Best Dog Poop Bags
Dog poop bags are the barrier between you and your pooch’s poop: you want them to be durable, concealing, and big enough to hold your pet’s number two. Read on to see which dog poop bags have proven to be the best choices on the market – and grab a few packs for your next walk.
There are many joys and perks of being a pet parent- and handling your dog’s poop is definitely not on that list. However, just because no one likes doing it doesn’t mean it will go away, so the next best thing you can do is to make your life easier and minimize the hassle (and the nastiness) that come with the dreaded chore. Picking up dog poop is your responsibility as a dog owner, and neglecting it can have devastating consequences for the ecosystem – not to mention that it’s just plain rude leaving your dog’s poop around for someone to step in. Luckily, with the constant innovations and a vast selection of products on the pet market, cleaning up after your pet doesn’t have to be a hassle. You can even pick up poop hands-free with pooper scoopers, both at home and on walks. However, most pet parents agree that the most convenient way of handling their dog’s waste is to use dog poop bags. Compact enough to fit in your pocket or hang from the leash, they are always on hand – they are also inexpensive and designed with practicality in mind.
Naturally, not all dog poop bags are up to standards. Sometimes, going for the cheapest option will cost you: just imagine what could happen if that super thin, super flimsy baggie you got ripped while you’re picking up the poop… Ugh. Or if it’s too small to comfortably pick your pet’s particularly productive number two without making a mess of it? Hurts me just to think about it. That’s why it’s so important to find dog poop bags that work for you. You want something that fits your budget, your habits (and your pet’s, ehm, capacities), and any other preference you might have, such as eco-friendliness factor or compatibility with the type of dog leash you use. Despite what you might think, picking out dog poop bags requires some thought and research, and it might not be as easy to find what you want from the first try.
To help you make dog waste disposal a mess-free, stress-free chore, we’ve rounded up tried-and-tested dog poop bags that have raving reviews from other pet pawrents. From biodegradable poop bags to extra large poop bags to those that are scented to conceal the smells, you’ll find a perfect match for your needs on our list. And if you’re unsure what makes a good poop bag in the first place (apart from the obvious) or need some tips on picking up poop, read on – our short buying guide has all the info on handling doggie doo you might need (even if you don’t really want to hear about it).
PLANET POOP Compostable Dog Poop Bags
You don’t have to compromise on eco-friendliness to get a perfectly sturdy, leak-free poop bag. These compostable poop bags are biodegradable in a backyard compost, so you don’t have to worry about littering the planet. To boot, the cardboard box they come in is also made from recycled materials (as well as their cardboard core)! In addition to being eco-friendly, these poop bags also tick other boxes on our list. They are extra long and extra thick, they are easy to tear and separate, and won’t leak. What more could a pawrent want?
Pogi’s Poop Bags with Easy-Tie Handles
These scented dog poop bags have one nifty feature that makes them stand out: long handles that make closure mess-free and hassle-free. Just tie the handles in a knot and toss the baggie in the trash! The powder fresh scent of the bags will mask the odor of the bag’s contents, so these baggies are great for owners who are really squeamish. The only downside to these poop bags is that they don’t fit in a dispenser, so you’ll have to remember to grab one before you go on a walk.
Hippo Sak® Extra Large Pet Poop Bags
Whether you have a big dog that craps like an elephant (hey, I have two big doggos, I’m allowed to say it!) or just want to make sure that there’s no way your hand comes in contact with their poop, these bags are ideal. Extra large, they are 2.5 bigger than the average one: when you put them on your hand, they’ll go over your elbow, so maximum protection and impressive capacity. They are thick and have a reinforced bottom – so no leaks or messes, either.
AmazonBasics Dog Waste Bags with Dispenser and Leash Clip
In case you need something simple and budget-friendly, these AmazonBasics poop bags fit the bill. Available in standard and biodegradable options (enriched with EPI additives for faster decomposition), they are pretty much your standard dog poop bags. The dimensions are a perfect fit for dispenser bags- and you’ll get one for free with a nifty leash clip for a convenient way to always have poop bags when you’re out walking your pet. They are, as the name suggests, the basic option- so no perks such as eco-friendliness, scent, or bigger size.
