Why You Should Pick Up Dog Poop Before Mowing

Mowing the lawn is a routine task for many homeowners, but if you have dogs, there is one more job to do first: pick up their waste. Running a mower through dog poop turns a small cleanup into a much messier one.

Pick Up Before You Mow

Walk the yard before starting the mower. Check the areas your dogs use most, along fence lines and around shrubs. Long grass can make a pile easy to miss, so take a second look where your view is blocked.

Mowing over waste can smear it across the lawn and leave a mess on the mower. Picking it up first is more pleasant than dealing with it afterward. If equipment needs cleaning, turn it off and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before doing any maintenance.

Keep Waste Out of Play Areas

Dog waste can carry germs. The CDC recommends picking it up in your own yard too, especially where children play. A freshly cut lawn is not a substitute for waste removal.

Take a final look before bringing out toys, setting up lawn games or letting the family use the space. Put cleanup tools away from play equipment when you finish.

Dispose of It, Rather Than Spreading It Around

Rain can carry pet waste into waterways, as the EPA explains in its pet-waste guidance. Collect the waste in a suitable bag and use the disposal method accepted by your local waste provider. Do not leave filled bags beside the fence or on a trail.

Make Cleanup Part of the Mowing Routine

• Keep bags or a scooper where you can find them.
• Check the yard before every mowing session, even if someone cleaned it recently.
• Agree on who handles pickup if lawn care and pet care are shared chores.
• If you use a lawn service, let them know whether the yard has been checked.

If keeping up with the yard is becoming difficult, ask Pup Poop Scoopers about pet waste removal. A little planning before mowing means less mess to tackle later.