Responsible Use of Medicines in Pets:

what to do with all the poo!

Responsible pet owners make sure their pet’s waste products are disposed of correctly. This helps to prevent transmission of parasites and diseases, both to people and other animals.

Dog and cat poo (and cat litter) should be bagged and disposed of in your regular domestic waste bin (or a special dog waste bin).
Dog and cat faeces can contain worm eggs and other parasites, bacteria, viruses and sometimes traces of any drugs that the animal has been given.
Dog and cat poo generally should not be composted or recycled. Domestic composting cannot reliably kill parasite eggs, bacteria or viruses. This is especially important if the compost is then used on ground growing fruit or vegetables.
Always pick up your dog’s poo, even if walking in rural areas off the path. “Stick and flick” – moving dog faeces off the path into the bushes – is not appropriate. Dog poo can pass parasites on to farm and wild animals. Take the bag with you until you find a suitable bin – leaving bagged dog poo hanging on a fence or a tree is unsightly and also dangerous for animals.
Don’t flush dog and cat faeces down the loo. Wastewater treatment is not designed to deal with animal faeces and the organisms it may carry. Traces of cat litter can cause blockages and other problems.
Cats with outside access may be toileting in your own garden or other people’s. This is a potential risk to humans and other animals, as the poo may contain worm eggs, other organisms or traces of medicines. Consider providing a toileting area in your own garden and encouraging your cats to use it, so you can dispose of faeces safely.

For further information: