Why Scoop Poop?

Every dog owner has to deal with it, but no one really wants to. Did you ever realize how important cleaning up your dog’s poop really is? It’s not just a matter of enjoying your yard free of land mines; it’s a matter of safety for you and your family. Dog waste doesn’t disintegrate into the soil.  If left on your lawn, it can pose serious health hazards.  Disease can be spread through feces and fly infestations, and while we don’t like to admit it, at some point in their lives, most dogs will engage in the unsavory practice of eating their own poop. It is your responsibility to you and your family to take every measure possible to keep your family away from dog feces. There are several very common diseases that can be transmitted to dogs and people through feces. Some of these diseases are giardia, roundworms, salmonella, e.coli, parvovirus and the coronavirus. These diseases spread very easily. For example, when infected dog droppings are on the ground, eggs of roundworms can linger in the soil for several years.  As a result, any pet or person who comes into contact with the soil has the potential to come into contact with the infected eggs. Hookworms can be transmitted from the infected soil or feces to people who walk barefoot, people like you or your children. The most common bacterial infection spread from animals to humans is salmonella, which can be spread through dog feces and can result in fevers, diarrhea, vomiting and even death.  Not only can feces transmit disease, but the flies that are attracted to feces transmit disease also. Flies will consume and lay eggs in feces. These same flies will then come into your house and spread disease as they pause on your counter and food. More than 100 pathogens are associated with the common house fly. These pathogens can cause disease in humans, including, cholera, hepatitis, typhoid fever, bacillary dysentery, polio, and tuberculosis. Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests. Stool snacking is more than aesthetically unpleasant. It’s also a sure-fire way to transmit internal parasites. As unappetizing as it sounds to us, coprophagia, or eating feces, is quite natural for dogs. The best prevention is regular yard cleaning. We recommend scooping your yard twice a week to prevent this dangerous habit. While most of us don’t like to think of scooping poop, it’s a chore that can’t be ignored. Let a local company do the dirty work and you can have peace of mind knowing that you are doing everything possible to keep your family safe.