Pet Waste Disposal - Toss or Compost

Fido’s poo has a new home.

Dog Waste Compost Lid

I have 3 doggies and there are times when I feel like I am up-to-my-neck in doggie poo poo. At the rear of my backyard, I have a little plastic garbage container lined with a plastic bag and a handy, dandy pooper scooper that helps keep my yard clear of the daily doggy presents.

There are a couple of products on the web that compost dog feces. I have never tried any of these products but the idea is eco-friendly.

Free Way to Make Your Own Pet Waste Disposal Compost Unit

Here is a way to make your own pet waste compost bin, but this is not for the squeamish:

1. Use and old garbage can (my guess is metal is better but use what you have) and drill a dozen or so holes in the sides.   The size of the can will depend on how many dogs or cats you have.
2. Cut out and remove the bottom
3. Find an out-of-the-way area to dig a hole deep enough in the ground for the garbage can. Don’t dig near tree roots or they might grow into your container.
4. Put some rocks or gravel in the hole for drainage. Position the can a little higher than soil level so that you can put a lid on it (believe me you will need it!)
5. Test the drainage by adding water to your container to see if your contents will drain well. You don’t want to fill it up, only to discover that it is not draining properly and you have a bucket full of poo soup.
6. Decorate your lid and label it so everyone knows what it’s for.
7. When adding poop into the container sprinkle in septic starter (get from hardware stores) and add some water.
8. Wait about 48 hours for the septic tank starter to start breaking down the wastes.
9. Add a bucket of water once a week and a packet of septic starter once or twice a month. What you will be left with will be a liquid which most of which will wash into the soil (that is why it is important to test drainage before filling it up with dog waste). What remains is a humus which should only need to be collected once every two or three years.

Okay, sounds good but in the heat of the summer – I wonder what this wonderful pile of poo will smell like?

At the City Farmer you can read about other pet owner’s experiences with composting pet waste. Search for the topic under, dog waste composter.

The CDC has information on the diseases that dogs and cats carry:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/animals/dogs.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/animals/cats.htm

Pet Waste Disposal Tips

Here are some tips on waste disposal and composting:

• NEVER compost pure animal waste in your garden, lawn or in your food waste compost bin. Even the high temperatures that compost bins can reach may not be enough to kill off pathogens and parasites contained in animal waste.
• Do not flush kitty litter – it can clog pipes. Flush only feces.
• Even if you use a more eco-friendly biodegradable pet litter that contains corn, pine, or newspaper, the pet waste still poses a threat to health. While the litter may break down over time, the pet feces will linger and pose a health threat from pathogens and parasites.
• If you don’t want to compost pet waste - use biodegradable pet waste bags.
• Teach your kitty how to use the toilet – yes it can be done. But what happens if Mr. Kitty is using the john and you have to go?

So to compost or not to compost, that is the question. Tell us your thoughts about the subject.