Dog Dirt: Health Matters
Apart from making places unpleasant for people, dog dirt can be harmful to humans. There is no risk to your health or that of anyone else if you clean up after your dog immediately.
The greatest risk from dog dirt is toxocariasis. Toxocariasis is an infection of the round worm Toxocara canis. It is a disease which can be spread from animals to humans via unwashed vegetables and dog fouling. It can cause stomach upsets, headaches and sore throats. In some cases it can result in eye damage.
Young children in particular are at risk due to their weaker immune systems and because as they play, they are more likely to get dog dirt on their hands and so into their mouth.
The risk of infection can be greatly reduced by ensuring that children wash their hands before eating and after handling dogs or playing outside.
Toxocara eggs are not infectious immediately. It takes two to three weeks after they have been deposited by a dog that they become infectious. Therefore you can safely clean up immediately after your dog.
Worming your dog
You can help prevent the spread of Toxocara canis (T canis) by worming your dog regularly.
The T canis worm uses the bodies of dogs to lay its eggs, which are then passed through the dog’s faeces. The eggs become infectious two to three weeks after being deposited by the dog and can survive for up to two years in the local environment. T canis is more commonly found in puppies, although it is estimated that 10-40 per cent of adult dogs also harbour the worm.
Worming tablets are a cheap and easy method of ensuring that your dog does not provide a home for T canis. Consult your vet to ensure that you are giving your dog the correct worming programme.
Contact our Cleansing Service or call us on 0300 100 1800
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Dog Fouling: there's no excuse. BAG it, TIE it, BIN it
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Dog Fouling and the law: things you should know
Dog Fouling: You and the Law leaflet
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