DID YOU KNOW?
How much does my dog poop?
On average, your furry friend poops twice a day which equals roughly 1/2 their body weight in waste each week. To put this in perspective, a 30 lb Labrador Retriever generates 780 pounds of poop a year - what a mess!
Can pet waste be harmful to my health?
Yes. Other people, your family members, & especially your pets that spend time in the yard engaging in outdoor activities are at the greatest risk. Dog poop is the most common carrier of roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, known as gastrointestinal parasites that shed eggs in dog feces. Activities such as gardening, walking barefoot in the yard, or playing sports increase the risk of encountering those parasitic eggs and subsequent larvae. These parasites can also be tracked into the house by pets and shoes, affecting occupants of the home.
Is pet waste harmful to the environment?
Yes. When pet waste is washed into creeks, streams, rivers, or the bay, the waste decays, using up oxygen. Low oxygen levels combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains properties that facilitate accelerated weed and algae growth. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries diseases which makes water unsafe for drinking.
Won't the poop eventually just disintegrate?
Generally, no. It takes up to a year for dog feces to decompose. In the meantime, it causes brown spots in the yard. Being mowed over also causes the spreading and inhalation of fecal matter, which attracts rodents and other pests. Dog feces is a favorite snack of mice, rats and other rodents. If they are in your yard snacking, they are most likely in your home snacking as well.
