How to make your own dog waste composter!
Ranked #688 in Pets & Animals, #18,488 overall
The safest, healthiest and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of the doo!
We recently moved to a cabin in the Mountains of NE Georgia and have a lot of land and a septic system, so dealing with the doo has become a big concern for us. We sure don't want to take our doo to the dump once a week and we sure don't want to fill up the landfill either!
While living in the city, we flushed our doo because it was the most environmentally friendly when living in the city with a city septic and waste treatment system. But now that we are in the country and have a septic system, we don't want to fill our septic tank with dog poop!
So we've decided to create our own dog waste composting system on the back side of our property. We've done our research and wanted to share all the info we learned with you!
Sit back and paw around a bit, bet you'll find this very interesting!
Photo courtesy of Don DeBold (Flickr.com). The photo is actually the Quetzlcoatl sculpture by Robert Graham located in San Jose, CA. (Some individuals say it looks like a pile of dog poop :).
While living in the city, we flushed our doo because it was the most environmentally friendly when living in the city with a city septic and waste treatment system. But now that we are in the country and have a septic system, we don't want to fill our septic tank with dog poop!
So we've decided to create our own dog waste composting system on the back side of our property. We've done our research and wanted to share all the info we learned with you!
Sit back and paw around a bit, bet you'll find this very interesting!
Photo courtesy of Don DeBold (Flickr.com). The photo is actually the Quetzlcoatl sculpture by Robert Graham located in San Jose, CA. (Some individuals say it looks like a pile of dog poop :).
Did you know?
A typical dog excretes three quarters of a pound of waste per day-or 274 pounds per year!
Why reused plastic and biodegradable bags aren't the answer to reducing landfill waste.
The bags are collected along with other trash, dumped in the landfill, then more trash is dumped on top. These materials need to have access to all the elements; sun, wind and rain in order to biodegrade and breakdown; and they don't receive exposure to those elements in the landfill.
So the two best and most environmentally friendly ways of disposing of your dog's waste are:
- If you live in the city with a city water sewage and treatment system, flush the dog poop.
- If you live in the country utilize a dog waste composter. If you are in the far northern states, dig and bury the composting system as deep as possible; past the frost line in your particular area. If you are in the south, bury your composting system at least 36 inches deep. Just be aware that decomposing will not be as efficient (or even non-existent) in the Winter months than in the Spring, Summer and Fall months.
- When you travel, utilize those biodegradable dog waste bags, and dispose of them properly. It's at least more effective than non-biodegradable.
Here are the instructions we'll be following to make our dog waste composting system.
- Locate a nice sunny open spot in the yard away from trees to keep the root system out.
- Find a old used trash can (holes and beat up are ok), and cut out the bottom of the trash can. Also drill holes in the side of the trash can 2/3 the way up the can.
- Dig a hole the circumference and depth of the trash can without the lid.
- Put the lid on the trash can for stability and then put the trash can down in the hole and backfill with dirt around the sides.
- Add about two inches of gravel (or broken rocks/bricks) into the bottom of the trash can hole.
- Just add poo, some dead leaves/grass clippings; and on occasion add some enzymes to help it break down more quickly.
Important things to keep in mind:
- These types of composters don't work well in northern states because of the higher frost line, they also don't work very well when the weather is below 40 degrees.
- Select a location away from your water well, or water supply; as well as free from potential tree rooting.
- An optional system is to add a five inch diameter pvc pipe to the lid, then bury the entire trash can and lid so that only the pvc pipe is exposed. Then add the waste and the enzymes through the opening.
Cool stuff for cool dogs!
Be sure and visit my website - JohannTheDog.com - where you can shop for cool stuff for cool dogs!We've put together, in one place, all the cool stuff you need for your dog! You can find dog beds, all natural foods and treats, collars, leashes, charms, training and agility gear, vitamins and supplements, books, clothing, toys and more!
And the best part is we donate 10% of our profits to dog rescues and shelters!
Follow my Raise A Green Dog blog for lots of great green and healthy tips for your dog!
How do you dispose of the dog doo?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
More great info on making a homemade dog waste composter.
- Big Dog Poop Composter
- Made with salvaged materials.
- Pet Waste Composting
- From City Farmer.
- Composting Dog Waste
- From the United States Department of Agriculture
In the City? Flush it!
News about dog poop!
- Bob Furnad On Dog Poop Prank: 'There is no fool like an old fool'
- By Alex Weprin on May 30, 2012 9:47 AM You may recall that last week, news broke that former CNN executive Bob Furnad was busted by his neighbors placing dog poop in their mailbox. As it turns out, he was out of the country when the news broke, ...
- Dog DNA service helps apartments catch poop perpetrators
- She's going to mail it to a DNA laboratory that specializes in dog feces. Then the fugitive pooper will be identified, the dog's owner punished, and a new kind of dung justice will prevail. "It's kind of like the 'CSI' of dog ownership," said Trongard, ...
- German shepherds eat animal poop
- More than one dog owner has told me that when they stopped allowing their dogs to see them picking up the poop around their property, the dogs stopped engaging in coprophagia. Dog, Cat Health Issues Mirror Humans' ? In a review of current major health ...
- Expanded access to McNeill Bay leads to more dog-friendly Oak Bay
- Spear grass remediation and a dog poop bag pilot project was also part of the report. Council has asked Oak Bay parks to figure out costs and locations for the pilot project and bring recommendations back to council in late summer or early fall.
