How To Compost Dog Poop: The Ultimate Beginners Guide

If you’ve been looking for the most eco-friendly way to dispose of dog poop you may have heard that you can compost dog poop. If you’re new to composting the idea of composting your dog’s poop can seem rather daunting and you probably have a lot of questions.

Where do you start? How do you do it? What do you need? What if it goes wrong?  

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Our ultimate beginners guide covers everything you need to know about how to compost dog poop, step-by-step. 

is composting the best way to dispose of dog poop?

Composting dog poop is by far the most eco-friendly way to dispose of your furry friend’s waste. It stops dog waste from going to landfill, reduces poop bag usage, stops soil and water contamination from pathogens and parasites often found in dog waste, and removes excess nutrients from the environment. There really isn’t a better way to reduce your dog’s carbon pawprint. 

What is composting? 

Composting is the natural, aerobic (with oxygen) process of breaking down organic matter under controlled conditions into a nutrient-rich fertiliser known as humus. Dog waste is a natural material that can be composted safely in a well-maintained compost. A compost pile can achieve temperatures of 71˚C (160˚F), sufficient enough to kill pathogens and parasites that can potentially be lurking in dog waste. 

Equipment and things you need 

Composting doesn’t require many supplies but there are a few essentials. To begin you will need a supply of carbon-rich material (often referred to as ‘Browns’) and a supply of nitrogen-rich materials (often referred to as ‘Greens’). 

• Carbon-rich materials (Browns): 
  • Fallen leaves 
  • Sawdust  
  • Woodchips  
  • Hay or Straw 
  • Shredded newspaper 

* Note: Dog waste has 40% more nitrogen than cattle manure. Due to this high nitrogen content, sawdust is regarded as the most efficient ‘Brown’ material as it’s highly rich in carbon. This doesn’t mean you have to use sawdust; you can just use what you have available. 

• Nitrogen-rich materials (Greens): 
  • Dog poop
  • Grass clippings  
  • Vegetable peelings 

*Note: The smaller the composting material the greater the surface area, resulting in a hotter compost that progresses faster. 

Composting Ratios vs Parts 

This can be a very confusing topic, so it’s best we get this bit out of the way. You may have read the best ratio for composting is 30 carbon to 1 nitrogen. And then maybe somewhere else read you need 2 parts nitrogen to 1 part carbon. This can have you scratching your head, completely confused. 

When I first started learning how to compost dog poop, this baffled me. Different resources used different terminology, which can be very frustrating for a composting newbie.

Simply put, ratio refers to the chemical composition of a material, not the amount you need to add. Each material has a different chemical composition and therefore a different carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.  As a general rule, you can achieve the recommended 30:1 ratio by adding 2 parts nitrogen-rich material to 1 part carbon-rich material.

You may be thinking, but what is a ‘part’?  A part is the quantity of a material. It may help to think of it in recipe terms, such as 2 cups nitrogen to 1 cup carbon. It helps to use the same measuring tool each time, whether that be a shovel, trowel, or bucket. 

Example: 2 shovels nitrogen (dog waste) to 1 shovel carbon (e.g., sawdust).

Ultimately, it’s a balancing act. Remember we are dealing with natural materials and it’s in their nature to vary. Start with 2-parts nitrogen to 1-part carbon and see how you get on, depending on the materials you are using you may find you need to alter this slightly. 

Composting Methods 

There are two methods that you can choose between to build your compost, the add-as-you-go method or the batch pile method. 

The add-as-you-go method involves (you guessed it) adding as you go. Add carbon materials to the compost as and when you collect dog waste, mixing them together as it’s put into the compost bin. While slower in decomposition, adding as you go is easier and produces very little odour.

Alternatively, you can opt for the batch pile method. Collect carbon materials and dog waste and store them separately. Once you have enough of both carbon and nitrogen materials add them all at once to the compost, mixing as you go. This produces a hotter compost and faster results; however, having a bucket of dog poop sitting around waiting to be composted could get a bit stinky. 

