The short answer
Dogs can carry a common roundworm called Toxocara canis. Infected dogs pass microscopic eggs in their stool, and once that stool is left on the ground the eggs can end up in the surrounding soil. It isn't something to panic about, but it's a good reason to pick up after your dog regularly.
What the research says
Public-health information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes how Toxocara eggs are shed in the feces of infected dogs (and cats) and can then contaminate soil. People — most often young children — can be exposed by accidentally swallowing small amounts of contaminated soil while playing outdoors.
Most exposures cause no symptoms at all. In less common cases, the infection can affect the eyes or other tissues, which is why health agencies treat it as a preventable concern rather than a rare curiosity.
What this means for dog owners
It doesn't mean your yard is unsafe. It does mean the longer dog waste sits on the grass, the more opportunity there is for eggs to work into the soil where they can persist. That's especially worth thinking about if children play in the yard, if you garden, or if you have more than one dog.
The good news is that this is one of the easier things to manage — routine cleanup and normal veterinary care go a long way.
What you can do
- Pick up dog waste from your yard on a regular schedule — weekly at minimum, more often for multi-dog households.
- Bag waste and put it in the household garbage. Don't add it to backyard compost.
- Keep up with routine deworming and vet check-ups as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Wash hands after gardening, yard work or playing outside — and encourage kids to do the same.
Sources & further reading
This article summarizes publicly available information in our own words. For the full public-health guidance, please read the original source directly.
Scoop I Do is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the CDC. Links are provided for educational reference only and should not be treated as medical or veterinary advice.