DIY Dog Poop Composter

by Steve Graham, Networx

Sure, you’re a good citizen of your neighborhood. You don’t just leave Fido’s leavings where they fall. But you could be a better citizen of the planet by composting your dog doody. When you wrap up the poop in a plastic newspaper sleeve, you may be guaranteeing your dog will leave his mark in the landfill for decades.

Instead, throw it into a specially designed backyard bin. Think of this dog doody composter as a pit toilet for pets (although you’re better off collecting the waste and putting it in the pit for Fido. He might fall in if he tries to use it). We must credit City Farmer in Vancouver for inspiration. Click here for a less detailed, but more photo-intensive, project outline.

Before I get to the actual pet poop pit plan, a couple of notes on alternatives:

• Don’t add dog doody to your regular worm compost bin or hot compost pile. The worms will probably take care of it, but they are your pets too, so why would you be so cruel. Also, the dog doody contains dangerous pathogens and less beneficial worms. Composted dog poop should never be used on or around vegetable gardens.

• You may also consider simply burying the waste, but even with a small dog, you may soon run out of spaces far enough from the vegetable garden.

• Third, there are commercial dog composters available starting at about $30, but you will see that making your own is really cheap and simple.

1 of 2

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kristina C.

9:58AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Thanks - interesting solution!

Please sign my petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/give-a-pitbull-a-chance/

send a green star

La Loba L.

8:41PM PST on Jan 21, 2012

Sadly, I live in an area where most of what most of you call 'soil' is actually volcanic cinder. Being volcanic it does not react like normal dirt. You were doing great until you got to the "dig a hole" part... it cannot be done by a human in volcanic cinder.
Is it possible to make something similar and set it into a small depression, say out near the back edge of our yard, or some other inconspicuous place? I'd go with a Doggie Dooley, except for the cost. We do not have a Petco or similar except for one about 2 hour's drive away.

KS G.

4:48AM PST on Dec 9, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Laurie P.

7:10AM PDT on Apr 30, 2011

Great idea! We have three dogs and lots of messes in the yard to keep up with. This could really make our lives easier and would be better for the environment than the plastic bags we use.

Kelley D.

5:53PM PDT on Apr 16, 2011

Another great solution if you have a pooper scooper is to get a Doggie Doo Drain. I scoop all the dog waste into a bucket and drop it into the Doggie Doo Drain. The Doggie Doo Drain is screwed into the septic/sewer system so the dog waste gets disposed of in a safe and environmental way. If you click on the link "Doggie Doo Drain" you'll see how easy it is to install.

Some pros are, you do not have to keep buying anything and you do not have to bring the poop into your house.

Beth C.

7:34AM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

Living in a rented house this is not an option for me although a great idea. I buy the cheap plastic sandwich bags at the store- like 250 for $3..keep the box on the porch and some in the car. When I walk the dogs I put some in my jean pocket and am all set without spending a fortune. Wish I could find some inexpensive biodegradable ones. When you leave the poo to desolve in your yard the dogs will step in it and bring the fecal material into your house. I got that info from watching Victoria Stillwell.

Elizabeth M.

2:23PM PST on Feb 5, 2011

Thanks for this post Chaya. I do feel there will be a day when park lights will be powered by doggie doo, as they have one in a doggie park in the city, and it is working. Thank you also to Elzmarie for the web site, which I noted.

Anne H.

7:38AM PST on Jan 5, 2011

great info.

Barbara E.

5:55PM PST on Jan 4, 2011

Thanx :-0

Chris M.

3:52PM PST on Dec 26, 2010

I'm also in a condo with not enough room to do this. Perhaps I'll come across a neighbor who does ;)