Give A Sh!t Compostable Poop Bags
Fully made from plant-based materials, these poop bags are fully biodegradable and compostable: the combination of cornstarch, edible glycerin, and biodegradable and compostable polymer will completely disintegrate in a home compost. But that doesn’t mean that these bags are flimsy – it’s the opposite. The 18-micron thickness of the generously sized bags is more than enough for locking in odors and the contents of the bags without anything leaking or seeping out of it. And as these bags fit most dispensers, you don’t have to worry about storage, either!
Mutt Mitt Dog Waste Pickup Bags
You know how sometimes your dog cops a squat and it’s way more than you felt like the bags you brought were capable of handling? Only us? Well, if that’s ever been the case (or may be one day), these Mitt Mutt bags are like a fabulous pair of gloves combined with really airtight, puncture-resistant bags to make poop scooping super easy. In fact, the mitt fits your hand like a mitten or a glove, and what better to scoop things with than something designed like that? There’s no risk of poop leaking out because it goes well above your wrist, and the thick design means that when you turn the bag inside out (super easy to do with the mitt-pouch shape) you don’t have to worry about rips or tears putting you in touch with the brown stuff.
The 2-ply construction and oversized fitting makes these a must-have for the especially squeamish poop scoopers.
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags- Lavender Scented
Leak-proof and lavender scented, Earth Rated poop bags are what happens when you take a basic traditional design and perfect it. They fit most traditional bag dispensers, their size is generous, and they are easy to tear apart and close after you pick up the poop. They also have some additional advantages such as their scent, superior thickness, and the EPI additive that makes these plastic bags degrade faster. Plus, their price is budget-friendly, so that’s great too!
Bags on Board Hand Armor Dog Poop Bags
The words ’hand armor’ is something every pet parent wants to hear when poop bags are being described- and these really live up to their name. Two times thicker than their competitors, these heavy-duty poop bags are strong and durable and ideal for large breed dogs or pet parents that are worried about accidental rips and tears during pickup. They also boast convenient handle ties to minimize contact with the waste even more- and ensure the poop is safely locked in.
Frisco Planet Friendly Dog Poop Bags
Simple, cheap, and well-made, these poop bags have all you could want- even if you’re on a really tight budget. They are made from plastic with an EPI additive that will make them break down faster, and are surprisingly tough: no rips or tears in sight. You can pick between cucumber melon scent if you want an odor control option or go unscented if you don’t like perfumed pet products. These poop bags fit most dispensers and are a go-to option for reliable budget-friendly poop bags.
Paws & Pals Dog Poop Bag
Extra strong, these dog poop bags are ideal for heavy-duty use: they won’t tear while you’re picking up poop and they are large enough to match the needs of big dog breeds, too. They are scented as well (ocean fragrance) so if odor control is important to you, you won’t be disappointed. The best part is that you get all this for a very affordable price – so no need to break the bank if you want great quality poop bags!
Why you have to pick up poop after your dog
There’s no getting around it- as a dog owner, you have the responsibility to pick up after your pet. And it’s not just that neglecting to pick up your pet’s poop is bad manners, but it can be dangerous as well. There are a lot of misconceptions about dog feces, and most of them fail to acknowledge the hazard your pet’s waste can pose. It’s not just that dog poop is a nasty, smelly surprise an unassuming passerby can step in. It’s even officially categorized as an environmental pollutant by the EPA! Here are the dangers that come with leaving your pet’s waste on the street, lawn, or anywhere that’s not a bin, really:
Parasites
Dog feces can be a source of parasites for other dogs and humans alike – worm species such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms or protozoan parasites such as giardia and coccidia. Needless to say, all of these parasites can seriously endanger other pets on the same route if the feces aren’t properly disposed of but rather left lying around. Humans can be at risk, too, especially vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Infection
Studies indicate that just one gram of dog feces contains about 23 million fecal bacteria- that’s A LOT in case you didn’t already figure it out. Among those millions, poop can contain bacteria that cause serious diseases and infections, both among humans and animals, including escherichia coli, salmonella, and campylobacteriosis, all of which are notoriously difficult to treat and extremely easy to contract, especially through contact with infected feces. And, of course, let’s not forget the many viral infections can be contracted through poop: parvovirus and canine coronavirus are some of the many that can lurk in feces and infect other pets.
