Why Picking Up Dog Poop Protects Your Family (and Your Local Waterways)

Picking up after your dog is about more than being a good neighbor. Pet waste can carry parasites and bacteria that affect people, especially children who play on grass and in sand.

The health risks

Veterinarians writing for PetMD highlight two common parasites:

• Roundworms (Toxocara): puppies often pick them up from their mother and can shed large numbers of eggs. People can become infected by accidentally swallowing eggs from contaminated soil or surfaces. In rare cases this can affect the eyes or organs.
• Hookworms: eggs hatch into larvae in soil or sand. People are usually infected through bare skin, for example walking barefoot, which can cause an itchy, red, track-like rash.

The environmental cost

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rain washes pet waste into storm drains, which often flow straight into streams and lakes without treatment. In one U.S. Geological Survey study cited by the EPA, pet-related bacteria made up about one-quarter of the bacteria found in local stream samples. Waste also adds nutrients that fuel algae and can harm fish.

How to do it right

1. Scoop immediately in public places and daily in your own yard (PetMD).
2. Carry bags on every walk, tie them securely and put them in the trash.
3. Remember pet waste is not fertilizer. Keep it out of vegetable gardens and storm drains (EPA).
4. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward, as the CDC recommends.
5. Follow your vet's advice on regular fecal checks and deworming.

Bring the clean habits indoors

After a walk, a quick once-over with a grooming glove by the door collects loose fur, dust and debris before your dog jumps on the sofa. Wipe paws too, especially after parks and beaches.

Sources

• PetMD: Can dog poop spread disease?
• U.S. EPA: Pet waste and water quality
• CDC: Hygiene Practices Around Animals

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or veterinarian.