How To Dispose Of Dog Poop: Myths And Facts

How to dispose of dog poop: myths and facts

Updated on November 8, 2022

When talking about dog poop (yes, dog owners talk about dog poop just like first-time parents talk about their baby's poop), there are endless myths that we believe squarely, but they are a lie. Therefore, we analyze how to dispose of dog poop.

Are you ready to learn which beliefs are true, and which are not, and how you should deal with your furry friend's poop.

Myths And Facts Of Dog Waste Disposal

Just a few decades ago, no one (or almost no one) picked up their dog's poop. The most common thing was to go for a walk and leave the dog waste in the middle of the park, with the consequent disaster if someone walked around the area distracted.

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Did you know that at Give a Sh!t we donate 10% of our profits to the Soi Dog Foundation? 
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In fact, in some countries of the world, this still happens. Yes, even if it is hard for you to believe!

Picking up the poop of our four-legged friends is a fairly new habit and even more so doing it using materials that are not harmful to the planet such as paper or our compostable and 100% plastic-free poop bags.

Let's see together the myths and facts about how to dispose of dog poop ...

1. Flushing Dog Poop Is The Best Option: HALF FACT

Yes, flushing dog poop is indeed a practical way to get rid of dog poop.

Major government agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Resources Defense Council maintain that it is the best option to avoid the risks that the fecal matter entails releasing its bacteria in the open air and can reach storm drains and even water bodies.

However, how many of us flush dog poop? Not many, to say almost none. And it is easy to understand why: we must collect the dog poop, carry it with us throughout the walk, remove it from the bag and flush it down the toilet.

We want to emphasize that most dog poop bags should never be flushed down the toilet to avoid plumbing problems.

On the other hand, some studies don't recommend this option because the water purification process cannot eliminate all pathogens. 

Note: never flush your cat's poop down the toilet, as it can contain the bacterium Toxoplasma gondii, which is extremely contagious to people and animals.

2. Dog Poop Is Compost, So Leave It Outdoors: MYTH

While it is true that dog poop can be used as compost, it must be previously composted following specific guidelines so that it decomposes properly.

➡️ Basically what we want to tell you is that dog poop should never be left outdoors as it is a real health hazard.

Different studies, such as one published in Environmental Science and Technology, indicate that exposure to bacteria present in animal poop, such as dog waste, can generate diarrhea, vomiting and much more.

For this reason, dog poop should never be left outdoors to decompose and compost. If you want to compost dog poop, read our article about it. You can compost dog poop on your balcony or garden!

Discover: Compost Dog Poop: The Only Guide You Will Use

3. Dog Poop Is Not Harmful To Health: MYTH

We anticipated it in the previous section, and we insist on it: it doesn't matter how you are going to dispose of dog poop, whether you decide to flush it, compost it or throw it away, you must handle it very carefully.

Your dog's poop can have bacteria like:

  • Campylobacteriosis, the main symptoms of which are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
  • Campylobacter can be a bacterial infection that can travel to the bloodstream and result in a life-threatening infection.
  • E. Coli, whose symptoms are usually vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
  • Salmonellosis, usually causes fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Also, it can contain parasites. Cyclospora infection causes gastroenteritis, while Roundworm larvae present in dog waste can migrate to the human body and cause complicated diseases.

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Are you still using plastic bags to pick up your dog's poop? These take around 50 years to degrade. 

Better use compostable dog poop bags.

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So what is the best way to get rid of dog poop?

The Best Way To Dispose Of Dog Poop

When it comes to handling your dog's waste, the best way to dispose of dog poop is to create your compost bin to compost it into excellent compost for your inedible plants.

And what about flushing dog poop? As we already told you, some agencies sustain that it can be a good idea, but other studies don't recommend it because of the pathogens present in dog waste.

The best way to get rid of dog poop is composting it!

FAQ

What Is The Most Eco-Friendly Way To Get Rid Of Dog Poop?

What Is The Most Eco-Friendly Way To Get Rid Of Dog Poop? 

Experts still debate what is the best way to dispose of dog poop. Some argue that flushing dog waste is the best option. However, other specialists maintain that this could collapse the pipes and also generate land contamination, in the event that the purifiers suffer any inconvenience that forces them to release the water. On the other hand, experts also point out that composting dog poop would be a good way to get rid of it. However, for this, a series of recommendations must be followed that make it possible to eliminate bacteria.

What Happens If You Don't Clean Up Dog Poop?

The parasites and bacteria in dog waste can cause a wide range of illnesses, including salmonella. The risk for disease transmission is highest when you don't pick up after your pup!

E coli has also been found, along with other potentially harmful microbes that are carried around by pet dander (which sounds exactly how it sounds). You might not even know it's there but still end up infected because these microscopic creatures live off our skin cells while they're invisible - no wonder why people love having clean houses...

How Long Does Dog Poop Take To Decompose?

The decomposition process for dog poop can take up to a year in very cold climates, with hard, consistent feces made mostly out of meat. In contrast, though it's worth noting that smaller sized poops will break down much quicker than larger ones do - typically within two months! The type of food your pup eats also affects how long they'll spend decomposing.

 

 

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR COMPOSTABLE DOG POOP BAGS!

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