then washed down storm drains when it rains and the snow melts. I mean, out of sight, out of mind. Not exactly. Feces may then find their way into nearby ponds, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water.
Poop breaks down and releases nutrients when this occurs, which leads to an overabundance of weeds and algae growing. As a result, the water becomes stinky, green, and murky. According to the University of Rhode Island, the weeds and algae can even become so dense that the water becomes unfit for our favorite pastimes, including fishing, boating, and swimming.
Dog excrement includes pathogens, or microorganisms that cause sickness, such as salmonella and E. coli, in addition to nutrients. Everyone is impacted, including people, pets, and animals, if they wind up in the water we use for drinking, swimming, and fishing.
Reason #3: It’s the law to clean up dog poop
Cleaning up after your dog is required by law and is just part of being a decent neighbor! The “pooper scooper law,” which is applied in several localities, fines dog owners for failing to sweep up after their pets in public areas. The Washington Post claims that one park in Madrid will even package up your dog’s waste and ship it back to you! While not all places have gone to that far, in many cities you may be fined thousands of dollars.
Reason #4: In the long run, cleaning up poop makes life easier!
Picking up excrement might be a hassle, but avoiding it can cause much more issues due to its negative effects on the environment and high fines. It’s simpler for everyone—your dog, your neighbors, and yourself—if you clean up after your dog right away! You reduce the likelihood of bringing unwelcome messes into your house and onto your carpet by keeping your yard tidy. Not to add, your house will continue to smell clean!
Cleaning up after our animal friends makes a variety of activities simpler and less dirty, such having picnics outside, strolling along the sidewalk, having barbecues in the backyard, and playing barefoot in the park.
How to Clean Up Dog Waste
Now that you understand the significance of cleaning up dog poop, here are some brief suggestions for reducing the possible long-term impacts of waste on the environment and human health.
First tip: When taking your dog on a walk, always carry a dog waste bag.
By carrying dog waste bags, you can make sure that you are always prepared to collect your pet’s waste and that there are no unexpected spills that you are unable to clean up. When you’re down there already, don’t hesitate to pick up another dog’s waste as well.
Tip #2: Eliminate Trash Whenever You Can
The human waste and pet waste are treated in the same wastewater treatment facility when you flush your pet’s waste down the toilet. Since the treatment facilities are already equipped to handle it, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that this be the best method for disposing of your pet’s waste whenever it is feasible. It can lead to plumbing problems, so if you have a cat, make careful not to flush any waste down the toilet with cat litter detritus.
Using a Pooper Scooper is Tip #3.
Not only is using a pooper scooper practical, but it also helps lessen the negative environmental impacts of animal feces. An full range of user-friendly pooper scoopers from TC dog waste make cleaning up after your dog quick and easy—without kneeling or stooping!
Fourth tip: Keep your dog’s waste away from water
Make sure your dog relieves themselves at least 200 feet away from any bodies of water when you are out with them, especially if you have forgotten your cleaning bag. This near to a body of water increases the likelihood that your dog’s feces may reach the water supply and harm our ecology. Additionally, never put trash down storm drains.
Tip #5: Select Dog Food of Higher Quality
Your dog will defecate less if you choose higher-quality food that is free of fillers and by-products, claims the Chicago Tribune. This is a result of the food’s increased nutritional content, which makes people eat less and feel satisfied for longer. In the end, you’ll have less excrement to tidy up!
Even though it’s not our favorite task, picking up feces is beneficial for the environment, our dogs, and ourselves. Not to mention that it’s just polite!