Composting dog poop? To some, that sounds crazy. But did you know that composting dog waste is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your pup’s poop?
When done properly, composting dog feces can divert waste from landfills, reduce methane emissions, and even create useful compost for your garden. However, it’s important to follow safety guidelines to compost dog waste responsibly.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about composting dog poop, including:
- The benefits of composting dog waste
- How to compost dog poop safely
- Hot vs cold composting methods
- Vermicomposting with worms
- Tips for proper maintenance
- When to use the finished compost
- Specialized dog poop composters
- Compostable dog poop bags
- How long it takes dog poop to decompose
- And much more!
Let’s get into the nitty gritty on how to compost dog waste the right way.
Why Compost Dog Poop?
Composting dog poop offers many benefits:
Diverts waste from landfills
In the U.S. alone, dogs produce over 10 million tons of poop per year. That’s a lot of waste going into landfills! Composting helps cut down on the amount of dog feces entering landfills and reduces methane emissions as waste decomposes anaerobically.
Creates useful compost
Believe it or not, composted dog manure makes an excellent fertilizer for non-edible gardens. The finished compost is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients that plants thrive on. Compost also improves soil structure and moisture retention.
Environmentally friendly choice
Composting dog poop is a more environmentally conscious choice than using plastic bags and sending waste to the landfill. It puts waste to good use rather than simply throwing it away.
Kills pathogens and parasites
Proper hot composting destroys pathogens, parasites like roundworms, and weed seeds that may be present in dog feces. This makes composted poop safer for garden use.
Clearly, composting dog waste comes with some great eco-friendly perks. But to reap the benefits, it’s crucial to compost dog poop the right way.
How to Compost Dog Poop Safely
Composting dog waste isn’t quite as simple as tossing poop on your regular compost pile. Dog feces can contain harmful bacteria, parasites and pathogens.
Follow these key tips for safe composting:
Use the proper carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio
Dog poop is very high in nitrogen. Balance it out by mixing one part dog waste with 2-3 parts high carbon “brown” material like sawdust, dry leaves, straw or shredded newspaper.
Don’t compost dog poop by itself
It should always be mixed with other compost materials like yard waste. This helps balance nutrients and provides proper aeration.
Use a closed composting system
Contain the dog waste compost in a closed system, never an open pile. This prevents leaching of pathogens into the soil and contamination.
Maintain high temperatures
Compost piles with dog poop should be actively managed to maintain temperatures between 130-150°F to kill pathogens. Turn the compost frequently.
Don’t use dog waste compost on edibles
Only use composted dog poop on ornamental plants, trees or non-food gardens. Don’t use it for fruits, vegetables or herbs.
Following these guidelines closely reduces the risks and makes composting dog waste safe. Next, let’s go over the best composting methods.
Hot Composting Dog Poop
Hot composting involves actively managing a compost pile to encourage the decomposition process and maintain high internal temperatures. It’s the preferred method for composting dog waste.
Benefits of hot composting dog poop:
- Destroys pathogens, parasites, weed seeds and larvae in dog feces
- Breaks down waste more quickly than cold composting
- Produces usable compost in as little as 4-6 months
How to hot compost dog poop:
- Add one part dog poop to 2-3 parts carbon material like leaves or sawdust in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3.
- Mix the dog waste with yard waste like plant trimmings in a closed compost bin, rotating drum or enclosed heap.
- Monitor the temperature of the compost, turning the pile frequently to maintain 130-150°F. Use a compost thermometer to check the temp.
- In 4-6 months, the compost should be dark, crumbly, and odorless, indicating it’s ready to use.
Hot composting requires more effort to get right. But it’s the safest method for eliminating risks from dog waste.
Cold Composting Dog Poop
Cold composting involves letting organic waste decompose naturally without active maintenance to raise temperatures. It’s slower but requires less work than hot composting.
Benefits of cold composting dog poop:
- Requires little maintenance or effort after initial setup
- Less risk of bad odors if pile isn’t turned
- Lower temps mean less nitrogen loss from compost
Downsides of cold composting:
- Doesn’t kill all pathogens, parasites or weed seeds
- Can take over a year for dog poop to decompose
- Higher risk of contamination if pile isn’t contained
How to cold compost dog poop:
- Mix dog waste with 2-3 parts carbon material and yard waste in an enclosed compost bin.
- Leave the compost pile to decompose on its own without turning or aerating.
- Wait at least 1 year before using finished compost.
Cold composting dog poop takes minimal work but has some risks. Hot composting is the safer choice.
Vermicomposting Dog Poop with Worms
Vermicomposting uses earthworms to break down organic waste like dog poop into nutrient-rich worm castings. Red wiggler worms work best.
Benefits of vermicomposting dog waste:
- Worms help decompose dog poop faster than cold composting
- Castings contain more nutrients than traditional compost
- Can be done year-round indoors or outdoors
Downsides of vermicomposting:
- Worms don’t eliminate all pathogens or parasites
- Requires proper bedding and maintenance of worm bin
- More expensive startup costs than traditional composting
How to vermicompost dog poop:
- Obtain a worm composting bin or build your own with drainage holes drilled in the bottom.
- Fill bin with bedding like shredded cardboard and newspapers moistened to the consistency of a wrung out sponge.
- Bury small amounts of dog poop under the bedding scattered throughout the bin.
- Add 500-1000 red wiggler worms to start breaking down the waste.
- Feed worms buried dog poop and kitchen scraps. Harvest vermicompost in 3-6 months.
Vermicomposting dog poop takes more initial effort but can decompose waste faster than plain cold composting.