Step-by-step: How to compost dog poop

• First, you will need to choose a site for your compost bin. Choose a dry, sunny area, away from areas where children play, vegetable gardens, and any water sources.  
• Next, add the carbon materials and the dog waste (or nitrogen materials), remembering to keep to 2 parts nitrogen to 1 carbon. 
• Mix thoroughly after each addition. 
• Next, add water. Do this a little at a time to avoid making the compost too wet. You want it to be moist, but not dripping wet. Think damp sponge.  
• Continue adding to the compost until the bin is full. 
• Once full, cover the compost mixture. This allows the microbes in the compost to start breaking down the compost materials.  
• As the microbes work a lot of heat is released and the temperature of the compost pile will increase. Within a few days, most piles will reach at least 54°C (130°F) and stay around that temperature for two to four days.
• If you are using a compost thermometer you can take regular readings of the compost’s core temperature. When the temperature begins to decline and drops below 40°C (104°F) it’s time to turn the pile. Or as a general rule, turn the pile every four to seven days. This will help maintain a hot pile.
• Turn the entire compost pile, turning from the outside to the inside. This helps to aerate the compost and ensure that all the material reaches the high temperatures needed to kill pathogens and parasites.
• Repeat the turning process each time the internal temperature of the compost drops. After several cycles, the compost will not heat up. This indicates that the composting process is complete and it’s time to cure the compost. 
• To cure your compost simply leave it to rest for one to four months, or even a year before using it. This will stabilise the pH and ensure that the decomposition process is complete. 

Composting Considerations

Temperature 

When composting dog waste temperature is a key factor. The microbial breakdown of organic materials produces heat. The amount of heat produced depends on the carbon the nitrogen ratio, the size of the compost pile, moisture levels, and how much aeration the pile has. Most composts will heat up within two to four days.

A compost degrades fastest at temperatures between 40-60°C/104-140°F (also known as the thermophilic stage). This can last for a few weeks to a few months depending on the size of the pile. This stage is very important as this is when the pathogens and parasites are potentially destroyed, and a safer compost is produced.

The compost core is the hottest part of the pile, so if you’re using a long-stemmed thermometer aim for the middle of the pile. You may want to keep a record of these temperatures. When the temperature begins to fall, it’s time to turn the pile. Take care to turn it from the outside into the centre. Turning helps to ensure all of the compost materials are heated through sufficiently.

Winter 

Composting is temperature sensitive. While you can continue composting into autumn, as the weather gets colder the declining temperatures prevent the microbes from working. This can lead to a build-up of dog poop and having to revert to other methods of waste disposal. However, if managed correctly, you can continue to add pet waste to your compost over winter, ready for the warmer temperatures of spring.  

Continue collecting poop as normal but add carbon materials directly to your dog waste collection receptacle. Mix the poop and carbon material and add directly to the compost bin. The compost will keep until temperatures rise in spring, at which time you can turn the pile and add water to activate composting.  

Keep your compost pile covered and avoid adding overly wet materials and any excess snow. Don’t allow your compost pile to grow too large. If your compost pile looks like it will exceed 5 feet across before spring, start a second pile.  

Maturing  

Compost maturity is very important. Unfinished or immature compost may contain pathogens and acids which can negatively impact plant life. When added to soil, immature compost continues to decay and uses up oxygen and nitrogen, depleting the availability of these nutrients for plant growth. 

Your compost is ready for curing when all the materials have degraded and the compost temperature no longer increases upon turning. Once the compost no longer heats up it can be left to cure. Allow at least a month for curing, but leave it for longer if you can. This gives the microbes that work at lower temperatures time to finish and refine your compost. Your compost is mature when it is dark, with a soft crumbly texture, and smells like a damp woodland.

Health Concerns

While researching how to compost dog poop you may have read about possible health concerns. There are several pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Yersinia, and E. Coli, and parasites that can be potential risks of composting dog waste, however, roundworm is one the most significant concern.  

