It goes without saying that a poop-free yard is preferable to one covered in, well, you know. However, there’s no shame in admitting picking up dog poo isn’t on your list of favorite things.
So, nobody would blame you if you decided to push off cleaning up poop until tomorrow. Eventually, though, it has to happen, so understanding the benefits of a poop-free yard can help you stop procrastinating and start scooping.
What Happens If You Don’t Pick Up Dog Poop?
Think that leaving your dog’s poop in your yard is no big deal? Maybe you figure it’s your yard, so it’s not bothering anybody else. Or perhaps you figure it will break down over time and go away on its own because it’s organic matter, right?
Unfortunately, neglecting to properly dispose of your dog’s waste creates a few potential issues. First, your yard is going to smell. You may grow accustomed to it thanks to nose blindness, but your neighbors and visitors won’t be happy.
However, beyond the yuck factor of looking at a yard full of poo and smelling it all the time, there are other more serious risks. Leaving poop in your yard could lead to several health issues and can also be detrimental to the environment.
When dog waste remains on the ground, it doesn’t necessarily stay there. For example, rainwater pushes it into storm drains and groundwater. This is the same water that makes its way into lakes, rivers, and streams.
Consequently, dog poop and any bacteria and other nasties it contains could end up contaminating the water supply and aquatic systems. This consequence leads to potential diseases in humans and animals.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Yard Poop-Free
Still not convinced? If you need a little extra motivation when it’s time to scoop poop, remember the following benefits of a poop-free yard.
Your Yard Is Much Nicer and Easy to Enjoy
Obviously, a yard without dog poop is a lot easier to enjoy than one covered in piles of pet waste. First, you don’t have an unpleasant smell. You also don’t have to worry about stepping in poop
Picking up dog poop also helps you maintain a healthier lawn. That’s right, forget the old cop-out of leaving the poop on the ground as a fertilizer. Yes, nitrogen is good for plants, but even plants can get too much of a good thing.
The high nitrogen content in dog waste throws off the pH balance of the grass, making it difficult to grow. Bacteria in dog poop also leads to issues with grass and plants.
When you clean up the poop in your yard, you’ll also enjoy fewer critters and pests that are attracted to the smell and taste (yuck, right?). Overall, your yard will look nicer, smell better, and be a much more pleasant place to hang out, play, relax, and entertain.
A Poop-Free Yard Keeps You and Your Pet Healthier
Plenty of diseases lurk in dog waste (hiding in bacteria and parasites), which is bad news for humans and pets. Your dog could contract intestinal parasites from eating feces or get one of several illnesses.
You also keep yourself and your family safe from a myriad of diseases transmitted by dog poop when you keep your yard clean. Things like e. Coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacteriosis are a few of the many health risks associated with dog feces.
Picking Up Poop Is Good for the Environment
Leaving dog poo on the ground is bad news for the environment because it contains harmful elements that can leach into the soil and beyond. The nutrients in your dog’s poop could end up harming plants and other foliage, throwing off the balance of the surrounding ecosystem.
Failing to pick up dog poop could also ultimately lead to contaminating surface water. Nitrogen and phosphorus in dog poop can lead to algal blooms which compromise the water quality, making the water unsafe for recreational activities.
When it rains, the rainwater can push dog poop into storm drains and send it directly into streams, lakes, and rivers. This is detrimental to the water supply and various aquatic environments, potentially harming animals and people. Therefore, picking up after your dog as soon as possible helps keep the environment healthier and safer for people, animals, and plants.
Cleaning Up Pet Waste Decreases the Risk to Public Health
Dog poop contains microorganisms that could lead to illness and cause resistance to antibiotics. If this occurs, it could lead to larger public health problems. And it’s not just whether the waste ends up in the water or soil.
Although more studies are needed, dog waste may lead to bacteria in the air. If people allow dog poop to pile up in yards and public spaces, it’s not a healthy situation for anyone.
It’s Easier to Keep Clean
Make a habit of regularly scooping your dog’s poop and you’ll make lawn maintenance easier, too. Instead of putting things off because you “still need to pick up the poop,” you can get right to work.
You won’t have piles and piles of poop hindering you from cutting the grass or weeding the garden. Anything’s easier when you make it a habit, so picking up after your dog each day means you aren’t faced with weeks’ worth of poop to tackle.
Cleaning up poop right away also limits the risk of things like toys, gardening tools, and other items ending up covered in waste. For example, you left your gardening gloves on the table and a brisk wind blew them onto the ground, right into a pile of poop. Or maybe you unknowingly step in a pile and track poop across your brand-new outdoor rug. You get the idea.
The Best Ways to Scoop Poop in Your Yard
Again, we know it’s not fun to pick up your dog’s poop, but luckily, there’s a simple way to tackle the task quickly and safely. The Lift N’ Bag allows you to scoop multiple piles of poop in record time, one-handed. How’s that for easy peasy?
All you do is scoop, and the waste goes into the bag-covered bin. A handy trap door keeps the piles you’ve already collected from falling out as you continue to scoop. Then, tie up the bag, dispose of it, and load a replacement bag for the next round of poop scooping.
In a pinch, simple poop bags do the trick. There are also disposal devices that feature extendable handles, automated scoops, or a classic broom and dustpan (although that can be a hassle). What’s most important is that you find a way to clean up after your pup that works best for you, so that you do the job.
A Poop-Free Yard Is a Happy, Healthy Yard
It’s not fun, but scooping your dog’s poop is part of the pet-parenting package. Keeping your yard poop-free makes it nicer to be in, healthier, and better for the environment. Remember, the best time to pick up your dog’s waste is as soon as possible, so finding a pooper scooper that’s easy to use is essential.
The Lift N’ Bag is an easy, affordable, safe option that makes the chore quick and painless. But the main thing is to find a method that works best for you so that you don’t procrastinate when it comes to poop clean-up.
For other tips on keeping your home safe for your pets, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog. You’ll also find plenty of other ideas and resources to help you make informed choices about your favorite fur baby.