The 7 Best Garbage Cans for Dog and Cat Poop
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023Do-do is something all pet owners must deal with. Make the process slightly less unpleasant with the best cat and dog poop trash can options.
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Why do you need a dog poop trash can? With very few exceptions (like genius cats), pets don’t use toilets like people. Most dogs go outside, but now and then dogs also poop in the house. When that happens, you’ll need to clean up the dog poop and get rid of the dog smell. There are lots of tips and tricks for pet owners to curb bad behavior.
Even if you have well-trained dogs that know exactly where to poop in the yard, you still need you to establish a genius way to keep the yard clean. Yes, you should always pick up your dog’s poop—it’ll make a huge mess if you don’t and mow the lawn—yuck! And don’t forget about feline fur babies. Cats need their litter box scooped, too!
Cleaning up daily droppings goes beyond controlling odor, it impacts hygiene on multiple levels. Pet waste in the yard, or waste that sits too long in a litter box, poses health risks to all that come in contact with it, including the pets. Picking up and properly disposing of pet waste keeps cats and dogs healthy, prevents the spread of parasites or illness and protects humans, too—especially children. That’s why it’s important to look for a pet poop trash can to keep things neat and clean.
Best Overall Dog Poop Trash Can
Doggie Dooley
Though not exactly what you might expect from a dog poop trash can, the Doggie Dooley provides an outside, in-ground septic option for dog poop. Once installed, simply pick up the poop and drop it inside, with no need for poop bags or emptying the bin on trash day. This backyard pet waste disposal system was created more than 50 years ago, and continues to get top wags from dog lovers for its convenience.
The Doggie Dooley works like an outhouse, which eliminates dealing with a stinky garbage can. The digester, designed specifically for pet poo, won’t harm animals, lawns or shrubs. It uses natural bacteria and enzyme cultures to dissolve dog waste into a liquid, which the ground easily absorbs.
Simply locate a convenient area, dig a hole and place the plastic tank on top. The tank’s lid opens with a foot pedal, so you never need to get close to the opening. Just drop waste inside, add water daily and a digester tablet every week, and the Doggie Dooley does the rest.
Pros
- Amazing value for the price
- No bags or emptying needed
- Natural environmentally-friendly option
- Comes with starter kit of digester tablets (a year supply of digester granules runs $14)
- Appropriate for two big dogs, or four small ones
Cons
- May be difficult for some to dig a hole
- Won’t work in clay soil
Best Budget Dog Poop Trash Can
Hanging Compost Bin With Lid
For a wallet-friendly option to contain soiled cat litter or small dog poop, this Compost Bin makes an outstanding choice. Because it’s designed to contain compost odors, it’s also effective at sealing away pet poop smells. Some reviewers praise this bin and recommend it for soiled cat litter, too. And in case you were wondering: No, you should NEVER include pet waste in compost—here’s what you should include.
The size makes this dog poop trash can convenient for inside cabinets, under the sink, in the bathroom near the cat litter box or on the back porch near the doggy door. It comes in four colors and is available in 5-liter or 7-liter sizes. You can line it with reusable grocery bags, but for pet waste, we recommend sealing each deposit in a poop bag.
Pros
- Wallet-friendly
- Available in four colors and two sizes
- Mounts and fits to cabinet doors
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Won’t hold a lot of weight
Best Cat Poop Trash Can
Litter Genie
Yes, you can use any old trash can for pets, but they probably won’t have the same odor control or convenience as those designed for poopy messes. We love the concept of the Litter Genie, which keeps bad scents at bay. And if you have a multi-pet household, the Litter Genie is a pet-proof trash can that keeps eager dogs out of the cat litter.
This budget-friendly disposal system uses a multi-layer plastic bag: Simply lift the lid, drop the scooped poop inside, and pull the handle to seal in the odor. It holds up to a week’s worth of waste before needing to be emptied.
When it’s time to clear out the Litter Genie, simply open the bottom, cut and tie off the full portion of the bag and deposit in your trash. Cartridges should last for 8 to 10 weeks, and you can purchase them in bulk for a lower cost. The convenience can’t be beat!
Pros
- Easy to use
- Contains odor
- Holds up to a week’s worth of waste
Cons
- Multiple cats fill up bags quickly
- Cartridges are an added expense
Best Dog Poop Trash Can for Multiple Dogs
Zero Waste Yard Buddy
For people with several dogs, the Zero Waste Yard Buddy provides lots of storage as an outdoor dog poop trash can. If your neighbors sometimes show rude habits like not picking up dog poop, get one for your community or the local park to keep the area clean.
