Easy Way to Scoop Dog Poop

Share

Cleaning up after your dog may well be a big, stinky problem if you don’t know an easy way to scoop dog poop.

Dog waste, if not properly disposed, can become a health hazard. If you leave wastes on the ground, worms and parasites such as giardia, salmonella and E. coli can gather, later infecting humans who come contact with them.

Rainwater can wash pet waste into waterways, and animal waste contributes to depleting oxygen from water. So it’s important to know how to properly dispose of dog poop. Besides, in many places, it’s the law. Do the right thing.

Here is an easy way to scoop dog poop, followed by some environmentally-friendly dog waste disposal tips (composting bins or doggie septic systems, anyone?) Enjoy…

Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags (and Boxes)

This is, of course, probably the most convenient method of cleaning up after your dog. Don’t ever use standard plastic bags, which are not earth friendly. Biodegradable dog poop bags will break down easily in as little time as three months. Buy these baggies in bulk to save money.

Good brands include PoopBags.com, BioBag, EcoChoices and Pet Habitats. There is even a flushable dog bag! An alternative to plastic bags is something called the Skooperbox, made out of cardboard that breaks down in less than a month. This tiny box for dog waste comes in packs of 30.

Plenty of pet shops sell dog waste disposal systems. Good ones we like include the Precision Pet Little Stinker and Hound Dog brands. Some dog scoops come with digest powder that will help decompose the poop, working a bit like a septic system for dog poop. Look for a brand that has chemicals that won’t harm the environment. One very cool scooper we saw actually was a catridge-type scoop. Called the Woofle Scoopstick, you just “load, collect and eject.” Hey, these guys make it sound like fun.

If you’d rather scoop for cheap, then use a spare dust pan from your home. Line the pan with a biodegradable plastic bag. Watch where you step! Enzyme products (among them, Nature’s Miracle and Kennel Fresh) or applying lime will help eliminate odors. Scoop your yard daily, or every time your dog eliminates. Hey, it’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. (Of course, you might even consider hiring a professional pooper scooper to do this for you.)

Do-It-Yourself Dog Toilet

Set up a bucket with holes along the bottom and bury it in your back yard. You can dump the poop into it. The dog toilet (or dog loo) is a money-saving way to dispose dog waste. Pour water into the bucket that has an enzyme drain cleaner, which will help break down the pet waste. If you would rather skip the DIY stuff, then a storage container such as DogiPot Dog Valet might be right for you.

Build a Worm Compost Bin

This one is for the ambitious do-it-yourselfer. If you seek to convert dog poop into something more useful, then knowing how to build a worm compost bin might be the way to go. Basically the worms will eat the waste, as well as your food scraps from home, and you’ll end up with worm castings, a terrific plant fertilizer. And kids love worms!

You can use a large plastic storage box with ventilation holes drilled in the bottom. Shred and moisten some newspaper, and add the newspaper and a handful of dirt to the bin. Place the worms inside, and cover with a piece of moistened cardboard.

Of course, you might find that simply buying a worm compost bin system is easier. A top of the line brand is the Tumbleweed Pet Poo Poop Composter Converter.

Join the Pets Adviser Community! Get advice, make friends, play games.
Join now for a chance to win $150.

Share

More Advice From Pets Adviser

Tags dog poop dog poop bag dog toilet parasites poop pooper scooper salmonella worms