{"id":157,"date":"2020-06-11T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shilohsvet.com\/blog\/?p=157"},"modified":"2020-06-26T08:18:45","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T15:18:45","slug":"a-poopy-problem-why-picking-up-your-pets-waste-is-necessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shilohsvet.com\/blog\/a-poopy-problem-why-picking-up-your-pets-waste-is-necessary\/","title":{"rendered":"A Poopy Problem: Why Picking Up Pet Waste Is Necessary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You\u2019ve encountered it. You are out at the park with your pet and look over to see someone\u2019s dog \u201cdoing their business\u201d. Just as soon as he\u2019s done, the dog and owner quickly trot off, leaving the grossness where it was deposited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People not picking up after their pet is a serious problem. Not only is it rude and causes stink and the risk of people stepping on it, but pet waste also carries disease and attracts flies and other parasites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picking up your pet\u2019s waste is a part of being a responsible dog owner<\/a>. The team at Shiloh Veterinary Hospital<\/a> is here to explain why this unfortunate doody duty benefits your pet, you, and the entire community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Trouble with Dog Waste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to an article in Live Science, dogs produce over 10 million tons of poop each year. That is a disturbing amount of fecal matter, right? Most of this ends up in landfills, as well as on our lawns, in parks, and in natural waterways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some pet owners shrug their shoulders and consider their dog\u2019s waste organic or natural. Unfortunately, while waste disintegrates, there is nothing natural about it. So, what’s the trouble with leaving dog waste behind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Waste can transmit diseases to humans and animals<\/strong>. Many contagious illnesses like parvovirus are carried in a pet\u2019s poop. Sometimes these organisms can live in waste for more than a few days. If a pet comes into contact with it, or if we do, then we are at risk of an illness. A few illnesses that can be carried through poop include Leptospira, E. coli, and Salmonella. <\/li>
  2. It is smelly<\/strong>. If you have ever walked through a park where there is a lot of dog waste, you know that it can be stinky. This odor attracts flies and parasites that also carry disease. Multiple flies can be a nuisance when you are out trying to enjoy the day with your fur friend.<\/li>
  3. It contaminates water. <\/strong>Your pet\u2019s poop can cause problems for natural water sources, contaminating the area and encouraging bacteria, such as giardia<\/em>. Creeks, springs, and other forms of natural free-flowing water need to be protected for the ecological health of the region, as well as our own health and well-being.<\/li>
  4. It\u2019s messy<\/strong>. As anyone who has inadvertently stepped in dog poo can attest, it\u2019s inconvenient and gross. No one wants to be out enjoying the great outdoors<\/a>, only to have a mishap with someone else\u2019s dog feces. It\u2019s also just generally unattractive.<\/li>
  5. It destroys lawns<\/strong>. Dog fecal matter contains contaminants that destroy grass and other plants.<\/li>
  6. It carries intestinal parasites. <\/strong>Hookworm, roundworm, tapeworms, and other intestinal parasites are commonly transmitted through contact with pet waste.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Tips to Dispose of Your Pet\u2019s Waste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Since there are several problems associated with leaving your pet\u2019s waste on the ground, we can all agree that disposing of these can help humans, animals, and the environment. Here are a few tips to make picking up your pet\u2019s waste a snap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n