Join the Cleanup Brigade: Celebrating National Scoop the Poop Week 2024!

Every year, Americans observe National Scoop the Poop Week throughout the last week in April, immediately following Earth Day. The holiday was created by the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists as a reminder that, as pet parents, we have a duty to ensure that we clean up our pets’ messes. It is also a week to raise awareness about the impact that animal waste has on the environment and why we must dispose of pet waste properly.

We offer a wide range of professional pet services at Space Coast Pet Services, including dog walking, so we know a thing or two about scooping poop. So, in honor of National Scoop the Poop Week, here are six facts you probably didn’t know (but should) about your pet’s poop:

Fact #1: Dog poop is NOT fertilizer.

Many people mistakenly assume that because cow manure makes an excellent fertilizer, dog poop does too. Not only is this patently false, but making this assumption could ruin your lawn and harm the environment. Pet waste is high in nitrogen, which means it actually kills grass.

Dogs require high-protein diets, and as their bodies break down that protein, they create nitrogen, which is expelled through their urine and feces. Although lawns and gardens need a certain amount of nitrogen to remain healthy, pet waste contains concentrated amounts of nitrogen that will overwhelm the soil.

Fact #2: Pet waste is one of the largest sources of water pollution.

No one, not even pet owners, wants dog poop to end up in our rivers, lakes, or drinking water supply. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that’s exactly where your dog’s poop will end up when you fail to scoop it up.

Dog poop can take up to a full year to completely break down. As it sits on the ground, rainwater washes tiny bits of your pet’s waste down our storm drains, and from there, it makes its way to our water bodies. That’s terrible news for all of us because dog poop is a major carrier of bacteria, parasites, and diseases, which leads us to our next important fact about dog poop.

Fact #3: Dog poop contains bacteria and parasites.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that dogs transmit these parasites and diseases through their waste:

  • Salmonella
  • Roundworm
  • Hookworm
  • Giardia
  • Echinococcosis
  • Tapeworm
  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Campylobacteriosis

Most of these diseases will spread to humans who ingest infected dog poop. While ingesting dog poop may seem far-fetched, think about those tiny particles of waste making it into the water supply. We went in-depth on our previous article, which you can find here.

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Fact #4: Dog poop must be disposed of properly.

Even if you use biodegradable poop bags to clean up after your pet, they should never be disposed of in nature for the many reasons listed above. Instead, always dispose of your pet’s waste in a proper trash receptacle.

Fact #5: An average dog produces three-quarters of a pound of poop daily.

While three-quarters of a pound may not seem like a lot, that averages out to about 274 pounds of pet waste annually. With roughly 79 million dogs living in the US and knowing that not every pet parent cleans up after their dog, that’s a lot of poop entering our ecosystem.

Fact #6: Dog poop is compostable but not in your standard composting bin.

For the adventurous, eco-friendly pet parent, your dog’s waste can be composted. Composting pet waste will neutralize enzymes and create a byproduct that may be used for mulch or manure on non-edible plants.

However, dog poop must not be mixed with your existing compost materials. A separate receptacle is required. There are plenty of DIY composting solutions for pet waste available online.

The Final Scoop on Cleaning Up Your Dog’s Poop

Whether it’s National Scoop the Poop Week or not, you should always pick up after your pup.

Pet owners, pet sitters, and dog walkers are all responsible for cleaning up after the pets in their care, especially when they are out and about. Of course, having pet waste bags on hand whenever you leave home with your pet is always a good idea. Still, most environmental advocates suggest finding the most convenient, eco-friendly options, like biodegradable poop bags that can be flushed down the toilet because, experts agree, flushing pet waste is the best way to dispose of it.

We recommend PetBro Flush ‘n Gone Poop Bags as an ideal solution.

Here’s wishing you and your pet a Happy National Scoop the Poop Week!

 

Melanie Haynes

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