Attention dog-parents everywhere: this is why you must pick up after your pooch!
I have to admit, I have been guilty of not picking up after my two beagles on occasion. And by pick up after, I mean scoop their poop. It’s not pretty, maybe we don’t like to talk about it, but it’s a reality for any dog owner. Dogs go #2 and it’s up to us to clean up after them.
This year on Earth Day, we here at From Under a Palm Tree had an exciting outing at the Tampa Bay Eco-Fest. We were able to speak to all kinds of organizations and vendors with the intent to live more sustainable lives. That’s always our goal here at From Under a Palm Tree.
Something I learned from Eco-fest is how important it is for the environment to pick up after our pups! I always knew it was important so you don’t step in it, but I never thought about it further than that. So, as part 3 of a 4-part Eco-Fest series, here are some reasons why it’s so important to pick up after your pupper.
Related: 7 Tips to Improve Your Environmental Paw Print
7 Reasons to Scoop the Poop:
- Dog waste often carries parasites and bacteria that can be directly transmitted to humans to make them sick.
- If the waste is contaminated it can make pets sick too. When poop is left in the yard for too long it contaminates the soil and water potentially creating a cycle of infecting pets and people alike.
- It attracts rodents. Dog waste can be a food source for rats and other rodents. No one wants rodents in or around their homes if they can help it.
- Dog waste is not fertilizer. Because a dog’s diet is typically made up of animal products it doesn’t enrich soil the same way a plant-based diet would.
- Waste doesn’t disappear when the lawn mowed either, it just gets smaller – see number 2.
- Unscooped poop can be washed into storm drains, streams, and rivers where it’s harmful to fish.
- Excessive nutrients in the water cause algal blooms and deprive water of oxygen needed to support aquatic life.
To go that extra step when picking up after your pooch, you can use organic or biodegradable doggy bags. Make it easier get a bag dispenser that clips right to your leash! A step even further is to dispose of it right into a toilet. That way it’s treated at a sewage plant.
Related: Eco-friendly Landscaping Principles
Were you surprised by any of this? Let me know in the comments below what you thought because I was definitely surprised by this information.
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Christina is a twenty-something living with her beagle, Mash, and husband, Nate in their van. She loves traveling, shopping, art, and photography. She’s also a vegetarian, pop-culture enthusiast, book-lover, and Dave Matthews Band fanatic. Catch her somewhere around the country in a converted camper van or at home in Florida for a visit.
Niiiice article!! Wish I had a pet though 😭
Thanks! At least you know for the future if you ever get a dog! And you are a source of powerful knowledge for your dog-owner friends. Spread the word :)!
Agreed! I ALWAYS take care of my dog’s poop when we’re out.
I never thought about this before; great points!
Good insight, and definitely wish I could send this post to everyone who leaves dog poop lying around -.-
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This are some really good points you made. When we had our dogs we did pick it up but more for the reason so nobody would step init. Now in hindsight it was even better we picked it up.
I completely agree with the importance of picking up after your dog, and this article really drove the point home! It’s easy to overlook the impact that dog waste can have on the environment, but the seven reasons outlined by From Under a Palm Tree make it crystal clear why it’s so crucial. I was particularly surprised to learn that dog waste doesn’t act as a fertilizer, and that it can actually carry harmful bacteria and parasites that can make both humans and pets sick. The tip about using biodegradable doggy bags and even disposing of it in a toilet was also really helpful. Thank you for sharing this informative article – I’ll definitely be more diligent about scooping my pup’s poop from now on!