In the country? Compost!
Premade Dog Composters, Enzymes, and Biodegradable Bags for when you travel!
-
Doggie Dooley Deluxe Toilet Prism Pet Waste Disposal System
The Doggie Dooley Toilet is like a miniature septic tank for your dog's waste. This easy-to-install pet waste disposal system utilizes enzyme and bacteria action to reduce your pet's waste to a ground-absorbing liquid
-
Doggie Dooley Super Digester Powder (1 lb.)
Just add water and Doggie Dooley Super Digester Powder puts the power of harmless bacteria and enzymes to work breaking down dog waste into liquefied stools that leach into the soil
-
Four Paws Two Piece Large Rake & Scoop Pooper Scooper Set (37'' pooper scooper (Large Rake)
Great for picking up animal waste around the yard. Large rust resistant scoop and rake with 37" long handles.
-
BioBag Dog Waste Bags on a Roll (40 ct)
BioBag is the world's largest brand of ASTM certified compostable bags. We use certified GMO-Free crops and no polyethylene is used in the production process.
Bark at me!
-
-
Thomscy
Feb 28, 2012 @ 5:06 am | delete
- You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really one thing which I feel I would by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm having a look ahead for your subsequent put up, I will try to get the hold of it! Dog SuppliesDog Supplies
-
-
-
wordstock Dec 31, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
- This is a very good idea that we will need to adopt. Right now, it goes in the trash. We also have a septic tank so flushing it is not a good idea. Thanks and congrats on making the top 100.
-
-
-
Auntiekatkat Dec 31, 2011 @ 9:38 pm | delete
- Congrats on being nominated for Community Favorite Lenses of 2011. A wonderful lens. Fortunately we both share one thing it was easier to vote than for most as mine was my "why-I-am a- vegetarian was nominated as well. A proud moment for all of us.
-
-
-
JoyfulReviewer
Dec 30, 2011 @ 7:12 pm | delete
- Congratulations on being one of the final 100 favorite Squidoo lenses of 2011!
-
-
-
BunnyFabulous
Dec 30, 2011 @ 5:55 pm | delete
- What an excellent idea! I'd never heard of dog poop composting before!
-
-
-
Mickie_G
Dec 30, 2011 @ 5:29 pm | delete
- Before my basset hound disappeared, we threw away his poo with the garbage. I know that is not the best method, but at least we did not put it in plastic grocery bags most of the time. We never allowed him to poop in other neighbors' yards. If he did, we never left it there.
Thanks for sharing this valuable information. Glad I saw it on the 2011 Community Favorites!
-
-
-
KimGiancaterino Dec 30, 2011 @ 2:43 pm | delete
- Congrats on making the Top 100 List. Happy new year!
-
-
-
kiwinana71
Dec 30, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete
- Top lens, excellent idea,you deserved the purple star. I do not have a dog but I am always looking for new ideas on keep the earth healthy. Thanks for sharing. Blessed
-
-
-
BuckHawk
Dec 30, 2011 @ 2:03 pm | delete
- Again, Johann, you bring the environmental responsibility to the canine world. Well done, there!
-
-
-
lisadh
Dec 30, 2011 @ 2:53 am | delete
- I think most people are so used to the idea of picking it up and throwing it away that the idea of composting isn't even on their radar - until now.
-
-
-
ElleDeeEsse
Dec 30, 2011 @ 1:40 am | delete
- Congrats on making the Community Favourites Top 100
-
-
-
Rewards4life Sep 12, 2011 @ 10:38 am | delete
- Great lens very useful and the video really helped. I use a smaller version of this but am thinking of upgrading to save time. I agree that putting it in bags, biodegradable or not, creates a bigger carbon foot print, natural is best.
-
-
-
happynutritionist Sep 4, 2011 @ 9:23 pm | delete
- Well Aspen the Yorkie says hi to Johann the Dog, and that it would take her a LONG time to do enough poop to compost, but we have a BIG dog that likes to visit and leave a present now and then that might work:-) Congrats on the LOTD...I'm still catching up after Hurricane Irene.
-
-
-
Frankster Sep 2, 2011 @ 7:44 pm | delete
- Excellent idea and lens. Could the same thing be done for cats? Congrats on LOTD. Bear hugs, Frankster
-
-
-
JohannTheDog Sep 2, 2011 @ 10:48 pm | delete
- Thanks! Your Q is a big one...lots of debate about composting cat waste and litter. The general consensus seems to be if your cat tests free of toxoplasmosis, then yes! Just remember to keep the composter and compost it away from fruit bearing plants (same with dog waste re: that issue). Toxo isn't as common in cats as some people believe, however it does exist; and can, when left to contaminate rivers & streams, lead to our bodies of water and make water/sea life susceptible. But if your cat is free of toxo (simple test can be done by a DVM) then the answer is yes, we believe.
-
- Load More
by JohannTheDog
Hi, I'm Johann, nice to meet you!
I'm an agility dog, herder, marrow bone lover, green dog, blogger, charity hound & Chief Dog at JohannTheDog.com!
- 154 featured lenses
- Winner of 21 trophies!
- Top lens » Teach your dog to walk on a treadmill!
- This lens »
Won purple star
- This lens » Selected as Lens of the Day
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Pick up some cool stuff for your cool dog!
Follow me on my blog!
More cool stuff for your dog! Hey, they've earned it!