It’s made of aluminum with a solid bottom and air flow holes on the sides. The trash can comes with doggy poop bags and a dispenser for convenience. An adjustable post lets you choose the perfect mounting placement, and a lid keeps rain out. Place the large garbage bag inside to collect the individual poo-bags for easy disposal later. It also comes with a convenient pooper-scooper and rake for hands-free cleaning.
Pros
- Jumbo size holds lots of waste
- Made of non-rust aluminum
- 400 poop bags and dispenser included
- 25 bag liners included
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires digging a hole for the post
Best Portable Dog Poop Trash Can
PetFusion Outdoor Pet Waste Disposal
Any trash can collects dog poop, but getting rid of it later is the real challenges. The PetFusion Waste Disposal answers the concern about smart ways to clean up dog poop. If you have large yards, rather than carry each individual “creation” back to the can, the PetFusion lets you transport the container to each soiled site.
Built to withstand outside weather with a UV coating, the lightweight design and convenient handle make this portable potty easy to use. The removable inner bucket holds the poop-bagged waste until ready to empty. A locking handle and silicone gasket contains odor, plus a non-toxic charcoal filter fits in the lid to absorb smells and lasts up to six months.
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Weather-resistant
- Odor controlling seal and charcoal filter
- Made from recycled materials
- Dog-proof garbage can for pet waste
Cons
- Runs small, best for a single little dog
- Seal causes condensation inside
Best Indoor Dog Poop Trash Can
Diaper Genie
The Diaper Genie has gotten so many rave reviews from parents that pet parents have started using it as a cat and dog poop trash can! Smells anywhere makes us cringe, but bad aromas inside the house are particularly appalling. The Diaper Genie hands down offers the best odor control of waste, whether from human infants or your fur baby.
Similar in design to the Litter Genie, the pail comes with an “easy roll” of 18 baggies to collect dog or cat poop. Press the foot pedal to open the lid, drop in the waste, and the lid seals in odor. To empty, pull up the ends of the bag, tie in a knot, and tear off at the perforation to remove from the roll to discard.
Each Diaper Genie bag holds up to 47 newborn-size diapers, which translates into at least that number of poop bags or scoops of cat waste. The product comes with a refill bag able to contain 846 newborn-sized deposits, and lasts up to five months. And if you have a dog that munches on poop, it doubles as a pup-proof trash can.
Pros
- Ideal for indoor odor control
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Includes bag refill
Cons
- Best for single or small pets
- Some reviews complain of fragile pedal hinge
Best Outdoor Dog Poop Station
Doggie Doo Drain Pet Waste Removal
If you hate the thought of any dog poop container, you’ll adore the Doggie Doo Drain removal system. Designed by a plumber, the plastic funnel-shaped guide screws directly onto your sewer or septic clean-out pipe. To use, unscrew the top to open, drop the dog poop directly into the sewer line, and your septic system takes care of the rest.
The Doggie Doo Drain can handle waste from any size dog, including multiple pets. After dropping in the waste, rinse with the hose to prevent any blockage and close the lid. In cold weather, a pitcher of warm water poured down the pipe keeps things moving. Dog waste left in the yard gets absorbed into the ground or washed into storm drains. This system treats dog poop in an environmentally-responsible way, eliminating the need for plastic bags that clog your sewer.
Pros
- Convenient option that uses existing septic/sewer clean-out pipe
- No need to dig a hole
- No enzymes or additives needed
- Eliminates poop bags
- Environmentally-friendly
Cons
- Only works with 3- and 4-inch sewer/septic clean-out
- Not appropriate for cat poop from litter box
What to Consider When Buying a Trash Can For Dog Poop
Dealing with dog and cat waste means hygiene tops the list for the best trash can for poop. Go for products that offer no-hand access to the container. Also, look for convenience and an easy way to empty and clean the trash can, so you won’t struggle to use the product.
Look for trash cans that control odor effectively. An outdoor container gives your nose a bit of a break, but for indoor container systems, choose something with odor control that stores easily behind a door or cupboard, and also provides a child-proof or pet-proof closure.
How We Chose the Best Trash Can for Dog Poop
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
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