Dog pooping in water

When taking dogs to play in the water, we have a responsibility as pet owners to make sure we are having them do so responsibly. What may seem as simple and trivial as allowing our dog to poop in or near waterways without cleaning it up can have unseen consequences for us and others.

It is important to remember responsible pet ownership when you are taking your dogs to areas with water. Not only is it responsible and respectful to clean up after your pet, but it helps to keep waterways both safe and pet friendly. The more we clean up after our pet and do not cause increased pollution, the more pet friendly things that may be considered.

How And Why Do Dogs Poop Underwater?

Currently, there is not a large amount of research regarding dogs pooping underwater. It can be just something that occurs as dogs are swimming and be as simple as how they poop on land. There are no solid theories on why they do this except potentially just the convenience or the fact that they needed to use that bathroom and were not walked enough before they got in the water to play.

Why Is My Dog Pooping In The Water [Pool, Lake, Ocean]?

Pooping in water can stem from everything from needing to use that bathroom to a behavior. For a constipated dog, they may even be more comfortable pooping in the water instead of pushing themselves to use that bathroom on land. Dogs may be using the bathroom just because they did not get enough time on land beforehand to properly use that bathroom.

Why Does My Dog Poop In The Water At The Beach?

Dogs can poop in the water at the beach for a variety of reasons, which may be as simple as they just needed to go. Be careful to try to restroom your dog before allowing them to go in the water as it is often hard to catch and remedy dogs pooping in the water once it occurs. Also, be mindful that some dogs simply do not want to use that bathroom due to there being sand and try taking them to grass to see if it helps.

What Do You Do When Your Dog Poops In Water?

The most important action when your dog poops in the water is to remove it as quickly as possible if you can. Feces in the water breaking down can present a variety of concerns for others in the water. An excess of feces can lead to risk of bacteria and it also can cause an unpleasant experience for others in the water.

Is It Normal To Let Your Dog Poop In The Pool?

It is not considered “normal” to allow pets to poop in a pool as you because it can be harmful to anyone in the water. Poop generally contains bacteria that can be harmful to humans and the water supply. There are 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which is the carrier of e.coli, in 1 single gram of dog waste, therefore dog feces in water carries a potential for harm.

What Do You Do If Your Dog Poops In The Pool?

If your dog poops in the pool you should react as you would if your dog were to poop in someone’s yard or the sidewalk and remove it. You should also remove your dog and encourage them to go to the bathroom outside of the pool. It is important you find a corrective behavior that works for you and your dog to let them know it is not acceptable behavior.

What Do You Do If Your Dog Poops In The Water [Pool, Lake, Ocean]?

If your dog poops in the water it is best to remove it, if possible, with a dog poop bag. Removing poop may be inconvenient but it can help protect the water ways and encourage pet inclusion. This can easily be done in a pool but larger bodies of water may present a problem. If you see this behavior, remove your dog and try to correct the problem. Also take care to be a responsible owner to others nearby who may be downstream.

Can Dog Feces Seep Into My Well Water?

Dog feces seeping into well water can be a concern in some cases based on the set up of the well. Theoretically, if poop is left on the ground it can be washed away and that is when it is able to enter waterways, storm drains, streams, etc., which will allow it to enter a water supply. There is always the concern that the bacteria may enter ground water by leaching through soil, but this will depend on how shallow the well is and the protection around the water source.

Does Dog Poop Disintegrate In Water?

Dog poop does disintegrate in water, which is one of the main concerns. When it disintegrates, that is when it breaks down and the concern for breakdown of bacteria arises.

Is It Safe To Fish In A Pond Or Lake That Has Dog Poop In It?

It can be considered unsafe to fish in water that has been contaminated with dog feces because of the impact it has on the fish. Dog poop contains in the water will eventually break down and this often leads to problems with the algae including overgrowth and growth of toxic algae. Overgrowth causes a toxic environment for fish and can put them at risk for sickness or even death. In areas where HAB, or Harmful Algae Bloom, occur due to poop breaking down it causes the water to be unsafe for consumption.

Why Can’t You Flush A Dog Poop Down The Toilet?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, it is safe to flush dog poop down a toilet. The concern comes if it is in a bag or another material not approved for flushing as these items can cause various issues. It is considered safer to flush dog poop down the toilet than to leave it on the ground because worms and other diseases could end up on it and potentially in the water supply.

References

http://www.chesapeakebay.net

http://www.brookvilleohio.com

http://www.nacwa.org

Dog pooping in water