Many pet owners have encountered the inevitable: dog poop. Whether you have a small dog or a larger one, chances are you’ve asked yourself the question: “Can I bury my dog’s poop in my garden?”. In this post, we will explore the pros and cons of burying dog poop in your yard, as well as discuss some alternatives.
Because our pets are an integral part of our lives, it’s important to make sure we understand the best practices for disposing of their waste, so as to keep both our outdoor spaces and pets healthy. While burying dog poop can seem like an easy option, there are a few considerations to take into account, such as the impact on the environment, and the potential health risks if done incorrectly.
We will uncover the facts behind burying dog poop in your garden, and evaluate the different methods available to dispose of dog waste in an effective and safe way. By the
Can dog poop be used as fertilizer?
If the quantity of harmful bacteria mentioned above wasn’t enough to persuade you, allow us to be more explicit: dog poop shouldn’t be used as fertilizer. This is not cow manure or chicken poop, which both typically begin as vegetation and are generally thought to be effective at redistributing nutrients into the soil.
According to Poop 911, a dog’s protein-based diet frequently produces extremely acidic waste. It’s bad for lawns, as anyone who has walked onto their front lawn only to discover an unexpected landmine can attest. Dog poop can turn grass brown and burnt, and you don’t want the dangerous bacteria it contains to cycle through your soil. Article continues below advertisement.
What to do with dog poop in your yard:
There isn’t much else you can do with dog waste besides dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner. Dog poop is loaded with bacteria. 1 gram of dog waste may contain up to 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, according to Poop 911. This bacteria can contaminate waterways and have been known to make people sick. It’s not something you should really leave lying around in your backyard or even in your garden beds. Article continues below advertisement.
Eco-Friendly Solutions to Dog Poop
OK, so dogs poop. Well, everybody does, but not everybody goes outdoors. Or in the quantities that dogs do. Actually, a significant problem is the quantity (sort of intended pun).
There are a LOT of dogs in the world, and if they are all properly trained and have no medical restrictions, they can all go outside. A lot. And, if left behind, dog poop contaminates groundwater. And if picked up in a plastic bag, dog waste will spend all of time enclosed in plastic in a landfill.
There are three primary methods of disposal to discuss, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each: flushing, throwing away, and composting dog poop. Letâs dig in, shall we?.
FAQ
How long does it take for dog poop to decompose when buried?
Facts about dog waste that every pet family should be aware of for safety and health It may surprise you to learn that dog waste takes up to a year to completely decompose, leaving your lawn patchy and brown. However, regular dog poop cleaning can reverse the situation in a matter of weeks.
Does dog poop decompose if buried?
In some cases, depending on the environment and the dog’s diet, dog poop can decompose in as little as 9 weeks. Dog poop can take up to a year to decompose and break down in colder climates, especially if it has been buried in the ground during winter in the woods.
What is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of dog poop?
According to the EPA, flushing dog waste down the toilet is the most environmentally friendly method of disposal. The majority of municipal water treatment facilities are set up to handle feces-containing water, and dog waste is not all that dissimilar from human waste.
Can you plant a garden where dogs have pooped?
Giardia, parvovirus, hookworms, roundworms, and other parasites can all survive for days in dog feces. There is a possibility that parasites from dog poop will lay eggs on your crops if you use it as fertilizer for vegetables. If ingested, they will make you seriously ill.