Dog feces and urine seem like things that only offend your nose and eyes. The truth is that the problem that these bring goes deeper than you think.
There’s a reason why governments and responsible pet owners are always telling you to pick up after your dog.
Can You Get sick By Breathing Dog Urine/Feces?
Dog urine and feces carry bacteria and germs. If left uncleaned, these contaminants can mix with the air you breathe. It does without saying that this could result in serious complications for you and your family.
If there are other pets in the house, then they can be at risk of getting infected too.
Although it’s not very often that this happens, getting sick from breathing dog urine and feces is always a possibility. As such, you need to pick up after your dog whether it’s in the house or outside it.
Short answer – yes. You can get sick from breathing in dog urine/feces. This might sound weird when you think about it but it doesn’t literally mean breathing in poop and pee. There’s a science as to why you can get sick from it.
What Diseases Can You Get From Dog Urine/Feces?
There are a lot of things you can catch from dog urine and feces. Some of these you get directly from breathing in the contaminants. Other diseases you get when bacteria and germs contaminate your water or food.
Here are a few dreaded diseases to look out for:
- Histoplasmosis – This is a fungal infection that can be found in soil contaminated by bat, bird, and dog feces. Fungal spores from the feces become airborne which makes it easy to breathe. This infection causes chest pain, fever, fatigue, and more.
- Cryptococcosis – This is another fungal infection that’s found in contaminated soil, tree bark, and dog feces. It’s spread similarly to histoplasmosis. It can affect the respiratory and nervous systems.
Beyond these, there’s also leptospirosis, toxocariasis salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, and more. However, these aren’t what you get through breathing. These are acquired when fecal and urinary matter from your pets contaminate your food and water, even in small amounts.
How To Clean Dog Poop Properly
Let’s talk about the messy process of picking up your dog inside and outside the house first. The job may be dirty but it HAS to be done.
4 Steps To Clean Dog Poop Properly
- Wear disposable gloves so that none of the poop comes into contact with you directly.
- Pick up the dog poop using a scooper or a plastic bag. Some plastic bags are intended for dog poop and can be sealed easily. In other cases, throw away the poop and seal it in a separate bag.
- Thoroughly inspect the area to check if there is any residue on the floor. If there are some, use a disinfectant and some wet wipes to completely rid the floor of it.
- Use a mop and a disinfectant to clean the floor even further.
Cleaning outside is the same but there’s no need to disinfect the surface if your dog does the deed on the grass.
It’s worth noting that you need to dispose of the waste in accordance with local regulations in some areas. Familiarize yourself with these so that others stay healthy too.
Read More About: How To Get Rid Of Dog Poop In Yard
How To Clean Dog Urine Properly
Dog urine is a little harder to clean inside the house but it’s still possible. Here’s how:
5 Steps To Clean Dog Urine Properly
- Place an absorbent cloth or paper towel on the urine as soon as possible. This will prevent the urine from seeping through the surface, especially on wooden floors.
- Use a mild detergent or an enzymatic cleaner for pets to clean the affected area thoroughly.
- Rinse the area with water to remove the cleaning ingredient that you used. Some of these could be toxic to dogs. We highly suggest buying cleaning agents which are formulated for pets.
- Dispose of the towels in accordance with local regulations.
- If there’s any clothing that comes into contact with the urine, make sure to wash these as soon as you can.
More Reminders To Stay Disease-Free From Dog Urine/Feces
Cleaning up after your dog is just step one of keeping clean and healthy inside the house. The tips below might sound like a lot of work but trust us, they’re going to benefit you in the long run.
1Always Wash Your Hands Properly
It goes without saying that washing your hands properly is a must. Even if you clean the feces and urine properly, you can still contaminate other things around you if your hands aren’t clean.
When taking your dog outside, make sure that you’re always prepared with disinfectant wipes and alcohol.
2Set A Walking Schedule For Your Dog
It’s no longer a secret that dogs love going on walks. If doing it regularly prevents your dog from dirtying up the inside of your home, then you’re going to love walks as much as them.
Ideally, you should walk your dog at least twice a day for 30 minutes each. You should try taking them out at the same time each day. Eventually, your dog will grow accustomed to the schedule and will see going outside as the proper time to poop and pee.
It’s much easier to clean up after your dog outside than it is inside the house.
3Do Not Use Ammonia-Based Cleaners
When dogs urinate in a specific area, they’re going to do it again and again because they smell it. If you’re cleaning up urine, don’t use any ammonia-based cleaners. The smell can further encourage your dog to pee in that area.
4Invest In The Right Tools For Cleaning
There are lots of amazing tools that will make cleaning easier. Poop scoops, disinfectant wipes for pets, pet-safe detergent, etc. – are all great products to invest in. Not only are you making cleaning easier. You’re able to clean more thoroughly with these as well.
5Avoid Dog Pee On Wooden Surfaces
Don’t make it a habit for your dog to poop or pee on wooden surfaces. While it might look clean, bacteria, germs, and urine can seep into the wood. The moisture can even cause mold!
Cleaning up after your dog is a must. There are serious health (and legal) risks to ignoring that no. 2 your dog just made. It’s very easy to get sick from dog feces and urine. With proper cleaning and responsible pet ownership, you, your dog, and others around you will stay safe and healthy.
We’ve seen dogs that can cover towering walls. There are some dogs that can even fetch their owners a drink from the refrigerator. Dogs can be trained to do a lot of things but sadly, dogs can’t be taught to pick up after themselves after doing no. 1 or no. 2.
Dog feces and urine seem like things that only offend your nose and eyes. The truth is that the problem that these bring goes deeper than you think.
There’s a reason why governments and responsible pet owners are always telling you to pick up after your dog.
Final thoughts – a clean home is a happy home
Cleaning up after your pup is a must. Next time your pup does its business, make sure to grab those disinfectant wipes and grab the scoop! Can you get sick by breathing dog urine/feces? The answer is most definitely yes.
So, be responsible and keep yourself and your beloved furry friend safe from any illnesses caused by their excrement. After all, a clean home is a happy home.
