If you have a dog, you have dog poop in your yard.
If you have 2 dogs, you have double the dog poop.
If you have 3 dogs………well, you get my drift.
Cleaning up dog poop from your yard and anywhere else is part of owning a dog.
It’s your job to clean up their poop and it’s the responsible thing to do.
Is It Bad To Not Pick Up Dog Poop In My Yard?
Yes!
Dog poop is waste and should be picked up as soon as possible.
Dog poop is not fertilizer and should not be used to fertilize your lawn.
It also could be harboring diseases and parasites!
Is Dog Poop Good For My Lawn?
No!
Contrary to popular belief, dog poop is not good for your grass.
In fact, it’s actually the opposite.
Just like dog urine can result in urine burn on your lawn, so can dog poop because it contains nitrogen.
Too much nitrogen in one spot burns grass.
When dog poop sits on your grass for too long it will start to break down.
When it breakdowns it releases nitrogen which will burn the grass.
This is why you should also pick up dog poop before you mow the grass.
Dog Poop Carries Diseases and Parasites
Besides it being just gross to not pick up your dog’s poop, it can also be harmful to you, your family and other pets.
You take your dog’s poop to the vet at least once a year to get checked for parasites for a reason because parasites are harmful to your dog and to you.
According to the CDC, parasites and diseases that can be transmitted through a dog’s poop are:
- Campylobacteriosis
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Tapeworm
- Echinococcosis
- Giardia
- Hookworm
- Roundworm
- Salmonella
Not to mention dog poop can attract other animals to your yard like rats and mice which can also spread diseases and parasites.
And yet another reason to pick the poop up before you mow the grass, if you run over it and spread it all over the yard you could also be spreading diseases and parasites.
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How Often Should I Pick Up Dog Poop From My Yard?
Most dogs poop at least twice a day, sometimes more so if you have only 1 small dog you can usually pick up dog poop at least once a week.
If you have multiple dogs, you’ll have multiple piles of poop in your yard so it’s a good idea to pick up poop at least once a day or every time your dogs’ poop.
If you can’t get out to pick up dog poop once a day, it should be done at least 1-2 times a week.
If your dog doesn’t poop in your yard and only poops on walks, you should pick it up every single time.
How To Dispose Of Dog Poop
According to the USDA, the safest and best way to dispose of dog poop from your yard is to compost it.
If that is not available in your area, most cities will allow you to dispose of dog poop in your trash but you should always verify this with your city’s trash service.
If you opt to dispose of dog poop in your trash it’s recommended to double bag the poop using “environmentally safe” bags.
Other ways to dispose of dog poop include:
- Burying the poop (if you have enough land to do so)
- Flushing the poop down the toilet (not always possible depending on how many dog’s you have and what size they are)
- DIY dog waste septic system
- Invest in a dog waste containment system
- Get a Waste Digester Bin
- Sign up for a poop waste removal service in your area.
What About Dissolving Dog Poop In Your Yard?
Picking up dog poop in your yard is obviously the easiest and fastest way to get rid of the poop but if you really wanted to you could dissolve it.
Products that can dissolve dog poop are:
- Vinegar
- Agricultural lime
- Doogie Dooley (an enzyme-based dissolving product)
Of course, these products come with their own set of problems sometimes and they can take a little bit to work.
These products would probably work well if you had a small dog or a dog with loose stool or diarrhea.
Should You Pick Up Poop In The Winter?
Picking up dog poop in the winter can suck and sometimes it’s nearly impossible.
It’s always best to pick up dog poop in the snow as soon as you can, especially before it melts.
I get it, sometimes it snows and covers the poop.
Just try to clean it up when you can and try not to wait until the spring or you’ll be faced with poop soup.
And always make sure to wash your hands well after picking up your dog’s poop!