Dog poop in the compost pile?

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Permalink Reply by John Walker on February 27, 2009 at 8:56am

I believe it is because of the potential of parasites (protozoa and small worms) to be maintained in the pile (the same goes for cats poo. Toxoplasma gondii, a tissue and intestinal parasite of cats, can have devastating affects if transmitted to women during pregnancy)
There may be some who say if a pile gets hot enough it doesn't matter, since the high temp will kill potential infectious agents.
It is also why humanure (a portmanteau word) is not recommended.
However I am sure that there is animal poo in my compost in addition to worm poo.
I guess what you don't know can't hurt you.

Until the USDA/FDA/etc etc recommend using pet poo from parasite ridden carnivorous felines or canines I wouldn't.
HTH
pax
John

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Permalink Reply by herries on May 13, 2009 at 11:44am

correct me if i'm wrong
u can indeed use dog poo in compost, but to destroy the germs it has to be hot

how hot does it have to be?

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Permalink Reply by Maya on February 27, 2009 at 9:14am

It's also because prions aren't yet fully understood, and traditionally 'downer' cattle and sheep and slaughterhouse waste have been used for animal feed. It is thought that prions can live on even through digestion, heat, and time. I don't know about you, but it makes my stomach churn just thinking about it (but I try not to get too paranoid...)

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on February 27, 2009 at 9:34am

I thought it had something to do with attracting bugs or something. Thanks for all the info. I won't be 'recycling' that poop then! As often as I get pregnant (haha), I certainly don't need the potential infectious stuff. Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Bocchino on February 27, 2009 at 10:14am

You can compost it but just use it on you non edibles. I have a large commercial mower that throes all the grass clippings into a hard box on the back. I usually cut my lawn avoiding all the dog poo, which is usually easy because my dog poos in the same area. After I am finished mowing my lawn I will run over the areas that have the poo on them and put all those clipping and poo in a seperate pile. You can add septic starter to this pile since there is poo in it which is just bacteria and enzymes to help it get a jump start, water it down a bit after you add the starter. Once it decomposes you can spread it on any onamentals that you have just not on your veggies................Chris

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on February 27, 2009 at 10:25am

I'll use it for my hummingbird garden then. At least the hummingbirds will have very fertilized plants as we have large amounts of poop, lol.

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Permalink Reply by Warren on February 27, 2009 at 11:09am

I have seen folks use the poo to fill holes and depressions in the yard with very good results.
Before too long the grass grows over it, or just put a chunk of grass weed from the garden on it to get it started growing.
Amazingly, it doesn't seem to be too strong. It seems the pee is what burns the grass.
If your dogs are digging, here's the filler.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on February 27, 2009 at 11:24am

I don't have grass, only tiny pebbles for a lawn, and an empty lot next door full of sand and clay (where my garden is). Easy maintenance for beach living! I wonder if my neighbors could use it. They have grass. Thanks for the tip! I wonder if grass seed poured directly on it would grow well.....

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Permalink Reply by Warren on February 27, 2009 at 11:44am

I wouldn't waste the seed.
Just a bit of garden weed grass on top would be fine. Maybe with a bit of dirt still on the roots - for fun.

I can picture the headlines now - "Neighborhood Yard Depressions and Holes Mysteriously Disappearing!"
Or maybe, "Strange, Neighborhood Dogs All Poop In Holes."

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on February 27, 2009 at 11:46am

LOL!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Michael C. Ford on March 3, 2009 at 2:47pm

I have used my dogs' poop in my composter for 20 years. We are vegetarians and our dogs eat a strictly vegetarian diet as well, both bought vegetarian dog food and some of our food as well. I believe that's why their poop is safe since they are not eating the toxic products often included in regular commercial dog food. I use the compost on our tomatoes and squash, with no problems that I can see. I also like to start larger seeds in pots where I put a little piece of dog poop near the bottom of the pot, with regular potting soil over it. I find it gives a boost to the young plants when their roots reach down to it and the poop is never identifiable by the time I plant the resultant young plant.

I think toxoplasmosis is only from cat poop, not dog poop, but I could be wrong.

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Permalink Reply by Connie Jo Gandy on May 13, 2009 at 1:29pm

I have a separate compost for the dog doodie. It is burried, has holes in the bottom, cannot leech into anyplace I visit or grow things, and has a cover. It just never fills up. I cannot imagine adding poop of any kind to my compost. As far as worm castings, they are actually the equivalent of kidney secretions, which is why they are so clean. If your kid(s) were ever going to play in the garden, I would think twice, as poop will be practically everywhere.
Connie

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