Why do you scoop dog poop? Here’s What to Expect

Another concern about feces in the yard is parvovirus, which is a highly contagious virus that infects dogs, especially puppies and dogs that have not been fully vaccinated. Dogs may shed the virus for weeks in their stool, even after they’ve apparently fully recovered from an infection, so help protect the next dog that comes along and pick up your dog’s poop. Even though canine parvovirus isn’t contagious to humans, it’s a horrible, nasty, rotten, no good, very bad and possibly deadly dog disease.

Pet waste is smelly, unsightly, messy and attracts bugs and rodents. It is also a health risk to both people and other pets, and it adversely affects water quality. In many locales, it is required by law to pick up your pet’s poop and dispose of it properly.Â

For dogs, cats, and other pets that are meat eaters, it’s important to dispose of the waste in the garbage. Wastes from meat eaters should not be placed in a compost pile because the parasites, bacteria and viruses are not readily destroyed during the composting process and can be passed on to humans. While it’s common courtesy to pick up after your dog when you go on walks, it’s also a good idea to pick up after him at home. Some diseases can be transmitted from pet waste to humans through contact with the soil. Children playing outside and adults who garden are most at risk.

Correct disposal of cat waste is also important. Dangers may lurk inside your cats litter box, making proper disposal a must for good health. Some cat feces may contain the bacteria toxoplasma gondii, which has been linked to many health problems and is especially dangerous for pregnant women. Take the necessary steps to properly handle cat litter.

Water is a precious resource, and water quality is of the utmost concern for all of us, especially in light of the recent drought conditions. Pet waste left in the yard or by the curb gets washed down storm drains. It usually does not go through a sanitation or sewer treatment plant but is instead directly discharged into area waterways, such as local streams, rivers, lakes or the ocean (if you live near the coast). As the fecal material decays, it uses up the oxygen in the water and may release ammonia. When this chemical process takes place in high quantities (i.e., when many people from a town do not properly dispose of their pets’ fecal matter), the resulting decrease in oxygen levels and the increase in ammonia, especially during warmer times of the year, can lead to algae blooms and fish die-off. The bacteria released during the decay of the stool may also make the water unsafe for swimmers, divers, fishermen and boaters. Let’s keep our water safe for everyone by properly disposing of pet poop.

Dog waste is an environmental pollutant. According to estimates by the Environmental Protection Agency, two or three days worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and all watershed areas within 20 miles to swimming and shell fishing.

Children are at risk.Children at play don’t often wash their hands and most do not realize the potential hazards of coming into contact with waste that has been left on the ground. The bacteria and parasites found in dog droppings are most commonly passed to humans by touch.

Pet byproducts can harm your health. Many don’t realize it, but dog waste often carries parasites and bacteria that can be transmitted directly to humans and make them sick.

Contaminated waste can make dogs sick, too. When pets become sick, contagions are typically passed through their deposits and into the yard. The longer infected dog waste stays on the ground, the greater a contamination becomes. When this waste is not picked up, pets have a high risk of catching infections over and over again.

It doesn’t just disappear. Bacteria, worms and other parasites thrive in unattended waste, eventually breaking down into the soil and washing into the water supply. Roundworm, for example, is one of the most common parasites found in dog doo and it can remain infectious in contaminated soil and water for years.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, animal waste is one of the many seemingly small sources of pollution that can add up to big problems for water quality, and even human health. When dog waste is left behind, not only is it unsightly and leaves an overwhelming smell, but it can also leave excessive amounts of bacteria, parasites and nitrates that disrupt outdoor ecosystems. The best way to make sure that our park habitats and natural wildlife stay healthy is by encouraging all pet owners to pick up after their dogs and properly dispose of the waste, ideally in biodegradable bag, and then in a trash can or at a designated pet waste station. Read on for four reasons why it’s important to pick up your dog waste:

Denver is considered a dog-friendly city. It’s one of the reasons so many of us love living here. From pet-friendly hotels and restaurants to a plethora of dog parks around the city, many people treasure taking their dogs just about anywhere. Along with this doggie roaming freedom comes one of the biggest challenges facing Denver’s public parks and recreation spaces today — getting people to clean up properly after their dogs.

Picking up your dog’s poop may not be your favorite chore, but it’s an important one that helps keep our parks and outdoor spaces, along with our community and pets safe.

Why Scoop Dog Poop – a brief overview

Denver is considered a dog-friendly city. It’s one of the reasons so many of us love living here. From pet-friendly hotels and restaurants to a plethora of dog parks around the city, many people treasure taking their dogs just about anywhere. Along with this doggie roaming freedom comes one of the biggest challenges facing Denver’s public parks and recreation spaces today — getting people to clean up properly after their dogs.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, animal waste is one of the many seemingly small sources of pollution that can add up to big problems for water quality, and even human health. When dog waste is left behind, not only is it unsightly and leaves an overwhelming smell, but it can also leave excessive amounts of bacteria, parasites and nitrates that disrupt outdoor ecosystems. The best way to make sure that our park habitats and natural wildlife stay healthy is by encouraging all pet owners to pick up after their dogs and properly dispose of the waste, ideally in biodegradable bag, and then in a trash can or at a designated pet waste station. Read on for four reasons why it’s important to pick up your dog waste:

Picking up your dog’s poop may not be your favorite chore, but it’s an important one that helps keep our parks and outdoor spaces, along with our community and pets safe.