If you have a dog or dogs, you have probably encountered a problem called ‘what to do with dog poo’. Even though we like our pets, they tend to leave a nasty surprise in the garden and sometimes all over our garden.
Given that nobody likes stepping into poop or smelling nasty odors, let’s look at some ways of dealing with poop and practical techniques for dissolving dog poop.
What To Do With Dog Poop?
1. Dog Waste Bags
If you are a responsible owner, you are probably familiar with dog waste bags, which are an effective way of dealing with your dog’s poo on your lawn or in a park.
There are various bags for pet waste- we recommend that you buy biodegradable poop bags or compostable bags.
Biodegradable bags are a better alternative because they will break down after some time, although not entirely. Even so, it is a better option than your usual plastic bags.
When you pick up the dog poo, you might want to double-bag it and secure the knot to prevent it from falling out and mixing with other trash. However, these bags are not a good option when your dog makes a liquid mess.
Ultimately, picking up your dog’s poop and throwing it in the bin is not ideal, but it is better than leaving it in the yard or the park.
2. Flush It Down The Toilet
There is another option- instead of throwing the poo in the can, you can flush it down the toilet. However, it is vital that you open the bag before you do it and that you have a more advanced plumbing system.
If you don’t, the bag or bags might clog your pipes. Also, not all bags can be used for this- but luckily, there are a lot of brands of flushable bags for dog waste.
If you have cats, it is not recommended to use this technique because some cats’ waste can contain a parasite called toxoplasmosis, which can cause severe health problems for other animals and humans. Luckily, not all cats have it, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
3. Burry the Poop
If you have a bigger dog that produces a lot of dog waste, you have probably thought about burying the poop in the garden. It is a suitable option, but you must own the land you plan on burying to poop at.
Obviously, everything is better than leaving the poop ‘unattended’, but this is not a great option if you are considering it. It will not cost you anything, but several studies show that dog poop contains bacteria, which will eventually break down into the soil.
So if you plan on having a wonderful garden with plants and healthy grass, you might want to rethink that option. Dog urine and poo contain high quantities of nitrogen, which is a result of their high-protein diet.
Interestingly, grass and plants need nitrogen, but the problem is the high quantities present in poo and urine. As a result, it burns the plants and the grass, mainly if your dog is accustomed to peeing in just one location.
4. Pooper Scooper
A Pooper scooper is a device made specifically for picking up dog poop from your yard or park. It basically scoops the poop, so you would not have to touch it with your hands and bend down.
There are different sizes and brands of pooper scoopers, so if you are a tall person, look for a taller scoop. However, it is vital to note that you will still have to use a bag for dog waste after you pick it up with this device. Nevertheless, it is a tool that will make the process more manageable if you are at the dog park or want to flush it down the toilet.
How To Dissolve Dog Poop?
If you are looking for a more efficient way of dealing with dog waste, you might want to look for ways you can dissolve it in your yard. Luckily, you have several options: gardening lime, a mixture of vinegar, a septic tank, and an enzyme-based dog poo dissolver.
1. Gardening Lime
Gardening or agricultural lime is a great and inexpensive method for eliminating problems caused by our beloved pets. In addition, it is a natural solution with a fresh and overwhelming scent that is ideal as an odor eliminator.
Agricultural lime controls the soil acidity and neutralizes the effects of acids from nitrogen, which is commonly found in dog poop. As a result, it has numerous benefits for your soil, improving soil structure and maximizing soil nutrient performance.
So, how to use it?
- First, to start this DIY project, you will need a pair of rubber gloves and a cup of lime, depending on how much dog waste you have to eliminate. Usually, a cup of lime will be enough to dissolve the normal-sized dog poo.
- Then sprinkle it on the dog poo and the urine-infested soil.
- Now, you will have to wait for the lime to do its magic.
The waiting process might take a couple of days, but it will dissolve successfully. Of course, it will leave some residue, but the soil will absorb that.
However, when using lime, you must consider a couple of things. First, given it is a powerful solution, if you mix up the doses and apply too much lime, it will burn your grass and possibly destroy your lawn.
Furthermore, you must be very careful when handling it because it can burn your skin, and keep your dog away from it for the same reasons. Using lime is a two-way street, so weigh your options and risks before choosing your method.
2. Vinegar
Yes! You read that correctly; vinegar can also be used for dissolving poop. If you have not been living under a rock, you might have seen or heard of various uses and benefits of vinegar for cleaning and dissolving dirt, grime, and even dog poo.
However, this all-natural cleaner will only partially eliminate dog feces, and if you are dealing with larger quantities, this might not be an ideal method for you. In addition, it makes the poo a bit mushy and not dry, so after it dissolves, you will have to scrape and scoop the residue.
Furthermore, you will not likely enjoy this process if you have a sensitive nose because of its protruding smell.
How to use it? Make a solution of white vinegar and water 50/50 and spray it on the poop. Vinegar is anti-bacterial and anti-septic, killing germs and neutralizing the Ph. You can also use it for dog poo stains on your carpet.
Let the solution soak into the carpet and leave it for a couple of minutes. Then use a towel and blot to clean it.
If your dog did the ‘deed’ on the hard surface when cleaning it, you could add a bit of bleach to the water to ensure that all bacteria will be successfully eliminated from the surface.
3. Enzyme-Based Dissolver
Enzyme-based dissolves are considered to be the best choice when it comes to eliminating dog waste without too much hassle and mess. Furthermore, it will keep your garden and yard in pristine condition without bad smells and piles of poo.
The best thing about these dissolvers is that they use plant-based enzymes that break down organic materials through natural chemical reactions so plants can absorb the nutrients.
If you are wondering how to use it-basically, it is a solution that you buy at the store and spray on the dog poo. Today, we have a ton of different brands that effectively dissolve the poo.
One of those is the doggie doo dissolver which will dissolve it in minutes by sucking the moisture out of it and thus eliminating the bad smell. There are also many other brands on the market, so feel free to check out those if you don’t think this one will work for you.
4. Septic Tank for Dogs or DIY Composter
If you have a larger budget, consider buying a dog poop disposal system like Doggie Dooley Waste Disposal System. Basically, it works like the usual septic tank, just smaller and for dog poop. It provides a central location where you can ‘dispose of the feces.
Doogie Dooley Waste Disposal System is very easy to use and install, although compared to other options, it will require more effort.
However, this is a long-term solution that does not involve buying bags or dissolvers and deals with the poo in the most environmentally friendly way. After you purchase it, you will have to dig a hole and install it in the ground. Then you will discard the dog feces and add water and Waste Terminator Tablets as instructed.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get rid of dog poo, such as enzyme-based poo dissolvers, agricultural lime, septic tanks, and vinegar.
The most recommended option is buying a septic tank or using enzyme-based dissolvers because they effectively eliminate poop without dealing with the odors and scooping remnants of poo. These are also the most environmentally-friendly options.
However, if buying a septic tank is too expensive, or you cannot find dog poo dissolved, feel free to try out the other options.
Have you ever used any of these methods? Please share your experience with us! If you have any questions, do not be shy and ask away!