What Pet Waste Can Do to Your Family: Health Risks Every Parent Should Know

Your yard is where your kids play. It's where they run barefoot, roll in the grass, and dig in the dirt. So it's worth knowing this: dog waste left in the yard can make people sick too, not just dogs. And children are the most at risk.

Here's what the science says. And here's how you can protect the people you love.

Why Kids Are Most at Risk

Young kids play close to the ground. They dig in dirt. They put their hands in their mouths. That's exactly how germs from dog waste get into their bodies.

Here's the part that surprises most parents. The germs don't need fresh waste to spread. The eggs left behind can live in the soil for months. Sometimes even years. The CDC says roundworm eggs have a tough shell that lets them survive a long time in the yard. So a spot that looks clean can still hold a risk.

Let's look at the two biggest threats to your family.

Roundworm (Also Called "Dog Roundworm")

This is one of the most common infections people can catch from animals. The CDC says people get it by accidentally swallowing roundworm eggs from dirt or unwashed hands. The eggs come from dog and cat waste. Kids are the most likely to get it. That's because they play in the dirt and touch their mouths.

Here's why it matters so much. In a dog, roundworms stay in the gut. But in a person, they don't. The AVMA says the young worms travel to other parts of the body. They can reach the liver, the lungs, the eyes, even the brain.

Most people who get infected never feel sick. But some do. The CDC says the parasite can get into the eyes. When that happens, it can cause swelling, damage to the eye, and even vision loss. Young children are the ones most often hurt this way.

It sounds scary because it is. But it's also very preventable. Cleaning up waste right away is one of the best ways to stop it.

Hookworm (And The Itchy Rash it Causes)

Hookworm spreads in a different way, and it doesn't need to be swallowed. The CDC says hookworm larvae live in soil that has touched dog waste. When bare skin touches that soil, the tiny larvae burrow right in.

This often happens when someone walks barefoot or sits on the ground. Think about how often kids do both. The larvae dig into the skin and leave red, itchy tracks. The CDC says these tracks can spread a little farther across the skin each day. It's very itchy and very uncomfortable.

The good news is the same as before. Keep waste out of the yard, and you take away the soil where these larvae grow.

The Germs You Can't See

Waste doesn't only affect the grass. When a dog goes near a patio, pool deck, or walkway, germs can be left on those hard surfaces. Those are the same spots where your family walks, sits, and plays.

We can help with that too. As part of our Signature service, we spray an EPA-registered cleaner on hard surfaces where waste was found. It's safe for people and pets and leaves no harmful residue. It simply helps stop germs from spreading where your family spends time.

What This Means For You

We're not telling you this to scare you. We're telling you because a little knowledge goes a long way, and the fix is simple.

The best way to protect your family is to keep the yard clean. Not once in a while, but all the time. Pick up waste right away, before the germs it leaves behind have time to spread. Wash hands after playing outside. And keep shoes on in areas where dogs go.

That last part is where we come in. At Doozy, we clean 100% of the waste we find on every visit. We keep your yard on a regular schedule, so waste never sits long enough to become a danger. And we treat your yard like it's our own family playing in it, because that's how it should be done.

Want a cleaner, safer yard for your family? Get your free quote today.

This guide is for general learning and is not medical advice. If you're worried about your family's health, talk to your doctor. Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org).