Ways to Clean Up Your Dogs Waste

Of all the chores done by pet owners, the least enjoyable is undoubtedly cleaning up their pet's waste products. An undesirable but necessary task, it is important to dispose of waste promptly and properly. Viruses, bacteria and parasites can be spread in the yard or other areas used for eliminations. Feces attract flies and other insects, damage lawns, make walking hazardous and just plain smells bad. Many communities have laws prohibiting the disposal of animal waste in the garbage. Here are some options for keeping your home and environment clean and free of waste and complying with local ordinances.

Waste Management Companies

You may be surprised to know that there are companies who deal with animal waste removal as their sole business. These services are arranged on a contract basis and you decide how often you want them to clean the area and from there you simply pay a service fee.

The fees may vary on how often they visit your home, how many pets are involved or the size of your yard. The feces are taken to locations that comply with your local waste disposal laws. If you don't want anything to do with picking up your yard, this is the best option for you.

Inground Septic Systems

Even if you have a small yard, consider installing an inground septic system. This is a plastic cylinder that is buried in the ground and functions to break down the waste by the use of enzymes and other natural processes. It requires minimal effort to install. The collected feces are deposited into the receptacle and a special packet of enzymes begins the process. Water is absorbed leaving behind odorless byproducts. You still have to clean the yard but these systems are a simple, easy and effective way of dealing with the never-ending supply of waste your pet leaves behind.

Flushable Bags

A product made of biodegradable paper is designed for use in your home plumbing. The feces are collected and deposited in the flushable bag and from there it simply goes down the toilet. The bag breaks down without causing any backups in your plumbing. These bags are a good option if you live in a home with limited or no yard space or if your pet eliminates during walks in public areas.

Do-It-Yourself

Don't be discouraged if clean-up chores are left up to you. Unpleasant as it may be, there is some advantage in picking up after your pet as it serves as a valuable health monitor. If your pet eliminates out of your line of sight on a regular basis, cleaning up the waste may be the only time you become aware of a health problem. Stool that is off-color, contains blood or mucus or has turned to diarrhea is a reason to contact your veterinarian. You may also see parasites or foreign material in the feces, another cause for medical attention.

Many innovative people are sympathetic to your plight and a variety of products have been developed to make the collection process easier. Specially made scoopers eliminate the need for bending and have spring loaded traps so they can be easily operated. There are specialized scoops with bag attachments so the feces fall right into a disposable bag. There are even scoop and broom combinations. A visit to your local pet supply store will surprise you with a variety of options.

Your local community may have restrictions regarding the disposal of animal waste. Check with your waste disposal company to see if special conditions apply.