Poop smells bad. It’s just a fact of life, even if your dog is happy, healthy, and well-behaved. Getting a good system in place for cleaning up dog poop is tricky, but once it’s in place, you’ll never go back. There are lots of ways to cut down on the smell, and you can even combine these ways to make it even cleaner smelling.
How to Dispose of Dog Poop Without Smell (7 Ways)
1. Bag it Up
The easiest way to cut down on dog poop smell is to individually bag every time. Dog poop bags are fairly cheap and easy to use. We recommend using a biodegradable bag, even if it does cost a little extra. That way, you’re not going through a ton of single-use plastic. These bags are a great option when combined with other methods, but they might not get rid of all smells on their own.
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Pros
Easy
Effective when combined with other methods
Cons
Adds to material waste
Doesn’t cut all smells
2. Outdoor Bin
Instead of using your kitchen trash can as a doggy doo-doo holder, stick a small metal can somewhere outdoors. Ideally, this can be somewhere out of the way enough that you won’t notice any smells, but not too far from where your dog usually relieves himself. Use an odor-busting can liner and stick it in the dumpster before garbage day. The trick is to find the perfect place where it’s accessible but not annoying.
Easy
Effective when combined with other methods
- Easy
- Effective when combined with other methods
Adds to material waste
Doesn’t cut all smells
- Adds to material waste
- Doesn’t cut all smells
Pros
Out of the way
Your dog hopefully poops outside anyway
Cons
Needs a yard
May make outdoor areas smell
3. Charcoal Filters
Wherever you put your poop, adding extra smell-busting certainly won’t hurt. Charcoal filters are easy to throw into the bottom of any bin, and they’ll break down any existing smells and minimize strong odors. Some bins even have a place to keep filters for maximum efficiency. Different filters should be replaced at different times, so follow the instructions on the package to keep the protection going strong. When combined with other methods, these filters can really be a game-changer!
Out of the way
Your dog hopefully poops outside anyway
- Out of the way
- Your dog hopefully poops outside anyway
Needs a yard
May make outdoor areas smell
- Needs a yard
- May make outdoor areas smell
Pros
Breaks down smells easily
Low hassle
Cons
May need to be combined with other methods
4. Baking soda
Another option for breaking down odors is baking soda. Sprinkling baking soda in your trash might sound funny, but it will take care of strong smells and neutralize the stink. Baking soda absorbs odors and gets rid of strong smells, just like charcoal does. It’s a cheap and easy option, especially since you probably already have a box in your kitchen. Just be prepared to repeat frequently—at least a few times in every bag of trash.
Breaks down smells easily
Low hassle
- Breaks down smells easily
- Low hassle
May need to be combined with other methods
- May need to be combined with other methods
Pros
Breaks down smells easily
Cheap
Cons
May need to be combined with other methods
Not as foolproof as filters
May need frequent application
- Related Read: 5 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smells
5. Flush it away
Dog poop is just poop, so in theory, it’s toilet safe. Dropping it into the toilet and flushing is a good way to dispose of dog poop, but you do have to be careful about what you drop it in with. Although there are “flushable” wipes on the market, many toilets get temperamental if you use anything other than toilet paper. It’s a little more work to flush it away without clogging your toilet, but it might be worth it to have the smells contained.
Breaks down smells easily
Cheap
- Breaks down smells easily
- Cheap
May need to be combined with other methods
Not as foolproof as filters
May need frequent application
- May need to be combined with other methods
- Not as foolproof as filters
- May need frequent application
Pros
Poop is gone fast
No smell once it’s cleaned up
Cons
Hassle to clean poop into toilet
Don’t trust “flushables” to stay unclogged
6. Diaper Pail
If you can’t dispose of your dog waste outdoors, look no further than the baby aisle of your local store. Diaper pails meant for babies often have all sorts of smell-proof features, and as a bonus, they tend to have child/dog protection locks to keep curious little ones out. You’ll want to dispose of the contents regularly for top protection, and cheap pails might not do much or anything, so you’ll want to shop carefully.
Poop is gone fast
No smell once it’s cleaned up
- Poop is gone fast
- No smell once it’s cleaned up
Hassle to clean poop into toilet
Don’t trust “flushables” to stay unclogged
- Hassle to clean poop into toilet
- Don’t trust “flushables” to stay unclogged
Pros
Indoor solution
Hard for dogs to break into
Widely available
Cons
Varying effectiveness
More expensive option
7. Public Waste Bins
Regular walks can be a time to get anything out of your dog’s system while you are out of the house. If you live near a park or other public space that is friendly to dogs, some good timing might mean you can use the park’s trash bins instead of disposing of your waste at home. Many parks even have bins specifically for dog poop. Of course, this only works if your dog reliably poops on walks and not at other times, and if you have a public waste bin somewhere convenient.
Indoor solution
Hard for dogs to break into
Widely available
- Indoor solution
- Hard for dogs to break into
- Widely available
Varying effectiveness
More expensive option
- Varying effectiveness
- More expensive option
Pros
Dump and forget
Smell is kept far from home
Cons
Only works when you’re walking
Last Thoughts
We love our furry friends, even if they stink sometimes. Cleaning up poop effectively is one of the less glamorous parts of being a pet owner but getting the tools you need for the job is a great way to make being a pet owner a little more pleasant. That way, you don’t have to get frustrated at inconvenient stenches from your dog.
Dump and forget
Smell is kept far from home
- Dump and forget
- Smell is kept far from home
Only works when you’re walking
Only works when you’re walking
You may also want to read: Why Does My Dog’s Poop Turn White? Should I Worry?
Featured Image Credit: Budimir Jevtic, Shutterstock
