Dog Poop Disposal: The 5 Best at Home Systems

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Not everyone is green-fingered, but cutting the grass and sweeping the patio is a part of maintaining your garden. As is, scooping the poop! While some may think they don’t need to pick up the poop in their own garden, there are some very good reasosn why you should! And even though it’s never going to be anyone’s favourite job, it can be made a lot easier by having a proper dog poop disposal system in place. And we have all the details! But first, let’s look why you should pick up the poop in your garden.

Is It Better to Pick Up Dog Poop or Leave It? 

As a responsible pet parent, cleaning up after your dog is part of your job. However, when it comes to your own garden some may wonder whether it’s better to just leave it? In short, it’s always better to scoop the poop, and here’s why.

First and foremost, dog poop contains many pathogens and parasites, such as E. coli and roundworms, that are harmful to public health and can potentially make you or your family sick. By picking up your dog’s dog poop you’re protecting the health and safety of yourself and others. 

Dog poop contributes to water and soil contamination, impacting the environment and wild animal populations. Also, the high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in dog waste can kill your plants and damage your lawn, causing unsightly brown spots and even killing the grass if left untreated. It won’t take long before your beautiful garden isn’t so beautiful. 

Also, let’s be honest, dog poop stinks. While one or two poops won’t necessarily overwhelm the senses, if you avoid picking up for too long the buildup could create quite a potent pong in your garden. All that poop will make your garden rather unpleasant, and no one wants to go to a BBQ in a stinky garden. Also, the smell can easily impact your neighbours, preventing them from using and enjoying their outside spaces.  

While leaving dog poop may seem more convenient, it’s important to consider the health risks and the negative impact on the environment. Picking up dog poop shows respect for others and helps protect the environment. Additionally, picking up your dog’s poop is a small but important step in being a responsible, eco-conscious pet parent. 

Does dog poop attract rats? 

Yes, dog poop can attract rats. As horrible as it may sound, rats are attracted to the potent smell of dog poop because it’s a nutrient-rich food source for them. If dog poop is left in your garden, it can quickly become a serious pest control issue. Rats can pose a serious health risk, carrying a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals, such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and rat-bite fever. 

Once rats are attracted to an area, they may be hard to get rid of. Rats are known chewers and can chew through wiring and insulation, which can cause costly damage to your property. You may even find that they infest your home, likely requiring professional pest control to eliminate the problem. This can all be very costly and time-consuming. The best way to prevent rats from being attracted to dog poop is to pick it up promptly.  

Do you have to pick up dog poop in your own garden? 

Even though your garden is your own private area, it’s still important to pick up your dog’s poop. While you may feel like you don’t have to as your garden is private property, there is still one more very good reason why you may want to consider keeping your green space clear and poop free. 

There may be some legal obligations regarding dog poop in your garden even though it’s your private property. Depending on where you live, you may be legally required to clean up pet waste in your garden, especially if it impacts your neighbours. Failure to comply could even result in hefty fines. In the UK, there have been cases in Manchester, County Durham, and Wales of dog owners being taken to court and fined for not cleaning up the dog waste in their gardens after neighbours complained to local authorities. 

Our advice? Maintain your garden and scoop the poop. Keeping your garden poop free means you have a beautiful space to unwind and relax, and also avoid any potential legal issues or fines.

How often should you pick up dog poop in your garden? 

Dop poop is unsightly and unpleasant and while it is best to pick up the poop straight away, sometimes we can get caught up in another task and it can get missed or forgotten. How often you should pick up dog poop in your garden depends on several factors.

• Number of dogs: The more dogs you have, the more frequently you should pick up their poop. If you have one dog, you could get away with picking it up once or twice a week. If you have two or more dogs, you should aim to pick up their poop every day or at least every other day.  
• Garden size: The size of your garden will also affect how often you should pick up dog poop. If you have a small yard, picking up the poop daily can easily be maintained. If you have a larger garden, it may take more time to pick up all the poop, but you should still aim to do it at least once a week. Remember the longer you leave it, the worse it will be. 
• Weather Conditions: Rain and snow can make it more difficult to pick up dog poop, making it even more important to clean it up promptly. While you may not want to dash out in the rain, it really is the best option. 
• Health Concern: If anyone in your household has a weakened immune system, it’s important to pick up dog poop more frequently to reduce the risk of infection. Pregnant women, young children, and elderly individuals are also more susceptible to infection, so it’s better to be a little more cautious.  

