Composting Dog Poo Safely: Vet Advice 2025 🩺🌿 — What to Know Before You Start, by Dr Duncan Houston

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

🐶 Dog ownership is one of life’s greatest joys — but with that joy comes a few less glamorous duties, including cleaning up after our furry companions. And if you’re an eco-conscious pet owner, you might be wondering: can I compost my dog’s poo safely and sustainably? 🌍

As a veterinarian and environmental advocate, I’m here to guide you through the science, safety, and practicality of composting dog waste in 2025. While it can be a great option for some, it’s not for everyone — and that’s okay! Let’s break it down together. 🩺💚

🌱 1. Why Compost Dog Poo at All?

Composting dog poo can transform a waste problem into a useful resource. When done correctly, it reduces landfill waste, cuts methane emissions, and produces a soil-enriching compost for ornamental plants and landscapes. 🌾

However, it’s not as simple as throwing everything into a compost bin. Dog waste contains bacteria, parasites, and sometimes medication residues that require careful handling. Composting safely takes planning, space, and commitment. ⚠️

🧬 2. Not All Dog Waste Is Created Equal

Dogs’ diets and health affect how suitable their waste is for composting. High-quality, balanced diets produce waste that breaks down more effectively. But other factors can complicate things:

• 🐕‍🦺 Raw-fed dogs – may shed pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli that persist in compost.
• 💊 Dogs on medication – excrete traces of drugs that can impact microorganisms, insects, and even plants.
• 🪱 Parasites and bacteria – including Toxocara canis and Giardia, pose health risks to humans and wildlife if not neutralised.

Vet insight 🩺: If your dog is raw-fed or on long-term medication, avoid composting their waste. Use eco-friendly disposal instead, like Woopf 50% Recycled Plastic Bags in general waste bins. ♻️

🔥 3. Composting Dog Poo Safely — Getting the Science Right

Dog poo composting needs high heat — at least 60°C — to kill harmful pathogens and parasites. This requires a properly managed, insulated composting bin, regular aeration, and the right carbon-to-nitrogen balance. 🧪

For example, mix two parts dog poo (nitrogen) with one part sawdust or dry leaves (carbon). This helps maintain temperature and odour control while speeding up breakdown. 🌿

Turn your compost weekly, monitor heat with a thermometer, and keep it covered. Once fully decomposed into dark, crumbly soil, use it only on non-edible plants. 🌷

Important: Never use dog poo compost on vegetables or herbs. Even with high heat, pathogens like Toxocara eggs may survive. 🚫🥕

🏡 4. You’ll Need Space, Time, and a Dedicated Setup

Composting dog waste requires its own dedicated system — separate from household compost used for food scraps. Ideally, place your compost bin in a sunny area, away from play spaces, edible gardens, and watercourses. 🌞

Not all owners have the space, time, or capacity for this — and that’s okay. If composting doesn’t fit your lifestyle, there are still great sustainable alternatives (I’ll cover those shortly). 💚

🧴 5. What About Compostable Poo Bags?

It’s tempting to think compostable poo bags make things easier — but be careful. The Big Compost Experiment by University College London found that up to 60% of certified home-compostable plastics failed to degrade fully in household compost. 🧫

Most “compostable” bags are made from PBAT, PLA, and cornstarch — meaning they still contain fossil-based plastic and need very specific conditions to decompose. They don’t add nutrients to compost and often stay intact for months. 🏷️

Vet advice 🩺: If you use compostable bags, choose genuinely certified home compostable ones, and make sure your compost reaches adequate temperatures. Avoid industrial-only bags — they won’t break down in home systems. ❌

🌿 6. The Safer Eco Alternatives If You Don’t Compost

If composting isn’t practical for you — no guilt! You can still make eco-friendly choices that reduce your footprint. 🐾

♻️ Woopf 50% Recycled Plastic Poo Bags

These bags are made from existing waste materials — plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill or the ocean. Their production uses less energy, produces fewer emissions, and helps close the recycling loop. They’re durable, hygienic, and perfect for general waste disposal. 🌎

🌱 Woopf 100% Compostable Poo Bags

If you do have a safe composting setup, these bags are ideal. They break down in soil within around 90 days without leaving microplastics or toxins behind. They’re also certified non-toxic and made from sustainable, GMO-free plant sources. 🌾

🌊 Why Woopf Bags Are Different

Unlike many brands, Woopf avoids misleading “biodegradable” claims. Our eco range is science-based — whether it’s compostable for home use or recycled for general disposal, every bag is designed for real-world conditions. 🩺

🌏 7. Environmental and Ethical Considerations

When evaluating composting, remember the broader context: sustainability isn’t just about what happens in your garden — it’s also about the materials we use and the systems we support. 🌍

• 🌳 Composting – Reduces landfill waste but requires resources and vigilance.
• ♻️ Recycling – Makes use of existing waste and prevents further extraction of raw materials.
• 🧠 Education – Understanding the limits of “eco” marketing helps avoid unintentional harm.

💩 8. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Composting Dog Waste

• 🚫 Mixing pet waste with kitchen compost — always keep separate.
• 🔥 Failing to reach 60°C — without enough heat, pathogens survive.
• 💧 Letting it get too wet — slows breakdown and causes odour.
• 🥦 Using compost on edibles — increases risk of contamination.

Handled correctly, composting can be safe and rewarding — but skipping key steps can turn a green idea into a public health risk. 🧪

🧠 9. Is Composting Right for You?

Ask yourself these quick questions:

• 🏡 Do I have outdoor space for a compost bin away from play areas?
• 🌡️ Am I prepared to monitor temperature and manage compost weekly?
• 🧤 Am I comfortable handling dog waste directly?

If you answered “no” to most of these — don’t worry! Eco living is about finding what works best for your situation. Recycled and waste-based bags may be your ideal sustainable solution. ♻️

💬 10. Vet’s Final Thoughts

Composting dog poo can be a safe, eco-conscious practice — but it’s not for everyone. For many, it’s simpler and equally responsible to use science-backed eco alternatives like Woopf 50% Recycled Plastic Bags ♻️ for landfill or Woopf 100% Compostable Bags 🌿 for garden compost systems. 🩺🐕

What matters most is that you pick up every time, dispose responsibly, and choose products designed for your reality — not marketing promises. Together, we can make pet care and planet care work hand in paw. 🌎🐾

📱 Ask A Vet Recommendation

Need help deciding whether composting is right for you or which eco bag best suits your lifestyle? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet App 📲. Our team of vets offers personalised, evidence-based advice to support your pet’s health and sustainability goals. 💚

Written by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, 2025