What's the Best Way to Clean Up Dog Poop in the Yard?
If your backyard serves as your dog’s potty spot, it is essential to keep it clean. Allowing waste to accumulate can turn a beautiful lawn into an ugly mess, and it can even lead to health concerns for your furry friend. Discover the best dog poop cleanup methods to help keep your pup and yard in great shape!
Why Does Cleaning Up Dog Poop Matter?
Dog waste contains harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Yersinia, according to the National Library of Medicine. With that in mind, think about this chain of events: you let your dog outside, they step in fecal matter when they walk through the yard, and they lick their paws later. Your pup is likely to ingest some of that icky material, which can hurt their overall wellbeing. Not to mention, a yard full of waste can provide a food source for unwanted wild animals and therefore make the space unsafe for your pooch.
Leaving poop in the yard can also hurt the planet. Even though manure from animals like cows and horses can positively impact nature, dog feces is much more acidic and causes grass to turn brown or yellow. Even worse, it can contaminate waterways and harm the environment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RELATED: 4 Reasons Why Dog Poop Cleanup Is Important
Tip #1: Establish a Cleanup Schedule
The best way to make sure your yard stays clean and safe for your furry friend is to establish a dog poop cleanup schedule. Picking up after your dog every time they go to their potty spot is an ideal plan but one that many pet parents have a hard time maintaining.
If you can manage this task, you deserve an award! But if you can’t, a more realistic goal might be to check your yard for poop daily. Even tackling this important chore every other day is better than putting it off.
If you can’t get to the task this frequently, though, treat cleanup time like a search-and-find game. Begin in one corner of your yard and work in sections until you have covered all the space. If at all possible, clean up dog poop before a rainstorm instead of after one. Heavy rain can break poop apart into smaller, harder-to-find pieces and potentially wash some of it into storm drains, potentially contaminating local water sources.
Tip #2: Use the Right Tools
From scooping poop in the yard to picking it up while walking your dog, these are the best tools to help you get the job done!
Spring-loaded scooper: Offering comfort and convenience on grass, a spring-loaded pooper scooper can make any waste pickup session a breeze. You can operate a spring-loaded scooper with just one hand, using the claws to secure feces and dump it in a larger container (such as a garbage bag). Even kids can learn to use these simple yet effective tools!
Wire rake scooper: This type of scooper includes metal prongs that make cleaning grassy surfaces easy. Look for a dog wire rake scooper that’s rust-resistant and includes a rubber grip for optimal comfort.
Spade scooper: A durable spade scooper works well on a variety of surfaces, ranging from grass to asphalt and concrete. This tool features two handles connected to wrap-around scoops, maximizing waste removal.
Waste bags: When you’re on the go, dog waste bags are a must-have option. Most towns require pet parents to pick up their dogs’ poop from public places, such as parks and trails…and it’s just good manners! Waste bags are small enough to fit in your pocket, so you can be ready wherever your dog decides to “go.”
Tip #3: Properly Dispose of Dog Poop
The easiest and most common way to get rid of dog waste is to throw it in the trash. However, this is not the most environmentally friendly option. Even dog poop that has been safely brought to a landfill can eventually produce methane and contaminate important waterways, according to Treehugger.
When possible, consider flushing dog poop down the toilet. This method is recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency, as treatment plants are equipped to handle waste and remove pollutants before they can reach water sources.
Scoop and Bag Confidently!
How often you pick up and discard your furry friend’s waste has many ramifications, so it’s crucial to ensure you establish a smart dog poop cleanup routine. Stick to your schedule and be prepared to handle pickup duty sooner if the forecast includes rain or snow!
Picking up poop as quickly as possible can also help prevent coprophagia in dogs. Learn more about this unusual habit and how you can discourage it.
