Composting Dog Poop: Yes, I’m Serious

Posted on Feb 17 2012 - 1:08am by Mike Lieberman

How can that title not grab your attention?

Grotesque?

Foul?

Maybe, but it’s also possible to compost your dog’s poop.

I came across the post on Rainbow Worms’ blog. Here is an excerpt:

I thought I would share some Photos of my Doggie Poo Compost. I have two dogs which have no concept of moderation. LOL. I use recycled wine barrels each barrel is in a different stage of composting. I don’t use this compost on my vegetable Garden, but rather in my flower beds , and Lawn. I mix shredded Paper with the doggie Poo. I’m using a mix of composting worms. Mostly European Night Crawlers, I was using Indian Blue but last winter was so cold they were almost wiped out. They do a great job turning the waste product in to usable compost. I think this is a great way of keeping the pathogens out of our landfills and water supply. Compost Happens.. — Read the full “Doogie Poo Compost” post

To be clear, you shouldn’t use it in your vegetable garden and only use it in your flower beds.

It’s definitely not on the what to compost list.

Not sure this is something that I’d do in a small space. I’d definitely consider if I had a larger space where I can keep it far, far away. Far away.

It’s not actionable for most of us, but I thought it was interesting enough to share and good conversation starter at your next social gathering.

Your Turn

How will you introduce this into a discussion at your next social gathering?

Photo courtesy of Parker Yo! on Flickr.

15 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. Tris February 17, 2012 at 7:40 am -

    Well, ya learn something new every day.  I always thought that you couldn’t compost dog do because there are meat products in their food.  Sheep and cow poop, sure, because they are herbivores but never dog poop.  So, although I don’t have a dog myself, several of my neighbors in the complex do.  I got to giggling when thinking about asking them to save their dog poop for me and dropping it off in a container on my patio.  heehee!  No, it’s not going to happen but it was funny to think about.  I’ll keep this idea in mind if we ever get our own house because house/yard will equal a dog for us!  Thanks, Mike, for the giggle, the thought process that led to the giggle and the information.

  2. Jennah February 17, 2012 at 8:15 am -

    They actually sell a product for this that we tried: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BZGUGY?ie=UTF8&tag=jensgar-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=B003BZGUGY&ref_=sr_1_13&qid=1329495154&sr=8-13

    It didn’t really work for us because we couldn’t find an out of the way spot that stayed dry enough that the sides of the thing wouldn’t collapse. I want to try it again this summer, though, because if we can find the right spot it’ll eliminate the gross ‘take the bucket o’ poo to the dump’ routine.

  3. Mike Lieberman February 17, 2012 at 8:26 am -

    Hahaha. Glad I can supply a giggle…just don’t use that compost in your veg garden.

  4. Mike Lieberman February 17, 2012 at 8:28 am -

    Yea walking around with bucket o poo can’t be fun.

  5. David Csonka February 17, 2012 at 8:46 am -

    If the dogs were eating a natural canine diet of mostly meat and animal parts, then sure. I would consider it. 

    But the stuff that most dogs eat now-a-days is kibble, which is mostly indigestible junk. When piles of poo sit on the ground for weeks without disappearing, it makes you wonder why the natural composters and bugs are ignoring it.

  6. DoggyDayz February 17, 2012 at 9:16 am -

    I’ve read not to deposit dog poo in the worm Composter after you’ve treated Fido with a de-wormer. Wait a few days to resume feeding your worms.

  7. Lindaberryman February 17, 2012 at 9:17 am -

    Still a good thought for dog owners with homes and flower beds.

  8. Rochelle Jansen February 17, 2012 at 11:33 am -

    What about bokashi? It is a fermenting process using anaerobic bacteria. Have you heard anything about this method for composting dog waste?

  9. Christina February 18, 2012 at 10:41 am -

    We tried a Bokashi system for a few months and loved it (will reinstitute with a Little more space) We plan on being in a house in a year and a separate Bokashi system for the cat litter is on the top of the list for garden compost projects.

  10. Mike Lieberman February 18, 2012 at 11:20 am -

    True. True.

  11. Sara May 19, 2012 at 6:27 am -

    You used the wrong fowl – fowl is bird, foul is gross.

  12. Mike Lieberman May 20, 2012 at 1:04 pm -

    Thanks. Corrected.

  13. John Malcolm April 1, 2013 at 10:08 am -

    I’m trying night crawlers in one of my two sunken, gravel bottom bins. This is the first day, so i’ll check it in a week and see if the critters are still alive.

  14. Lotta June 29, 2013 at 2:34 pm -

    Really? When my dog eats kibble only, she produces very little poop, which I have been told is a sign that they use/digest almost all of their food. But when I supplement with meat/animal parts, she produces a lot more… I have thought of either trying this in a small container (on my balcony!), or ask my building coop if I can put it in our large shared compost (which is used for flowers etc.). Don’t like to produce unnecessary garbage that won’t be recycled in some way (which is what happens with it now)… But, just so that’s clear, I have a small dog, a yorkie, so the total amount is small (which is why I thought it might be possible)… I could use it on my flowers and trees that I have in pots on the balcony (in addition to the finely ground, dried tea from used tea bags they already get and LOVE, it’s fantastic plant food, important to grind it in a food processor or similar though, so you don’t get fly problems!)…

  15. melissa May 23, 2014 at 1:05 pm -

    This is very intriguing. I have 3 poopy pants dogs…maybe I will try this. I mean it is gross, but dog poop is gross whether I am composting it or just picking it up in my yard or on walks.

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