Because you asked, let’s talk about dog poop.
Hi, I’m Cher, a guest blogger for today. I am the human
caregiver of two large dogs and the resident dog-lover in the office where
Michelle and I both work.
It’s not a pleasant topic, but one that comes up often. What
to do with all that dog poop? We are often asked whether dog feces can be added to backyard compost.
The quick and dirty answer is, no.
I hate waste and it always bothers me to throw anything away
– including dog feces. But what bothers me more is the possibility of polluting
ground water, spreading diseases and parasites to other dogs, and introducing
harmful pathogens to my garden. These are all possibilities if dog feces are
added to your backyard compost.
Your backyard compost bin/pile would need to reach certain
temperatures to ensure harmful pathogens are killed, and these temperatures are
difficult to obtain and maintain.
A quick Google search on “composting dog feces” will provide
you with amateur advice and products to do so. I am not a scientist, and do not
feel comfortable endorsing any non-scientific advice. So after my research, and
careful consideration, I still say don’t do it. It's not worth the risk.
My best advice is to do your part to reduce dog feces by
getting your furry friend spayed or neutered. (Fewer dogs = less poop!)