Pollution
In 1991, EPA put dog poop in the category of environmental pollutants. To put things into perspective, that’s the same group that pesticides, antifreeze, or oil spills fall into. Needless to say, that means that, if dog poop was to get into waterways, it could cause serious contamination. And it will get into one if you leave it behind: when it rains or snows, the contaminants from dog feces will get into the storm drainage system and find its way to streams and lakes. From there, it’s all downhill. All those problematic parasites, bacteria, and diseases will also enter the water stream and it can make the water in your area completely unusable and even hazardous.
Affecting the ecosystem
Once the contaminants from dog feces enter the waterways, it’s not “just” disease and bacteria that are making a mess. There are certain nutrients in dog poop that feed algae and weeds and will cause their overgrowth, making the waters murky and green and disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem. Similarly, when it comes to grass and plants, dog poop is not a good fertilizer as the nutrients it contains don’t match the needs of the plant life. Unlike, let’s say cow manure, dog poop is rich in proteins, and once they start breaking down with the decomposing of the feces, they will make the soil more acidic which will ruin most flower beds and lawns. Not to mention that, for all of the reasons above, it’s not a smart idea to use bacteria-ridden dog poop as a fertilizer in the first place – even if it did work.
But now that you know that you should always pick up your dog’s poop, you might be wondering what’s the proper way of disposing of it? Once you get the poop in the baggie, you should securely close it and toss it inside the trash bin. The alternative is flushing your pet’s poop (if he does his business at home) as the toilet water goes straight to a sewage treatment plant so there’s no risk of contamination. You shouldn’t compost your pet’s poop for the same reasons you shouldn’t use it as a fertilizer, so, sadly, that’s not an option.
What to look for in dog poop bags
Dog poop bags vary in design in quality and you’ll have to consider different factors before settling on a specific brand:
Durability
It goes without saying: you don’t want your baggie to rip while you’re in the process of disposing of the poop – ew! Leaky dog poop bags or those that are too thin and rip easily are those that you should avoid at all costs- go for those made from thicker materials and spacious enough to comfortably hold its contents.
Dimensions
The bigger the better, really. You want to grab the poop with the bag while making minimal contact with the poop itself (even through the bag) and if the bag is too compact to hold the poop, you’ll be in a world of trouble. Larger bags make you prepared for all kinds of situations and allow easier access to poop without requiring closer contact with it. Also, they are much easier to securely close, regardless of the volume of their contents. Even if your pet is not a large breed dog, you can’t go wrong by opting for bigger poop bags.
Odor control
In addition to containing the fecal matter itself, ideal dog poop bags should also contain all unpleasant smells. Some can be successful in odor control simply by being thick enough, but you might prefer going for scented dog poop bags. These are available in a variety of odor-neutralizing scents that will mask the smell of the bag’s contents and make the process less yucky if we’re being honest.
Eco-friendliness
If ecology is an important issue for you (as it should be), you might be wondering what happens with all those plastic dog poop bags once you toss them in the trash. The reality is that, like with all plastic, poop bags take thousands of years to decompose. In case you want to avoid contributing to the pollution problem, there are biodegradable and compostable dog poop bags. The first can be degraded in special conditions (but there’s much controversy about their toxicity to the environment) and others can be safely used in compost (but again, the compost contaminated with dog feces can’t be used as a fertilizer).
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A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.
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