| Hygiene
Critter cleanup -
safe
and natural hygiene helpers
by
Charlotte Walker
<
Previous Page | Next
Page >
The
scoop on poop
 Stooping
and scooping is a daily routine for anyone
with a dog, especially in the growing
number of communities where picking up
after your pooch has become the law. It’s
also important for backyard hygiene, especially
if you have children. In the not-too-distant
past, you had to make do with used shopping
bags, but there are now all kinds of handy
products designed to streamline the pickup
process. They range from “pooper
scoopers” to special bags that won’t
split or leak the way ordinary plastic
often does.
When choosing a product, consider convenience
and ease of use as well as quality and
durability. Ask yourself where you’ll
be using the product most: does your dog
stay mainly in the backyard, or do you
often take him for long walks? If it’s
the latter, you’ll want something
that’s lightweight and easy to carry.
Scoopy Doo Doggy Poo Bags and Oops…I
Pooped are two examples of sturdy, biodegradable
bags  especially
designed for easy pickup and disposal.
They’re non-toxic, leak-free and
come in compact packets that fit conveniently
into a purse or fanny pack. The long handles
make them easy and hygienic to tie up
after use. And unlike plastic, the bags
are environmentally friendly and will
completely break down in landfill.
Another easy-to-carry product is Pet Zone’s
Pick-Up-Pack, which features a roll of
12 bags inside a small, neat pack that
clips to your belt or leash.
Pooper scoopers are great for yard use
and a boon to those who prefer hands-free
cleanup. Make sure you buy a good quality
product made from sturdy materials. The
Skoop-n-Pak by Pet Zone is a handheld
unit that allows you to transfer waste
from the ground into a bag without bringing
your hands near the poop — you fold
the bag around and inside the scoop, pick
up the waste and remove the bag by its
handles.
For those who find it difficult to bend,
products like the Skit Skooper allow you
to pick up waste from a standing position.
This long-handled pooper scooper works
on a similar principle to the Skoop-n-Pak
in that the bag is hooked around the jaws
of the scoop, offering you hands-free
pickup.
If you’re a gardener as well as
an animal lover, a new product from Eons
Down Under Wares gives you the option
of actually converting and composting
dog droppings for use on flower beds.
The Tumbleweed Pet Poo Converter, which
is about the size of a milk crate, uses
composting worms to turn animal waste
into castings. The process results in
a liquid runoff that creates a rich “compost
tea” fertilizer. “The bacteria
and odor are taken care of by the worms,”
says Lori Keenan, public relations representative.
Although not recommended for vegetable
gardens, the compost is ideal for flower
borders and houseplants
<
Previous Page | Next
Page >
Published
in the October/November 2003 issue of
Animal Wellness Magazine
|
