5 Reasons to Pick Up Dog Poop

No one really wants to pick up dog poop. I mean it is kind of gross. However, it’s a necessary evil, so hopefully these reasons inspire (or freak you out) to pick up the pooper scooper sooner than later. As a general rule, it’s best to pick up dog poop in your backyard every other day. During walks, pick up dog poop every time (yes, never leave home without a poop bag!).

No One Likes a Poopy Dog Foot

It’s happened to everyone: your dog goes out to potty in the backyard and comes back inside with an aroma following him. At first, you check your shoes, but then suddenly notice smeared poop on your beloved hardwood floors (or worse yet, carpet!). Some of you may even witness poop smashed on your dog’s foot. Yup, your dog stepped in poop. Now you need to clean his foot (or feet), including your floor. Gross!

Picking up dog fecal matter daily will ensure this never happens again. If your dog goes on walks for potty breaks, pick it up every time. It’s easier to pick up and throw out dog poop than clean it off your dog’s foot and from your floor. Trust me, your dog is just as grossed out as you. 🙂

Dog Poop on Your Shoe, Gross!

I swear this happens right before heading out to an important appointment; it never fails. Stepping in dog poop is plain disgusting because now you have to clean your shoe, which is easier said than done. It’s worse when you’ve tracked it throughout your house without even noticing it–doubly disgusting! Even more embarrassing is when your friends or neighbors step in your dog’s poop!

You know what makes me even angrier than stepping in dog poop? Stepping in someone else’s dog poop because she didn’t pick it up in public places. Pick up your dog’s poop every time. Never leave home without a poop bag. If you do, find something to pick it up ASAP.

Swarm of Insects

Dog poop attracts bugs–lots of them. If you have a fly problem, you probably have lots of dog poop in your backyard. If it’s not you, then it could very well be your neighbor’s yard, especially if she has multiple dogs.

Now your dog’s poop won’t only attract flies, but also all types of disgusting bugs whose sole purpose is to consume fecal matter. Keep your bug population down and pick up your dog’s poop. 🙂

Deters Dogs From Eating Poop

Dogs eat poop and some will even eat their own poop. When asked why dogs eat fecal matter, I lightly explain that coprophagia (consumption of poop) is an acquired taste; dogs learn to enjoy it by eating it often. Plus, some dogs are attracted to stool that contains partially digested food materials. Short answer: remove poop daily and your dog will never learn to love it. 🙂

Stop Disease and Water Pollution

Not only is stepping in dog poop gross, but leftover dog poop can also pollute our environment. While we secretly assume fecal matter “naturally” decomposes over time, it’s actually seeping into our groundwater. Don’t believe me? Check out EPA’s view on picking up dog poop. They have some very compelling arguments. In some counties, states and countries, you can be fined for not picking up your dog’s poop.

Also, dog poop contains disease; it’s plain and simple. Intestinal parasites are very common in dogs, especially if they haven’t been ingesting monthly heartworm prevention (heartworm prevention also kills common intestinal parasites too, depending on the brand). Unvaccinated dogs can most certainly pass on viruses, such as parvovirus, which is highly contagious. Please, pick up your dog’s poop every time. No excuses.

Hopefully, you’re motivated to immediately pick up after your dog now. With 70 to 80 million dogs in the US in 2014, it’s the right thing to do for our environment.