Why pick up after your dog

Previous post Happy Thankgiving from All of Next post Happy Easter Cleaning up after your dogs shows respect for our neighbors and our community.

Give your dog a hand in preventing stormwater pollution by following these easy to remember steps when walking your dog:. Your actions set an example for others. When you pick up after your dog, you are helping the environment. Pet Etiquette or " Why do I need to pick up after my dog? In fact, dog waste can take as long as a year to naturally break down.

Especially since we live in a climate with a colder winter season. The other down side here is that, as previously mentioned, the bacteria still lingers in the soil. So even if you leave the poop on the ground and it does eventually break down, all of those bacteria and parasites will be left to linger there for several more years.

Please be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your dog. Posted on February 9, Categories: News Comments are off for this post. Even if your dog doesn't show any symptoms of illness, their waste could still carry bacteria and parasites that are harmful to other pets and humans. And you don't need to come into direct contact with dog poop in order to contract an illness from it — diseases in poop can be transmitted by flies or other pets that come into contact with it, said iHeartDogs.

Here, according to PetHelpful, are some of the illnesses and infectious organisms carried in dog poo:. While you may think your own dog's poop can't do that much harm, keep in mind that your dog is likely one of hundreds in your area. By picking up after your dog, you'll help protect the ecosystem. Dog feces left lying in parks, on public walkways and even on neighborhood lawns can quickly pile up to a point that the smell becomes overwhelming.

Even if you live in a rural area with no close neighbors, you no doubt know that a relaxing afternoon in the hammock can be ruined by the smell of too many dog deposits in the yard. If you've ever had to clean dog poop from the bottom of your shoe, you don't need to be told stepping in the stuff can ruin an unsuspecting person's day.

Add to that the impact dog waste can have on the environment and public health, and it's not hard to see that picking up after your dog not only makes you a responsible dog owner, but also a considerate neighbor. It's simply the right thing to do. Cleaning up after your pooch can be as simple as using a disposable baggie to pick up deposits and then dropping the whole bag in the trash.

While this can be a great way to re-use plastic grocery bags, a more environmentally-friendly option is biodegradable baggies made specifically for this purpose, which you can find at most pet supply stores. It's also OK to use toilet paper to pick it up and flush the poo down the toilet.

Although it might be too unwieldy to use on walks, for closer to home you could use a reusable rake with a scooping pan, which will prevent you from having to bend over. For messier deposits, such as loose stool or dog diarrhea , Family Handyman suggested using compressed air to freeze the stool before picking it up. You could also sprinkle a small amount of clumping cat litter on top of the poop, which will make it easier to get it all.

Cuteness recommended following up by spraying the spot with a commercial disinfectant to kill any bacteria or viruses that might get left behind — make sure to use one that is not harmful to your dog or keep them away from the area while it does its job. And be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if there's any chance you've come into direct contact with animal feces. If you don't want to deal with it yourself, in many cities you can hire a service to come and clean up your dog's mess and disinfect your lawn.

The bottom line is, as unpleasant and annoying as dog cleanup might be, it's a minor inconvenience compared to the cost of neglecting this responsibility. By taking the extra minute or so to pick up after your pup, you're not only being a good citizen and responsible pet parent — you're actually helping to save the world, one piece of poop at a time.