Dog Poop at the Beach: Why It Matters

The Scope of the Problem

Regarding coastal water contamination: Studies show pet waste is a leading source of bacteria at urban beaches.

Why Dog Waste Is Different from Wildlife Waste

Many people assume dog waste is "natural" and harmless. In reality, dogs eat processed food high in protein and additives, and their waste contains 2-3x the pathogen load of wild animal scat.

• Dogs carry parasites not found in local wildlife populations.
• Dog waste has higher nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations than cow or horse manure.
• Urban and suburban density means dog waste is concentrated in small areas.
• Dogs are medicated with antibiotics and other drugs that pass through waste into the environment.

The Numbers

What You Can Do

• Always pick up after your dog — in your yard, on walks, at parks, everywhere.
• Dispose of waste properly (trash, flush, or dedicated composter).
• Support local pet waste station programs in your community.
• Consider a professional pet waste removal service for consistent compliance.
• Educate fellow dog owners about the environmental impact of unmanaged waste.

Clean Paws makes it easy to be environmentally responsible by handling waste removal on a reliable schedule. Every yard we service is a yard that isn't contributing to the pollution problem.