Personally, I prefer to pick up straight away. That way I don’t miss anything, and any potential for contamination is removed right away. However, if you’re not one to loiter by the back door, waiting with poop scoop in hand, you may want to consider implementing a schedule or at the very least picking up the poop once a week. 

5 Best At Home Dog Poop Disposal Systems

Trying to maintain our gardens and dispose of your furry friend’s waste can be a challenging task. However, with the right equipment and methods, dog poop disposal can be made easy and even eco-friendly. So, here are the 5 best at home dog poop disposal systems to make life easier for both you and your pup. 

Dog Poop Disposal Container  

A garden dog poop disposal container is a popular option among pet owners. It’s a simple and convenient way to dispose of dog waste without having to worry about bad smells. A disposal container is usually made of metal or plastic with a lid and a scoop or shovel for easy cleanup, some models even come with built-in odor-control features.  

Dog poop disposal containers are easy to use and require little to no installation, just choose a location in your garden where you want to place the container. When it’s time to scoop the poop use a scoop or shovel to pick up the dog poop and place it in the container. Replace the lid to prevent odors and keep the dog poop contained. When the container is full, dispose of the contents in your regular trash bin.  

While throwing dog waste in the trash isn’t the most eco-friendly option, a garden dog poop disposal container is more environmentally friendly than just leaving dog poop on the ground. It keeps poop contained and prevents it from contaminating soil and water sources. 

Overall, using a garden dog poop disposal container is a convenient and more eco-friendly way to dispose of dog poop in your garden. It’s also great for people that don’t want any additional maintenance costs or those that don’t have the time to maintain a compost pile. If you’re thinking a dog poop disposal container might just be for you, check out our favourites:

Dog Poop Digester/Septic Tank

Another option for at-home dog poop disposal is the doggy waste digester. A doggy digester is a self-contained dog poop disposal system that is dug into the ground and uses enzymes to break down dog poop. The enzymes help to accelerate the decomposition process, and the waste is converted into a liquid that can be absorbed deep underground by the soil. 

Doggy digesters are a popular option for those who live in areas with strict waste disposal regulations or have limited space.  It’s also a great eco-friendly way to dispose of dog poop, keeping dog poop out of landfill and breaking it down naturally without releasing harmful pathogens into the environment. However, one downside to this system is as the waste breaks down the greenhouse gas methane is released.

Installing a waste digester requires a little effort in the beginning as you will need to dig quite a large hole. Also, you will need to consider the location carefully, it should be placed in an area that has well-draining soil and away from any water sources, such as streams or wells. However, once set up, this system requires very little maintenance. All you need to do is add the waste and top up with some enzymes and water as needed (usually about once a week). Then sit back and let the enzymes do the rest.  

It’s worth noting that if maintenance is neglected for too long digesters can produce odours, but this can be quickly rectified. Also, this system is temperature sensitive and stops working below 4˚C (40˚F) but will kick back into gear as temperatures increase. 

Overall, doggy digesters are a convenient and efficient option for at-home dog poop disposal. And with little maintenance, it can provide a hassle-free, eco-friendly solution to disposing of your furry friend’s waste. Here are some of our favourite dog poop digesters:

Composting

If done properly, composting dog poop can be a great, eco-friendly way to dispose of pet waste at home. It also reduces pet waste going to landfill and turns it into a valuable nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden.  

Composting involves mixing the waste with other organic matter, such as leaves and grass clippings, to create a compost pile. The compost pile heats up to high temperatures, which kills off harmful bacteria and breaks down the waste quickly. Composting needs more maintenance and attention than some systems, requiring regular turning and moisture monitoring. It can take several months for the microbes in the compost to break everything down and for your compost to be ready, so you will need to be patient. 