Dogs are infected by roundworms when they inhale or swallow the eggs in contaminated soil or poop. The eggs then hatch in the intestines and the roundworm larvae migrate through the body, potentially causing respiratory issues, malnourishment, vomiting, and diarrhea. When the roundworms are mature they return to the intestines to lay eggs. The eggs are then shed in the dog’s poop, and the life cycle of the roundworm begins again.

Roundworms are a particular concern for pregnant or nursing females as they can pass it on to their unborn pups or via their milk. If left untreated roundworms can cause serious illness in puppies and can even cause death.

The parasites in dog poop can also infect other animals and impact human health. If humans are infected with roundworm, the worms can move around the body causing issues in the liver, lungs, and can even migrate to the eyes causing blindness. The pathogens in dog waste are also a potential source of infection to humans.

When dealing with compost containing dog waste extra care needs to be taken. With this in mind, there are a couple of do’s and don’ts that can help mitigate possible health risks. 

Doggy-doo do’s and doggy-doo don’ts 

Do 

• Always wear rubber gloves when dealing with dog waste 
• Always wash your hands after dealing with dog waste 
• Ensure dogs are wormed regularly 
• Keep dog waste in a specific area 
• Store dog waste composting tools separate from other garden tools 
• Keep animals, especially puppies and pregnant females, away from the composting area 

Don’t 

• Do not compost waste from dogs that are showing any sign of illness 
• Never add waste from unknown animals 
• Don’t use compost from dog waste for food crops 
• Don’t allow children to play in areas where compost from dog waste has recently been added. 

Potential Issues & Solutions 

Issue: Compost is not heating up or is heating up very slowly 

CAUSE	SOLUTION
Not enough nitrogen material	Add more nitrogen materials, such as dog waste
Moisture issue	Glove up and check your compost pile. Is it damp enough? If not, add more water. Conversely, the issue may be too much moisture, causing the pile to cool. If the pile seems to be particularly wet and more dry materials, turn the pile to aerate and cover.
Lack of oxygen	Turn the compost pile to aerate, and be sure to break up any clumps of materials that are stuck together

Issue: Compost too hot, temperatures in excess of 70°C (160°F) 

CAUSE	SOLUTION
Lack of moisture	Check the compost moisture level, if it’s too dry add more water.
Lack of oxygen	Turn compost to aerate and bring down the temperature.
Not enough carbon	Introduce more carbon materials to balance pile ratios.
The compost pile is too large	A compost pile should be large enough to generate enough heat but small enough to allow good air circulation. If the pile is too large try to divide it into smaller piles, add water and turn.

Issue: Bad odours 

CAUSE	SOLUTION
Too wet	If a compost pile is too wet it can easily become anaerobic, causing the pile to smell. Add more carbon materials and turn the pile to aerate.
Too compact	A tightly packed compost doesn’t allow proper aeration, causing a rotting smell. Turn the pile and consider adding some more ‘fluffy’ materials such as dry leaves.
Too much nitrogen	A compost pile giving off a strong ammonia smell indicates excess nitrogen. Mix in more carbon materials, such as straw or leaves, and turn thoroughly. Using a ‘fluffy’ carbo material will also help the ammonia smell to dissipate.

Issue: Pest Infestation 

CAUSE	SOLUTION
Uncovered fresh material near the surface can attract flies	Keep green materials covered, add more brown material, and mix.
Too dry or too much brown material can attract ants	Add water and turn pile.

Final Thoughts

I hope that you’ve found our how-to-compost dog poop guide helpful and that it has given you the confidence to give it a try. However, we know that this method of composting isn’t for everyone, whether it be for lack of time or space. While composting is regarded as the most eco-friendly way to dispose of dog waste, the key is to find the greenest method that works best for you and your pup. There are other ways that you can compost dog waste and you can read them here. Or, if want a complete overview of dog waste disposal methods you can read about those here.

Happy composting friends!