The Best Dog Poop Bags

Buying Guide

Cleaning up waste is an unavoidable part of pet ownership. If you take your dog to the park or for a walk around the block, you can’t just scoop it up, though. You’ll need a way to tie it up in a way that you can later dispose of it.

That’s where dog poop bags can come in handy. These bags are designed for you to remove your pup’s waste and carry it for a block or two without having to worry about smelling or, worse, touching the waste. You could use a shopping bag, but the plastic on shopping bags is typically thin, making it less likely to disguise smells or remove you enough from the pickup process. Some plastic zipper bags are thick enough, but they’re also clear in color so you and everyone you pass can see what’s inside.

Dog poop bags work to solve all those issues. They’re typically portable, thicker than grocery bags and opaque to conceal the internal contents. But there are pros and cons to dog poop bags that are important to note before you choose a brand.

The most important factor in any dog potty bag is that it’s thick enough to make picking up the waste less displeasing. The thicker, the better, where that’s concerned. But you’ll also want to ensure any odors are neutralized and that the bag is easy to tie up before tossing it in the wastebin when you’re finished with cleanup.

Most dog waste bags come in rolls for a reason. You can slide them into a dispenser, which is either sold with the bags or purchased separately. These dispensers typically include a clip that you simply attach to your dog’s leash to always have it with you during your walk. They’re perforated for easy tear-off, which will come in handy while you’re trying to hold onto your dog’s leash with one hand and pick up the waste with the other. Easy-open bags also come in handy. Some can be nearly impossible to separate with two free hands, let alone while also holding a leash.

• Often dog waste bags are sold in large quantities with multiple rolls. You can save money buying in large quantities like this.
• Some pet waste bags come with a dispenser. You can buy dispensers separately, and you might find that by doing so, you can find one that’s better quality. It can come in handy to have a dispenser that hooks to your leash or belt loop so you don’t have to carry it.
• Odor is obviously a problem with dog poop bags. You can find some that are scented to mask any smells, but you can also find bags that build in odor-neutralizing elements to keep the entire experience as unscented as possible.
• Not all bags are designed well. Spending a little more will be worth it if you won’t have to deal with leaks.
• The bags are sold in individual rolls, but the quantities per roll can vary drastically from one set to another. If you have a roll with only 15 bags, you might find it less convenient than a roll that has 60 bags, which requires you to change the roll far less often.
• Biodegradability is important to many pet owners. You can find plenty of bags with this option, but you’ll also find some made completely from recycled materials. A few even eliminate the cardboard tube from the center to keep them as eco-friendly as possible.
• If your dog has a fenced-in area for his daily bathroom breaks, make sure you clean up as often as possible. This will cut down the tediousness of the chore.
• You can buy sprays that will harden the waste to make it easier to pick up and dispose of.