Is it better to pick up dog poop or leave it
Do You Have to Pick Up Dog Poop? 10 Rules of Dog Poop Etiquette (Vet Approved)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreThere are many joys that come with living with a dog, but not all responsibilities are pleasant. Picking up after your dog is a task that literally stinks, but we all have to do it. Dog poop smells bad, it can kill grass and other plants, pollute waterways and even spread diseases.
Keeping your neighborhood free of dog poop doesnt just clean up areas. It also helps maintain a positive attitude toward dogs. So, its important to practice good etiquette when youre walking your dog. Here are some common rules of dog poop etiquette thatll help you be a good neighbor.
The 10 Rules of Dog Poop Etiquette
1. Bring a Poop Bag Before You Leave
Always check to make sure you have a poop bag before you leave for your walk. Build a habit that ensures youll always have a poop bag with you. If you use poop bag rolls, check your dispenser regularly to ensure you have bags left inside it. You can also tie a bag to your leash after you return from a walk so that its very visible that you have a poop bag.
Its often helpful to have a bag or pouch that you use specifically for dog walking. Not only can you fill this bag with extra doggy bag rolls, but you can also include treats and other dog-walking essentials.
2. Stick to the Curb Strip or Sidewalk
When walking your dog, avoid letting your dog walk onto peoples lawns. People treat their own lawns with extra care and wont appreciate having a dog urinating and pooping on something that theyve invested so much time, money, and energy in.
Your dog will be perfectly content with exploring the curb strip or sidewalk. If they happen to try to cross over to someones lawn, gently guide them back to the curb strip. Investing time into training your dog to walk politely on a leash can make walks much more pleasant and ensures your dog doesnt pull you off course, onto your neighbors prized lawn.
3. Avoid Flowers and Shrubs
People often plant flowers or small shrubs on their curb strips or along the edges of their yards. Its common courtesy to prevent your dog from pooping or urinating near those areas. Dog waste can ruin flowers and plants. It can also attract other dogs to pee or poop in the same area, which can end up killing plants or ruining a pleasant-looking area with an unpleasant odor.
4. Respect Lawn Signs
Since many people work really hard on their lawns, make sure to respect any lawn signs that they post on them. Most lawn signs will request owners to pick up after their dogs waste, while others prohibit urinating in certain areas. Most signs that request no urination are placed to protect plants and shrubs that are special to the homeowner.
Its also usually in your best interest to respect lawn signs. Some lawns are treated with chemicals to kill weeds or insects, and they can cause skin irritation if your dogs walk on them.
5. Return to Pick Up Poop
Even the best dog owners will run out of poop bags every once in a while. If your dog poops and you dont have any bags, do your best to ask any people near you if they have any bags. If you arent able to secure a bag on the spot, make sure to go home, get a poop bag, and return to scoop the poop.
Keep in mind that many states and cities have Pooper Scooper Laws that protect both private and public property from dog waste. You can be legally fined if youre caught not picking up after your dog.
6. Keep an Eye on Your Dog at Dog Parks
Always supervise your dog when youre at the dog park, and refrain from scrolling through your phone while your dog is playing. Dogs often poop when theyre at the dog park, even if theyve already relieved themselves.
Its important to pick up after your dog as quickly as possible. Other dogs will be curious to smell poop and can accidentally step on it. Some dogs also have a habit of rolling or even eating other dogs poop, so collecting and disposing of it promptly is a good idea.
7. Offer Poop Bags to Other Dog Walkers
Keeping the neighborhood clean is a group effort. So, if you notice that another dog walker has run out of poop bags, dont hesitate to offer them one of yours. Most dog walkers will appreciate the offer and wont refuse.
Making an effort to keep the neighborhood clean often leads to people having a positive attitude toward dog owners. It helps keep the peace and ensures your neighborhood looks and smells clean.
8. Carry Cat Litter for Runny Poops
Diarrhea can be unpredictable. However, if you know that your dog has been having runny poops, its helpful to bring something that will make picking up after your dog easier. Sprinkling clumping cat litter on runny poops can help the poop hold its form while you pick it up. Sawdust and sand are other alternatives you can try.
Make sure to also bring disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, and some wet wipes on your walk. This will make cleanup much easier, and youll be able to sanitize your hands afterward.
9. Toss Trash in Your Own Trash Bin or Public Bins
It can seem convenient to toss poop bags into other peoples trash bins when theyre out on the curb during trash collection days. Even though trash is trash, its still respectful to refrain from tossing poop bags into someone elses trash bin. Dog poop has a distinctly unpleasant smell, and you never know if someone has just spent time and money on deodorizing their trash bin.
Most dog poop bags are also made with thinner material. Theyll break more easily than standard trash bags and can end up leaving a stain and smell deep inside a trash bin.
