What are the Health Risks

Doggie Poo is not a very good fertilizer. Contrary to what many think it is actually very toxic to your yard and the plants around it. It causes “burns” and a strange discoloring or spots in your yard. Doggie poo is one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:

“Probably the greatest health concern associated with animal wastes is pathogens. Many pathogens found in animal waste can infect humans if ingested. Organisms such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, and Salmonella can induce symptoms ranging from skin sores to chest pain. E. coli, which causes diarrhea and abdominal gas, has been the source of disease outbreaks in several States. Particularly virulent strains of E. coli can cause serious illness and fatalities. Cryptosporidium is of particular concern because it is highly resistant to disinfection with chlorine. This protozoan causes gastrointestinal illness lasting two to ten days in healthy individuals but can be fatal in people with weakened immune systems.

Dog droppings often contain roundworms and other parasitic nematodes. Infection by just a few roundworms usually causes no problems, but more severe infections may cause fevers, bronchitis, asthma, or vision problems.” (2)

The most susceptible to pet-borne illnesses are puppies, kittens, and children – that’s because they have a weaker immune system than adults.

Environmental Protection Agency Recommendation

“Pets, particularly dogs, are significant contributors to source water contamination. Studies performed on watersheds in the Seattle, Washington, area found that nearly 20 percent of the bacteria found in water samples were matched with dogs as the host animal.” (1)

Two or three days worth of doggie poo / pet waste droppings from a population of approximately one hundred dogs would provide enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within twenty miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing. This is according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so if you trust the sources that are here to protect us, this is pretty important information.

Doggie Poo Information

It is been estimated that a single gram of doggie poo can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause diarrhea, cramps, intestinal illness, and some very dangerous kidney disorders in humans. In 1991, dog waste / doggie poo was placed in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals by the CPA. It was considered a nonpoint source of pollution according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Additional information on environmental hazards around the home is available from www.uwex.edu/homeasyst


Source: (1) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (4606) EPA 916-F-01-027 July 2001, pg 1 (2) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (4606) EPA 916-F-01-027 July 2001, pg 2