Okay, it’s not the most stylish task, but it simply has to be done. As soon as your pup has done their “number two”, it’s time to pick up the poop. Besides being the polite thing to do, it’s also important for other reasons. It helps prevent health problems in your dog community (more on that later). There are several ways to clean up dog poop quickly and neatly.
Read on to discover why picking up your dog’s poop matters and how to do it in the best possible way.
Poop bag holder: clean up dog poop in no time
Why do we clean up dog poop?
Cleaning up after your dog has pooped isn’t exactly fun, but it is necessary. There are plenty of reasons why it has to be done, from social acceptance to protecting other dogs in your community from disease.
Doing the right thing
Socially speaking, if you have a dog, it’s expected that you clean up their poop while you’re out on a walk. Picking up after your dog is an important part of keeping your surroundings clean and happy. Nobody enjoys stepping in dog poop and then having to walk around with smelly, dirty shoes!
You also don’t want to spend your entire walk staring at the ground just to avoid stepping in poop. It’s gross, and we’re all much happier when it isn’t lying around everywhere.
A healthier environment
You may not realise it, but dog poop can carry diseases and parasites that spread through contact. These illnesses can range from relatively harmless to life‑threatening, and cleaning up after your dog helps prevent them from spreading.
One of the most dangerous diseases for dogs, parvovirus, can be transmitted through faeces. If a young or unvaccinated dog comes into contact with poop from a dog with parvo, there’s a high chance they’ll catch it too.
Besides diseases, parasites can also be present in the poop, and these are often not only contagious to other dogs. Hookworms and whipworms, for example, can even be passed on to humans through contact with dog faeces.
Cleaning up dog poop: it’s a must
On top of the social responsibility to pick up dog poop, it’s also something you’re simply required to do. In many places, the law obliges dog owners to clean up after their dogs. If you don’t, there’s a good chance you’ll receive a fine if you’re caught. Picking up poop is serious business.
Dog poop can affect ecosystems
Believe it or not, cleaning up dog poop helps prevent environmental harm. Many wild mammals and birds would never normally come into contact with the diseases that can be spread through dog poop.
If you don’t pick up your dog’s poop, it’s likely to attract wildlife. As a result, these animals can be exposed to diseases that may threaten their lives.
On top of that, insects are drawn to your dog’s droppings, which can trigger a domino effect. If parasites are present in the poop, pests like flies and mosquitoes can pick them up when they land on it. This allows the parasites to spread faster and throughout the entire ecosystem.
An impact on water
If we left our dogs’ poop lying around for a long period of time, the waste would eventually seep into the water. This affects both the quality and usability of that water. When dog poop ends up in waterways, it can cause the spread of diseases and parasites and make the water smell terrible. This is something we can easily prevent by cleaning up after our dogs.
As you can see, picking up your dog’s “number two” helps avoid a wide range of negative effects and creates a positive impact on the community as a whole. It’s an important job.
Ways to clean up dog poop
How to clean up dog poop might seem obvious, but there are likely methods you haven’t thought of yet. There are several ways to clean up after your pup has done their business, but we’ll focus on the most common ones.
Poepzakjes
Poop bags are the best and easiest way to clean up after your pup. They create a solid barrier between the poop and your hand that nothing can seep through. They’re also lightweight and affordable. There are several ways to store and use dog poop bags, but two options are especially handy.
Clip‑on poop bag holder
There are a few different ways to carry poop bags on your walk, but a poop bag holder that clips onto your dog’s leash is by far the most convenient. This way, you always have bags within reach when you head out with your pup, and you’ll never forget them again.
Loose poop bag dispenser
This could be a poop bag dispenser in a public park, or one you mount on a wall or fence if your dog has a backyard to play in. It’s a great way to keep an area – or your garden – nice and clean. Unfortunately, not every municipality in the Netherlands provides poop bags. So if you’re not sure whether there will be bags available where you’re going for a walk, bring your own.
Remember, when you pick up the poop, you don’t want to touch it, as it can carry parasites and diseases. Put the bag over your hand like a glove, grab the poop, and then turn the bag inside out around it.
Tie a knot in the bag and voilà!
Poop scoop
Poop scoops are really only suitable for use at home when you’re cleaning up poop in your garden. The principle is similar to a dustpan and brush, except the brush is replaced by a scoop.
When you use a poop scoop, don’t forget to clean it thoroughly afterwards. It needs to be properly disinfected to prevent the spread of diseases and parasites.
Don’t forget the poop bag holder
When you head out for a lovely walk with your furry friend, it’s important not to forget your poop bags. The easiest way is to keep them in a poop bag holder attached to the leash. Do you have multiple leashes? Then it’s smart to attach a poop bag holder to each one, so you’re sure you’ll never leave home without bags.
Responsible puppy parent
Cleaning up after your dog has done their business is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a puppy parent. It helps prevent the spread of diseases and parasites and keeps your surroundings clean.
It may not be the most enjoyable task, but it has to be done. Your dog – and your community – will be grateful!
Ik ben Denise, oprichter van Pawness. Ontstaan vanuit de liefde voor mijn hond Bo en de zoektocht naar eerlijke, mooie producten voor honden. Ik geloof dat elke keuze telt: voor je hond, voor de planeet en voor de mensen erachter. Met deze blogs help ik puppyouders bewuster te kiezen, zonder dat het ingewikkeld hoeft te zijn.