You will need to consider the location of your compost carefully, making sure that it is kept away from edible gardens, water sources and children’s play areas. Extra care should be taken when composting dog poop, as it can contain harmful pathogens and parasites that can be dangerous to humans and other animals. Take necessary precautions, such as wearing gloves, keeping composting tools separate and washing your hands thoroughly.  

Creating compost from dog waste can be a great resource for your garden when done properly. It’s nutrient-rich, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and reduces waste. However, it’s important to research the risks, and only apply to non-edible plants. If you want to know about how to compost dog poop we have a complete beginners guide, that shows you exactly what to do, step-by-step.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is a great eco-friendly and safe way to dispose of dog waste. It produces a nutrient-rich fertiliser and reduces the amount of waste that goes to the landfill. Vermicomposting uses worms to break down organic waste and destroy potential pathogens. 

In simple terms, vermicomposting is a box with holes for ventilation and moist bedding for worms to live in. A food source is then added, and the worms break down the organic waste and then pass nutrient-rich castings that can be used to fertilise your garden. Easy! 

Obviously, you will need worms, specifically red wigglers. Red wigglers can eat up to half their own weight in organic waste per day and are easy to care for. You’ll also need a wormery, consisting of several trays that sit on top of each other. As well as bedding material, such as coir, old compost, or shredded newspaper, which needs to be kept moist. 

The worms start off in the bottom tray, moving up to the next tray and once they have consumed all the poop. They should be fed every few days, as the ‘food’ disappears, burying the waste in their bedding as you go. Avoid overfeeding as this can lead to unpleasant odours. The worms will break down the dog poop over time, and pass nutrient-rich castings. The process can take several weeks or even months depending on the amount of waste and the number of worms. Patience is key. 

It’s worth noting wormeries should be placed in a shaded area that’s protected from extreme weather conditions, ideally somewhere within their optimum temperature range of 4-26˚C (40-80˚F). The size of the system you need depends on how much waste you have. If you have multiple dogs, you may need a larger system. Also, while vermicomposting doesn’t require too much maintenance, it cannot be neglected, as the worms may die.  

Overall, vermicomposting is a great eco-friendly, and sustainable way to dispose of your dog’s poop and is ideal for anyone who wants a fun hobby. If you’re thinking of trying vermicomposting, check out our favourite wormeries to get you started!

Bokashi  

Bokashi is a Japanese term that means “fermented organic matter.” It was originally used for disposing of kitchen waste but is becoming an increasingly popular way of disposing of dog poop. Bokashi involves using a mixture of essential microorganisms, bran that has been steeped in a sugar mixture, this mix helps dog waste break down faster and produces a strong nutrient-rich fertiliser that you can use on your ornamental plants. 

The process is simple and doesn’t require much equipment. Simply place the waste in an airtight container and add the bokashi mix. When the container is full, it should be left for serval weeks to ferment and ensure everything has broken down. The fermentation stage is important as this is what kills harmful pathogens. 

Once the dog poop has been fermented, it’s safe to use as compost. Simply, dig a hole in your and bury the compost. Over time, the nutrients in the compost will seep into the soil and improve its fertility. However, it’s important to note that the compost should not be used on edible plants or in areas where children play. 

You will also want to consider the size of the system you set up, depending on how many dogs you have and how much waste they produce. If you have multiple dogs, you may need several containers to handle the volume. Your bokashi system will need to be placed in an area that’s well-ventilated and away from any water sources. The system requires some maintenance to ensure that the fermentation process is working properly and adding the bokashi mix as needed.  

Bokashi is an eco-friendly way to dispose of dog poop, reducing waste in landfill and your garden. This method is perfect for those who are short on space and want an odor-free, easy-to-use system, but also want the benefits of a nutrient-rich fertiliser for their non-edible plants. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to at home dog poop disposal there are several systems available, that can make scooping the poop and maintaining your garden a lot easier. From the simple dog poop disposal container to the more eco-friendly dog poop composting and vermicomposting methods, there is a system that will suit everyone’s needs and budget. 

Whatever method you choose, stay consistent, and remember disposing of your dog’s waste properly contributes to a more sustainable future for our planet. 

Happy scooping friends!