Dog poop and kids: keeping the backyard safe to play in

Kids play low: hands in the grass, knees in the dirt, fingers in mouths. That's exactly why dog poop matters more for them than for you. Here's what the CDC says about the risk, and a routine that keeps the backyard ready for play.

Is dog poop dangerous for kids?

It can be, mostly because of how kids play. The CDC says children under 5 are more likely to get sick from germs animals carry. They often touch surfaces that may have animal poop on them, they put their hands in their mouths, and their immune systems are still developing. Its advice for dog owners is to pick up dog poop even in your own yard, and especially where children may play.

Dog poop can carry roundworm, hookworm, and bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella. Young kids show up on the CDC's higher-risk lists for both of those bacteria: children under 5 for Campylobacter, and children under 5, especially babies under 1, for Salmonella. Our guide to germs in dog poop covers each one. In a backyard, the one parents should know by name is roundworm.

What is toxocariasis, and how do kids get it?

Toxocariasis is an infection with dog or cat roundworm. Kids get it by swallowing the eggs, usually from dirt or unwashed hands (CDC). The eggs need 2 to 4 weeks on the ground to become infective, then can survive for months or even years.

An older CDC guide for pet owners says worm eggs and larvae can survive for weeks and even years in parks, playgrounds and yards. It adds that children are more vulnerable than adults because they play on the ground, may put dirty objects in their mouths, and sometimes even eat dirt.

Many infected people never feel sick. But the CDC says severe cases are more likely in young children who have been playing in or eating contaminated dirt. Symptoms can include fever, cough, wheezing and belly pain. When the parasite gets into an eye, a child may have a red or irritated eye, see spots or flashes, or lose vision, typically in just one eye. A 2014 CDC fact sheet estimated that at least 70 people in the U.S. are blinded by the parasite each year, most of them children.

How often should you scoop a yard where kids play?

Every time your dog goes, if you can. The CDC says pet waste should be picked up daily, and the Companion Animal Parasite Council, a group of veterinary parasite experts, also advises picking up the yard daily. Life gets busy, so build the routine in layers:

That full-yard sweep is our job. Poopy Scoops walks the whole yard in a grid (corners, mulch beds, the fence line), double-bags everything into your outdoor trash can, and texts a gate-check photo when we're done. Twice-a-week service for one dog on a yard up to ¼ acre is $16 a visit, about $139 a month, and weekly is $19 a visit. We don't replace your every-time pickup; we catch everything in between. Get your price in about 30 seconds, and after a long winter, a spring cleanup resets the lawn.

How do you keep sandboxes and play areas safe?

Keep dogs, and their poop, out of them. That older CDC guide says to keep play areas, lawns and gardens free of animal feces, and to cover sandboxes when they're not in use. Hookworm larvae live in soil and sand contaminated with feces and can burrow into bare skin, so the CDC also recommends wearing shoes.

• Cover the sandbox every time play ends.
• Give the dog its own spot. The EPA describes "pooch patches" in parks, where dogs are encouraged to go in one place so cleanup is easy. Pick a corner far from the swing set and walk your dog there on a leash until it becomes a habit.
• Fence off the play zone if your yard allows it.
• Keep shoes on in the yard, especially on little ones.
• Keep dog waste out of the garden and the compost pile. Here's why it isn't fertilizer.

Local parks take the same approach. In Warren, city code keeps leashed dogs off park playgrounds and sports fields (Sec. 23-16), and Lake St. Clair Metropark doesn't allow dogs on its playgrounds or beach. Rules change, so check the posted signs.

How should kids wash their hands after playing outside?

With soap and running water, every time they come in. The CDC counts touching an animal or animal waste among the key times to wash, and its steps are simple: wet, lather, scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse and dry. For children under 5, the CDC says an adult should supervise.

Hand sanitizer is a backup, not a substitute. The CDC notes it may not work as well when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, which describes most kids after an hour in the yard. And teach the rule the CDC puts plainly: eating dirt is dangerous.

What if your child touches dog poop?

Don't panic, and head straight for the sink. Wash with soap and running water, lathering the backs of the hands, between the fingers and under the nails, as the CDC's steps spell out. Swap out any messy clothes or shoes, then wash again, since the CDC's hygiene advice includes washing up after removing soiled clothes or shoes. If your child gets sick afterward, call the doctor and mention what happened.

What else keeps kids safe around the family dog?

• Keep up with the vet. The CDC recommends having a veterinarian test and treat dogs for worms, especially young dogs and dogs that spend time outdoors. Puppies usually get roundworm from their mother, so a new puppy needs an early start. Ask your vet for a schedule.
• Supervise young kids with the dog, even a trusted family pet, as the CDC advises.
• Skip the face licks. The CDC's advice on preventing Campylobacter from puppies includes not letting dogs lick around your mouth and face.

What belongs on a kid-safe backyard checklist?

• Pick up dog poop every time, or at least daily.
• Sweep the whole yard at least weekly, and twice a week when kids play there.
• Cover the sandbox when play ends.
• Keep the dog's potty spot away from play areas.
• Keep shoes on in the yard.
• Wash hands with soap and water after outdoor play and before snacks.
• Keep dog waste out of the garden and the compost.
• Keep up with vet checkups and deworming.
• Do a full cleanup after the snow melts and before parties.
• Call the doctor if a child gets sick after contact with dirt or dog poop.