Dog poop is part and parcel of every dog owner’s life. There are an estimated 80 million dogs in the US and most of them poop outdoors, generating more than 10 million tons of waste yearly. Most Americans live in the suburbs, and the average dog is estimated to excrete around 274 pounds of poop every year, all of which are accumulated in a small yard averaging 11,000 square feet. That is a problem, as improperly handled dog poop poses hazardous risks to animals, humans, and the environment. It’s time to bust some common myths.
Leaving Dog Poop in The Yard Is Fine
Nature will deal with it, but the process can be lengthy, taking a year or more depending on the size of the pile. As the droppings decompose, they are contaminating the ground and other surfaces with hazardous elements. Dog poop carries parasites such as roundworm and tapeworm, and bacteria like E. coli, and salmonella. Those pathogens have the ability to spread diseases and make humans and animals sick. Furthermore, they can survive in the earth for years to come. The problem is further exacerbated by rain or irrigation that washes the waste contaminants into water resources and aquatic bodies via stormwater drainage systems.
Dog poop is bad for your grass, period. The diets of dogs are protein-heavy, which means their poop is loaded with phosphorus and nitrogen, which can create brown, dead, or burnt spots in your yard. If you also apply commercial fertilizer to your yard, you could be killing the grass by overloading it with high concentrations of nitrogen. Dog poop does not make for good fertilizer, unlike cow, sheep, or horse manure, which are derived from herbivorous cattle and are free from harmful chemicals.
You can indeed compost dog poop, but you have to be very careful about it. When you put dog manure or other organic waste in a compost pile, it will heat up as it decomposes. As advised by the USDA, the internal temperature of the pile must reach 160 degrees before it begins to drop in order for any parasites and plant-destroying bacteria to be killed.
Dog Poop Can Be Trashed Directly
You can throw dog poop in the trash as long as it is in a proper container or ideally a biodegradable pet waste bag. It can also be flushed down the toilet, as long as you check whether your septic system can handle it. Make sure it has been rid of any debris or gravel that may pose problems to your plumbing.
Deal With Dog Poop Diligently and Efficiently with PawPail
Here at PawPail, we have the perfect pet waste management solution for all dog owners! Our PawPail pet waste station is a convenient, environmentally friendly and odor-controlling device that minimizes exposure for you and your family and makes pet waste cleanup so much easier. Feel free to look through our product range or contact us to find out more.
