A white Retriever dog sits, smiling, with a green field in the background.

1. Dog Waste is Toxic for Your Lawn

A field that has half dry earth and half green grass.

While most people think all poop acts as a fertilizer, only feces from herbivores have fertilizing properties. Bet you didn’t know that, huh? Feces from carnivorous creatures do not act as a fertilizer, meaning your pup’s presents do not help your lawn in any way. In fact, they actually have the opposite effect: they’re toxic for your yard and plants. They can actually create large dead spots in your yard. Carnivorous feces are very acidic, meaning they can kill your grass if left on your lawn for an extended period of time. Plus, since they are a solid substance, they smother your grass, killing it further. Now, you might be feeling pretty bad if you’ve ever forgotten to pick up your dog’s waste. However, if you hire someone else to clean it up for you, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting. You’ll save time and save your lawn!

2. Dog Waste Can Carry Life -Threatening Diseases

A green-hued, microscopic view of a virus.

According to PetHelpful.com, dog waste can contain:

  • Giardia– A intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, upset stomach, nausea/vomiting, and dehydration (CDC)
  • Salmonella– A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea (that can be bloody), fever, stomach cramps, and can also cause, nausea, vomiting, can headache (CDC).
  • Leptospira– A bacterial disease that can cause; high fever; headache; chills; muscle aches; vomiting; jaundice (yellow skin and eyes); red eyes; abdominal pain; diarrhea; and rash. If left untreated it can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death (CDC).
  • E. coli (up to 23 million per gram of poop)– Most strains of the E. coli bacteria are harmless, but dog poop can contain harmful strains. These strains can cause severe stomach cramps; diarrhea (often bloody); vomiting; urinary tract infections; respiratory illness and pneumonia, and sometimes other illnesses (CDC)
  • Parvo virus- This can only infect other dogs, but its still very dangerous in any dog or puppy who is infected. It can cause lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe (often bloody) diarrhea. It can even lead to dehydration, damage to the intestinal tract and immune system, and septic shock (AVMA).
  • Roundworms– An intestinal parasite with many different species that can infect animals and humans. These parasites can cause tiredness; wheezing; cough; fever; severe abdominal pain; burning feeling in the abdomen; diarrhea; alternating diarrhea and constipation; bloody stools; intestinal cramps; colic; nausea; vomiting; restlessness; disturbed sleep; serious anemia; weight loss; itchy private parts; muscle aches and pains; high fever; swelling in the eyes and face; eye infection and rashes (Cleveland Clinic).

All of these are harmful to humans and/or other animals. If you happen to touch contaminated dirt and rub your face, or your child or dog consumes contaminated dirt, vegetation, or water, the situation can become dangerous quickly. Hiring a poop-picker-upper with the right heavy-duty (pun intended) supplies and sanitation materials is an ideal way to avoid infection.

3. Dog Waste is an Environmental Pollutant

A still, contaminated lake in front of a tree line and smokestacks.

According to the EPA, dog waste is one of the many pollutants that contaminate water bodies. Dog waste contains nutrients and pathogens that decompose in water bodies, releasing nutrients that cause excessive growth of algae and weeds. This not only makes the water murky, green, and smelly, but can also make it unusable for swimming, boating, or fishing. Additonally, because dog poop contains pathogens and disease-causing bacteria and viruses, it can make local waters un-swimmable, un-fishable, and even dangerous for humans. Hiring someone else to pick up dog waste not only saves you time, but also helps the environment.

4. Picking Up Dog Waste takes Time – Time That You Don’t Have

A three-quarter view of a Timex watch face, with the time at 2:12.

If you have a pet and any type of yard, you know the struggle of setting aside a block of time for collecting your pup’s presents. You have to find a time that you’re free, you have to gather every plastic bag in your house, and when you’re done, you have to double- or triple-garbage-bag the “gifts” to make sure you’re entire trash can doesn’t smell like a cattle farm. This could take anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours, depending on how big your yard is, how big your dog is, and what measures you take to dispose of the waste. You’d much rather spend that time watching Netflix, hanging out with your friends, or literally doing anything else. However, if you hire someone else to do this for you, you can get that time back. Professional dog waste cleaners have teams, as well as professional equipment, to get the job done in half the time, while you just relax.

We all agree that picking up dog waste is not a pleasant experience, and we’ve all wished there was someone else to do it for us. Now, you know that getting someone else to do it is actually the safest, most convenient option that will not only help the environment, but also keep your lawn healthy!

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