Maintaining a Dog Poop Compost Pile
To create safe, usable compost from dog waste, your compost pile needs proper maintenance and care:
Provide aeration
Turn hot compost piles frequently and fluff up cold compost piles to improve airflow and speed decomposition.
Control moisture
The compost should feel like a damp wrung-out sponge, not sopping wet. Add water or dry amendments as needed.
Monitor temperatures
Track temperatures with a compost thermometer. Turn hot piles to keep the center between 130-150°F.
Eliminate odors
Bad smells mean something is off. Odors may indicate lack of aeration, excess moisture or improper C:N balance. Fix these issues to control smells.
Reduce pile size
Large compost heaps have less aeration and don’t maintain proper temperatures. Keep hot compost piles under 4 ft tall and cold piles under 3 ft tall.
Be patient
Give your dog poop compost time to decompose fully before using. Hot piles take 4-6 months to compost, cold piles 12+ months.
With some TLC, your dog waste compost will transform into a usable end product!
When to Use Finished Dog Poop Compost
Dog waste compost is full of nutrients, but it does come with some caveats. Follow these guidelines on using mature compost made from dog poop:
Use on ornamentals only
Apply finished dog poop compost as mulch around trees, shrubs, flowers and other non-food ornamentals. The nitrogen benefits their growth.
Don’t use on edibles
Never use composted dog waste in vegetable gardens, herb gardens or on fruit trees, berries or vines. The risk of contamination is too high.
Apply to lawns cautiously
You can use small amounts of finished dog poop compost to topdress lawns. But don’t overdo it as the nitrogen may burn grass if overapplied.
Avoid root zones of plants
When adding dog poop compost as mulch, keep it away from the root zones of plants to prevent excessive nitrogen uptake.
Wait until fully composted
Immature compost may still contain pathogens. Let dog waste compost for a minimum 6-12 months before using depending on the method.
Wear gloves when handling
Always wear protective gloves when handling composted dog poop to prevent contact with potential pathogens. Better safe than sorry.
While composted dog poop has some limitations, it’s still a very useful soil amendment for non-edible landscaping.
Specialized Dog Poop Composters
Several products on the market are designed specifically for composting dog waste. These can make the process easier and more contained.
Doggie Dooley
This in-ground composter consists of a basket lined with a compost accelerator that sits inside a plastic septic-style tank buried in the yard. Owners deposit dog poop directly into the basket where it composts. Liquids drain away underground. After 9-12 months, compost can be removed from the basket and used.
Pet Poo Composter
This above-ground enclosed bin contains waste as it composts. A biofilter converts ammonia to nitrogen gas which vents out the top to prevent odors. An internal aeration system helps speed composting. Waste decomposes in 6-9 months.
NatureMill Composter
This electric composter for dog and cat waste uses heat, agitation and airflow to accelerate composting. It produces usable compost in just 4-6 weeks. The unit has charcoal filters to control odors indoors or out.
Litter Locker Composter
Designed for cat waste but can work for dogs too. The Litter Locker has a self-cleaning sifter to separate out solid waste from liquid waste, which drains to the bottom tank. An external collection bin catches finished compost.
These specialized products take the guesswork out of composting pet poop. The right one can make the process easy and mess-free.
Using Compostable Dog Poop Bags
Collecting all that poop to compost can be a chore without the right tools. Compostable dog waste bags can make it easier:
Better for the environment – Compostable bags break down over time, unlike plastic bags that linger for years in landfills.
Designed for composting – Made from plant-based materials like cornstarch that degrade under composting conditions.
Freely add to compost – No need to empty poop and remove the bags first since the bags decompose along with the waste.
May require hot composting – Cold composting may not get hot enough to fully break down some bags. Hot active composting works best.
More expensive than plastic – Compostable poop bags average 2-5 cents per bag compared to 1 cent for plastic bags.
When composting dog poop, compostable waste bags streamline the process and eliminate extra steps. Just empty everything right into the compost!
How Long Does It Take Dog Poop to Compost?
The amount of time it takes dog poop to decompose depends on the composting method:
- Hot composting – 4-6 months
- Cold composting – 12+ months
- Vermicomposting – 6-12 months
Factors that affect composting time include:
- Aeration – Turning piles to improve airflow speeds decomposition.
- Particle size – Breaking waste down into smaller pieces gives microbes more surface area to work on.
- Moisture & nutrients – Balancing moisture and nutrients like carbon accelerates composting.
- Ambient temperature – Warmer external temperatures help heat up compost piles.
- Waste volume – Smaller amounts of waste compost faster than large piles.
Be patient. Allow your dog poop compost adequate time to fully decompose before using. Proper curing ensures finished compost is safe for application.
Is Composting Dog Poop Right for You?
Composting dog waste does require more effort than simply tossing poop bags in the trash. Consider these key questions to decide if it’s right for your situation:
- Do you have time to actively maintain a hot compost pile?
- Is there outdoor space to site compost bins out of the way?
- Are you prepared to keep dog poop compost securely contained?
- Will you remember to only use the finished compost on ornamentals?
- Does your climate stay warm enough for hot composting year-round?
- Is the benefit of diverting dog waste from landfills worth the extra work?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, composting dog poop may be manageable for you. It’s one way eco-conscious dog owners can minimize their pet’s environmental pawprint!
The Bottom Line on Composting Dog Poop
Composting dog poop sustainably recycles waste while producing useful fertilizer for your garden. It’s a great eco-friendly alternative to sending feces to the landfill.
However, proper guidelines must be followed to compost dog waste safely and destroy potentially harmful pathogens. The right methods, conditions and maintenance are key.
While composting dog poop does require more effort on the owner’s part, it’s a smart green practice that benefits the planet. With the right know-how, you can turn your pup’s poo into gardening gold!