10. Use Eco-Friendly Bags When You Can
One of the best ways for dog owners to reduce plastic waste is to use eco-friendly doggy bags. You can find all kinds of eco-friendly doggy bags that are made with recycled or biodegradable materials. Many of these bags are just as durable as traditional plastic bags. Recent research suggests that those made of recycled plastic are more environmentally friendly than those touted as biodegradable.
Even though eco-friendly, recycled plastic doggy bags are usually more expensive, its worth investing in them. Doggy bags are used daily, and you can end up reducing a significant amount of plastic waste if you use eco-friendly doggy bags throughout your dogs lifetime.
Conclusion
Following the rules of dog poop etiquette will help your neighborhood stay clean and keep the peace between community members. So, make sure to establish the habit of carrying extra doggy bags with you and keep a close eye on your dog whenever youre outside together. Picking up after your dog is the neighborly thing to do and is a simple yet effective way to care for your community.
Featured Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock
Why Picking Up Dog Poop Is Important: 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreOwning a dog sometimes stinksliterally. Part of being a dog owner is picking up poop daily, whether in the yard, at the dog park, or during your walks.
Unfortunately, too many dog owners neglect to pick up after their dogs. They may have forgotten to bring a poop bag or are in a hurry. Some dont see the big deal about not picking up poop. The rain will just wash it away, or it will quickly break down. Right?
Wrong. Leaving dog poop on the ground isnt just wildly irresponsible. Its also harmful to other pets, people, and the environment.
The 7 Reasons Why You Should Pick Up After Your Dog
1. Dog Poop Can Spread Diseases and Bacteria
Dog poop can contain several types of parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can make humans and other animals sick. Serious illnesses like salmonella, giardia, E. Coli, and parvovirus can be spread through fecal matter. Tapeworms and ringworms can also be spread through dog poop.
These pathogens can linger in the ground for months or even years. That means that dog poop you left on the ground today can end up endangering other dogs and people for a long time after.
2. Fecal Matter Contaminates the Environment
If you think its okay to let the rain wash away your dogs poop, youre mistaken. Sure, rainwater will take the waste away, but it will also bring along the harmful bacteria and chemicals contained in dog waste.
All of that bad stuff, including the poop itself, can ultimately end up contaminating watersheds, rivers, streams, and other sources of water. Some of those will also get absorbed into the soil, polluting the land around it.
In other words, youre creating unsanitary conditions not only for the environment but for you, your dog, and everyone around you.
3. Dog Poop Can Kill Plants and Lawns
Some pet owners defend not picking up after their dogespecially in grassy areasbecause it can be used as fertilizer. This is a myth and a dangerous one.
Sure, the feces of some animals, like cows, can be used as fertilizer for fields and gardens. The difference is that these animals eat plant matter, not the high-protein diet of most canines.
Because of that diet, dog waste has high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. Instead of nourishing plants and grass, these can burn lawns and kill greenery. The pathogens in dog poop can also contaminate vegetables and fruits in the surrounding area.
4. Dog Waste Takes a Long Time to Decompose
Dog poop decays slowly. It can take as long as a year or more for dog feces to completely decompose. Thats a long time for bacteria, parasites, and other harmful stuff to linger in the environment.
5. Its Gross and Unsanitary
Not picking up your dogs poop is the height of disrespect to those around you. It smells terrible and looks gross. Its also a surefire way to ruin someones day when they step on it, or their dog tries to eat it.
6. It Ruins Things for Other Dog Owners
The fastest way to get dogs banned in pet-friendly places is to not pick up after them. It only takes one complaint for an establishment to become off-limits to all dog owners. It also gives pet parents a bad reputation, including those who do clean up after their dogs.
7. Its Required by Law
Many countries, states, and localities have laws in place that require pet owners to pick up after their dogs. In some places, the offense can come with hefty fines and may even be considered a misdemeanor.
Tips for Picking Up After Your Dog
All dog owners should pick up after their dogsthats clear. But were also human, and there are times when its hard to remember or can be difficult to do. To minimize those instances and make it easier for you, here are some tips:
- Always carry poop bags with you when walking your dog. So, dont forget to put some bags in your pocket.
- Feel icky about picking up poop? Get a pooper scooper, so you dont have to handle it with your hands or get too close.
- Dont throw the potty bag in other peoples trash bins. Keep it with you until you get home. Not everyone is okay with you leaving your dogs waste in their trash.
- Never let your dog go potty in other peoples yards. Instead, stick to designated areas or the sidewalk.
- Try training your dog to go potty before your walk, so you dont have to worry about it during your stroll.
Conclusion
The joys of being a dog owner come with a certain amount of responsibility, and picking up poop is one of them. Cleaning up after your pet will help keep everyone in the area safe and happyespecially your pup.
Featured Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock
