Best Dog Poop Bags and Poop Bag Holders of 2026
bags for packing out our pup’s poo and holders for Not leaving it at the trailhead
April 1st, 2026
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Check out the best dog poop bags to leave on the side of the trail on your next hike with your dog. Because dog poop in a plastic bag left out in the elements will just decompose, right?
Just kidding, please don’t leave your used dog poop bags on the side of the trail. Seriously, no one wants to see little plastic pouches of dog dookie on the side of an otherwise pristine trail.
Even worse than leaving your poop bag on an out-and-back trail to be picked up when you return? Not picking it up on the way back. And let’s be real, most people either forget to pick up poop bags on the way back, or someone else on the trail has already done the dirty work for you (pun intended).
Cleaning up after your dog does its business is essential for the environment. Dog waste doesn’t easily break down in the soil without proper composting, and it can take up to a year to fully break down. Dogs can also carry diseases and medications that can harm wildlife, and leaving their waste on a trail can spread these diseases through the water and soil. Choosing a dog poop bag that’s durable and leakproof will ensure that you don’t end up with a mess on your hands (literally) when cleaning up after your dog in the outdoors.
We tested the following dog poop bags on daily walks, hikes, park visits, and even camping trips. Some of our testers have also worked in dog-specific fields, and have tested dog poop bags around a variety of dog breeds and sizes (read: different-sized dumps).
We looked for dog poop bags that offered durability, thickness, odor control, ease of tearing from the roll, dispenser functionality, environmental impact, and value.
The best overall dog poop bags are the Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags. These bags are highly durable, leakproof, easy to open, are reasonably priced, and are made of 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic.
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Comparison table
| DOG POOP PRODUCT | TREELINE AWARD | MATERIALS | THICKNESS | COMPOSTABLE? | SCENTED? | PRICE/ UNIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earth Rated Dog Poop Bas | Best Overall Bags Read why |
65% post-consumer recycled plastic and 35% virgin plastic | 15 microns thick (approximately 0.015 mm) | Standard | Unscented, lavender-scented, and peach & lotus scented | 4.1 cents to 6.6 cents per bag |
| beyondGREEN Compostable Dog Waste Bags | Best Eco-friendly Read why |
Plant-based polymer | Thin to moderate | Yes | No | $0.12 - 0.17 |
| PET N PET Dog Poop Bags | Best Bags for Large Dogs Read why |
Bio-plastic and polyethylene | Moderate to thick | No | Either | $0.02 - 0.05 |
| Pet Faves Eco-friendly Dog Poop Bags | Best Scented Bags Read why |
Polymer made with corn starch | Very thin | Yes | Yes | $0.06 |
| dooloop Dog Waste Bag Holder | Best Holder for Used Bags Read why |
BPA-Free Plastic | N/A | Recyclable | N/A | $8.33 - 8.99 |
The winners
Best overall dog poop bags: Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): Bags
Material: 65% post-consumer recycled plastic and 35% virgin plastic
Thickness: 15 microns thick (approximately 0.015 mm)
Size of bags: 9 inches x 13 inches
Scented or unscented: Unscented, lavender-scented, and peach & lotus scented
Compostable or standard: Standard
Roll size / bag count: 15 bags per roll, options for 120, 270, or 600 count
Best for: All dogs and owners
Price (MSRP): $8 for 120 bags, about 4.1 cents to 6.6 cents per bag depending on quantity
Dog(s) tested on: Malamutes, Rough Collies, two different Labradors, and a Border Collie mix
Pros: Perforated sticker to start the roll; 3 bags left sticker so you know when you’re running low, scented and unscented options; durable and leakproof
Cons: Slightly more expensive than some 100% virgin plastic bags; unscented bags don’t completely block odor
Earth Rated bags were the undisputed favorite amongst other dog-owning Treeline staff, and they’re my personal favorite, too. I’m a dog trainer, I own two dogs, and in the past I worked at a kennel taking care of 14+ Alaskan Malamutes. I’ve picked up a LOT of poop in my lifetime. I’ve tried everything to pick up dog poop: traditional poop scoopers, scoopers that look like a claw, scoopers with a built-in bag, and good ol’ dog poop bags.
Embarrassingly, I also have a horribly weak stomach. If poop gets on my hand or on my body at all, I WILL gag. Even worse if it’s a wet poop when the dog has a stomach ache. And who wants to deal with throwing up while you’re already dealing with dog poop?
Earth Rated bags are the only bags that have never let me down. After multiple years of using them, I’ve never had one rip on me. They’re incredibly durable and leakproof, even if your dog drops massive dumps. The unscented ones don’t do the best job of blocking odor, but the scented ones (go for the peach & lotus option) are good enough to hide the stench from your nose if your dog does the unthinkable: unloads some timber when you’re too far from the trailhead trashcan on a multi-mile hike.
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
If you don’t like scented poop bags, Earth Rated also sells unscented odor-blocking poop bags that are particularly good for hiking and backpacking since they block unpleasant smells without adding any fragrance.
- Jae Thomas, Contributing Writer
Best eco-friendly dog poop bags: Beyond Green Dog Poop Bags
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): Bags
Material: Plant-derived polymer
Thickness: Thin to moderate
Scented or unscented: Unscented
Compostable or standard: Home compostable
Roll size / bag count: 15 bags/roll
Dispenser attachment style: N/A
Best for: Large dogs, eco-friendly
Price (MSRP): $8 for 3 rolls, $13.50 for 6 rolls, $17 for 8 rolls, $30 for 16 rolls, $90 for 50 rolls
Dog(s) tested on: Husky/malamute, pointer mix
Pros: At-home compostable, affordable price, decent thickness, works for large dogs
Cons: Hard to tear bags off the roll, quality is inconsistent
The most eco-friendly dog poop bags are the bags you already have on hand and most likely already throw away each week (see our budget pick!). These include bread bags, tortilla bags, produce bags, and any other plastic bags you happen to have at home. To avoid plastic altogether with poop bags is hard, but not impossible, thanks to innovative brands like Pooch Paper, but these are difficult to use for hikes or long walks since they don’t completely seal.
There are many brands that offer compostable poop bags, some of which are on this list, but among the best are the Beyond Green Dog Poop bags. Made in the USA, each roll contains 15 bags made from plant-based biopolymer film that is at-home compostable. They’re compatible with most poop bag dispensers, but our chief complaint with these bags is that you need to tear them off the roll carefully. Otherwise, you risk ripping through the bag.
Beyond Green bags are certified and tested for both at-home and industrial composting facilities and are a part of the Green Business Certification Network.
Beyond Green Dog Poop Bags
Beyond Green also sells an at-home composter that can compost pet waste. So, if you’re serious about reducing plastic waste and don’t want to send dog poop to the landfill any longer, an at-home composter like this one is a good option.
- Meg Carney, Contributing Writer
Best thick dog poop bags for large dogs: Pet N Pet Dog Poop Bags
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): Bags
Material: Bio-plastic and polyethylene
Thickness: Moderate to thick
Scented or unscented: Available in both unscented and lavender
Compostable or standard: Partially biodegradable
Roll size / bag count: 18 bags/roll
Dispenser attachment style: N/A
Best for: Large dogs, eco-friendly poop bags
Price (MSRP): $14 for 15 rolls; $16 for 30 rolls; $24 for 60 rolls
Dog(s) tested on: Standard poodle
Pros: Sturdy, non-leaking, opaque, unscented and don’t smell like plastic, large
Cons: Prolonged exposure to heat speeds up the biodegradable process; the tear perforation between bags very occasionally tears one of the bags.
My pet family and I have used Pet N Pet Dog Poop Bags for years. The bags are unscented (with lavender as an option if you want them scented), USDA-certified bio-based, and available in green, orange, and black. The bags are made of 41% plant-based materials and the packaging and roll core are made of recycled materials. The bags are big enough to easily manage any job, and the rolls fit on all standard-size leash dispensers.
Pet N Pet Dog Poop Bags
Each bag has a tear perforation and an “open” arrow for quick and easy use in the field. Despite the challenge of caring for an elderly 75-pound Standard Poodle with bouts of colitis, these bags always gave me exactly what I needed. None of these bags have ever leaked, and there is enough material to secure all pet messes and still be able to tie a knot without anything untoward touching me.
And because I'll be a backpacker forever, I've brought these doggie bags with me on the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail, and Continental Divide Trail as opaque zip bag liners for packing out toilet paper. They worked like a charm!
- Aubri Drake, Contributing Writer
Best scented dog poop bags: Pet Faves
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): Roll of Bags with dispenser
Material: Biodegradable/compostable material made with corn starch
Thickness: Very thin
Scented or unscented: Lavender scented
Compostable or standard: Biodegradable
Roll size / bag count: Come in a Box of 10 Rolls, 15 Bags per roll, 150 bags total
Dispenser attachment style: Center hole for use with dispensers
Best for: Walks in public spaces where stinky poop is embarrassing to hold.
Price (MSRP): $8.50
Dog(s) tested on: Ace, Stella, Sunny, Wally, Darby, Maebel, Buzz, Gus, Buttercup and Molly varying in size from 12-95 pounds.
Pros: Lightweight and has some light stretch to the bag, easy to tie off, lavender scent is pleasant, extra long bags 9x13 inches
Cons: Thin and can tear if you are in a rosebush with thorns
I am always averse to using bags that smell like food I might enjoy eating for dog poop, so these lavender scented bags are a win for me. They are extra long so they easily tie onto a leash for easy access. I like carrying these with a bone-shaped holder and rolling one out as needed. They are large enough to handle every poopy situation that I have dealt with so far and even can be used for some of those double poop incidents. The long bags are easy to tie off when you are done cleaning up after your dog. They have a little bit of stretch to them which I think helps with durability.
I haven’t had issues with bags ripping or tearing off the roll like I have with some other brands. They are biodegradable, so you do have to be careful where you store the rolls in your car—consistent exposure to the sun will make them biodegrade, this usually happens over a period of weeks.
My partner has very large hands and can’t use some of the other brands of smaller bags, (clears throat). I bought these extra large bags since he was unable to pick up poop with the other bags. Now we can both help out on dog walks when our dogs do business.
I wasn’t super loyal to a brand before and would just order whatever was cheap and now I specifically look for these. I have gone through several boxes of them.
The bone-shaped dispenser that comes with it clips onto a leash so you always have bags ready to go for walks. There is no excuse to be caught without bags with this system.
- Sara Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator and Contributing Writer
Pet Faves
Best used poop bag holder: DooLoop
Type: Clip-on
Material: BPA-free plastic
Capacity: 1-5 used waste bags (plus, it can hold a spare roll of empty bags
Attachment method: Clip, carabiner, etc.
Pros: easy to attach to a leash or waist leash, hip belt, or pack; lightweight; nearly durable and fullproof (I’ve never had one break); comes in different color options
Cons: minimalist, tends to swing around on the leash (depending on your dog’s doo-doo)
Made in Maine by a woman-owned business, the DooLoop is all you need, and nothing you don’t. The freeform closed-loop poo bag holder is crafted with recyclable, nontoxic, BPA-free plastic materials. It’s minimalist, easy to attach to any leash, and no-frills, yet it can hold multiple “used”/ full poop bags. You can also attach a few empty bags to it as well. This is not high-tech—and arguably, a poop bag holder doesn’t need to be.
- Mary Murphy, Contributing Writer and Editor
DooLoop
Best poop bag holder with built-in storage: Wilderdog Dog Walking Utility Pack
Type: Waist pack
Material: Cotton/Polyester
Capacity: 2.5 liters
Attachment method: Built-in poop bag dispenser
Pros: Has three separate compartments for treats, poop bags, and everyday carry items like your phone and keys; can be worn around the waist or crossbody; webbing strap on front to attach portable bowls or other small gear; durable materials
Cons: Limited fit; adjustable strap only goes from 33-48 inches
The Wilderdog Utility Pack is technically a waist pack with a built-in poop bag dispenser, but it’s worth taking a look at if you’re in the market for a poop bag holder. This has been my go-to dog pack for the past 6 years, because of its durability, spacious design, and thoughtful dog-forward features.
The Utility pack features three separate compartments: a small front compartment with a built-in rubber poop bag dispenser, a medium compartment that’s ideal for dog treats, and a large top section that works well to hold your phone, keys, wallet, or a portable dog bowl for hikes and long park trips.
Wilderdog Dog Walking Utility Pack
If you frequently train your dog and need to carry treats with you or simply don’t want to have everything in your pockets on walks, this is a great way to hold your dog poop bags and all your other dog adventure essentials.
- Kai Burkhardt, Contributing Writer
Best clip-on poop bag dispenser for leashes: Wilderdog Poop Bag Holder
Type: Clip-on poop bag dispenser for leash
Material: Heavy-duty, water-resistant poly-cotton outer fabric
Capacity: 1 regular-sized roll of poop bags
Attachment method: Two small carabiners to attach to a leash
Pros: Durable materials, soft and flexible, so it can’t break if you drop it on the ground, two clips so it doesn’t dangle
Cons: Some wear-and-tear after years of use
The Wilderdog Poop Bag holder has been a favorite of mine, especially as I am not gentle with my dog’s leash or whatever is attached to it. Before this flexible poop bag holder, I had trashed too many plastic ones that broke as soon as the leash slipped out of my hand and smacked the pavement.
Wilderdog Poop Bag Holder
This dispenser is made from a durable, heavy-duty fabric that—after at least two years of use—shows some wear and tear, but it hasn’t affected usability at all. The only noticeable weathering is on the edges of the fabric, but not on the rubber-reinforced dispensing hole, the zippers, or the attachment points to the carabiners. Having two places to clip this to your leash is also nice, so it isn’t just dangling freely, and it can't rip off as easily with two points of contact.
The holder comes in four colors: olive, teal, pink, and blue.
- Mattie Schuler, Contributing Writer
Best budget dog poop bags: BioBag Produce Bags
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): bag
Material: NaturBag or BioBag compostable poly plastic
Thickness: Thin (1 out of 5)
Scented or unscented: Unscented
Compostable or standard: Compostable (usually, check with local store)
Roll size / bag count: As many as you want! (doesn’t come on a roll, grab individually)
Dispenser attachment style: N/A
Best for: Those on a budget, emergencies, spares, picking up doo-doo in a pinch
Price (MSRP): FREE
Dog(s) tested on: My last 3-4 dogs, at least
Pros: FREE, fairly large size
Cons: not as odor-proof, unpredictable availability, requires coming up with your own holder/storage solution
I have a set of reusable mesh produce bags, but somehow always end up with a few of the green plastic produce bags in my grocery haul as well. Sometimes I keep them to cover/wrap up herbs, or wash and re-use for saving produce throughout the week. If they don’t get used in the kitchen, though, they go into a catch-all pile. Hello, free dog bags!
Remember, nothing quite says “budget” like free! If you live in the States or elsewhere where plastic shopping bags are still a thing, those work too. Stash them in a pouch, small basket, your utility room, or leave a few in your car as spares if you ever run out of your regular supply of poop bags. I work and volunteer with dogs, have a dog at home, dog sit, and am around dogs all the time—buying rolls of dog poop bags can add up, and this method works just fine in a pinch.
- Mary Murphy, Contributing Writer and Editor
BioBag Produce Bags
Best dog poop bag to use in place of a wag bag for human waste: Downtown Pet Supply Dog Poop Bags with Dispenser
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): Combo, but toss that dispenser to save weight
Material: Plastic
Thickness: A little too thin for 96 hours' worth of poop
Scented or unscented: Unscented, unfortunately
Compostable or standard: Standard
Roll size / bag count: 180 bags
Dispenser attachment style: Plastic clip
Best for: Dog poop
Price (MSRP): $8.24
Dog(s) tested on: None, only tested for human poo
Pros: Cheaper than wag bags, available in stores that don’t sell Wag Bags, comes with 180 bags
Cons: Too thin for baking in the hot sun while dangling off your pack for five days
The Downtown Pet Supply Dog Poop Bags with Dispenser are perfect for use in place of a Wag Bag for human waste. Let me do some math for you. A single wag bag costs what? Like $9? And an entire roll of these puppies costs $8.24. Plus, they sell bags like these at dollar stores, whereas you have to go to a special outfitter to get ONE WAG BAG! You following me? Wag Bags are a scam!
Downtown Pet Supply Dog Poop Bags with Dispenser
I used the Downtown Pet Supply Bags in place of a wag bag on a 5-day packrafting and backpacking trip in a remote, beautiful canyon in southern Utah. If I had used wag bags, that would have cost like $45. But since I used these bags, I saved a lot of money. Sure, my hiking partners kept telling me they could smell my poop when they were walking behind me, so I had to walk in the back for the last three days. But the views of the massive canyon walls were epic, and I saved so much money! Then I had to hitchhike back to my car, with a deflated packraft covered in sand, a backpack full of gear caked in dirt, and five very full poop bags with cute little paw prints dangling off the back. Fortunately, the guys who gave me a ride had enough room in their trunk for my poopy pack, and these poop bags really are leak-proof.
- Sam Schild, voicing an anonymous friend
Best poop bag when you forgot to bring poop bags: Darn Tough Socks (or anything else you are willing to sacrifice)
Product type (bags / dispenser / combo): Improvised “bag”
Material: Cotton/wool/bamboo/synthetic
Thickness: Depends how nice your socks are
Scented or unscented: Previously worn (so… dealer’s choice)
Compostable or standard: Depends on material of socks (100% natural materials like cotton, wool, or bamboo are likely compostable)
Roll size / bag count: 0-2
Dispenser attachment style: N/A
Best for: “Oh no” moments, public parks, making eye contact with strangers while pretending everything is fine
Price (MSRP): Varies
Dog(s) tested on: Siku (Mini Australian Shepherd) hasn’t forced me to use a sock yet… but we’ve come close
Pros: Usually available (you’re probably wearing two), surprisingly durable, teaches personal responsibility
Cons: You’re sacrificing a sock (that “poop bag” is straight to the garbage, for me), possibly not leak-proof, requires a level of commitment most people aren’t ready for
There are two types of dog owners: those who have forgotten poop bags… and those who will.
There is nothing quite as humbling as forgetting a poop bag, especially in a public place. We’ve all been there. You get halfway through your walk, your dog finds the perfect spot, and suddenly you're doing the pocket pat-down of shame.
At this point, you probably have about three options:
1. Do a “pretend” pickup, scan for witnesses, and quickly exit the scene (carry the guilt forever).
2. Try to fashion something out of leaves, rocks, or sticks (bold, but risky).
3. Accept your fate and sacrifice a sock.
If you’re going the sock route, I recommend something thick, durable, and expendable… like a worn-out pair of hiking socks. Bonus points if they are already on their last leg.
I recommend you go ahead and invest in some Darn Tough socks. They are guaranteed for life… not that you’d be able to cash in on the guarantee due to a poop incident. BUT, you likely got a good solid few years out of them, AND they are hole-free.
Moral of the story, buy Darn Tough socks now. Always wear your most expendable Darn Toughs on your morning walks.
Darn Tough Socks
The good news is that after you forget poop bags, you are granted perfect poop bag memory for at least a couple of weeks (or until the weather changes and you switch up your standard dog walking attire.)
Might we recommend a Wilderdog Poop Bag Holder that’s easy to attach to any leash? Might save you some socks and embarrassment.
- Amy Gravlee, Contributing Writer and Copyeditor
Other poop bags and dispensers we tested
Greener Walker Dog Poop Bags
These eco-friendly bags were some of the worst we’ve tried because they’re smaller than standard bags, extremely thin, and prone to ripping. Once, while working at the Malamute kennel, we used one of these bags to pick up a massive dump. On the walk to the trash can (maybe 500 feet), the bag ripped and its contents fell out, all over my pants and shoes. I smelled disgusting for the rest of the day. 0/10 recommend.
However, these bags are one of the cheapest eco-friendly dog poop bags on the market, so if you’re willing to deal with potential rips, they’re a budget-friendly, eco-conscious choice.
- Jae Thomas, Contributing Writer
What to look for in dog poop bags
Strength and thickness
Choose a dog poop bag that’s thick enough that it doesn’t rip, and thick enough that your hand feels protected during doggy duty. No one wants a ripped poop bag (or its contents) on their hands.
Leak protection
If your dog has a stomach ache or is prone to loose stools, leak protection is of the utmost importance. Especially if you’re on a hike, a backpacking trip or a multi-day car camping trip where you’re packing out all your waste, opting for strong dog poop bags that won’t leak will keep smell and mess to a minimum while adventuring with your dog.
Easy opening
Bags should separate easily from the roll, shouldn’t rip when starting a new roll or taking a seal sticker off, and should open up easily without feeling stuck or staticky.
Size
Choose a dog poop bag size that’s complimentary to the size of your dog. Don’t be that guy that has to use multiple bags to pick up your Great Dane’s business. Just get an XL bag size instead if you need extra space.
Environmental impact
Compostable materials reduce waste footprint, while post-consumer plastic dog poop bags offer some recyclable materials. Avoid 100% virgin plastic bags if possible.
What to look for in poop bag holders
Attachment system
Choose an attachment system that works for your main use cases. If you typically only go for calm walks with your dog, a poop bag holder that connects to a leash via a carabiner clip will be fine. If you go on strenuous hikes or runs with your pup, you may not want the poop bag dispenser flopping around on your leash, in which case a holder that connects via Velcro, a hip belt, or elastic straps may be better.
Ease of dispensing
The poop bag holder should be big enough that each bag can be pulled out smoothly. Dispensers that are too small for your poop bag roll may jam.
Durability
The fabric or plastic of the dog poop bag holder should be durable enough to withstand daily outdoor use.
Storage
Some holders include compartments for treats or keys. If you have a lot of everyday carry items (or if you’d like to bring a portable dog water bottle or other items for your dog), consider getting a dog treat pouch or fanny pack with a built-in poop bag dispenser.
Eco-friendly considerations
Compostable materials
Check to see what the bag itself is made of—virgin plastic, post-consumer recycled plastic, or a mix of any of these options. If the bag you choose is made of plant-based plastic (often made of corn starch or other plant starches), it may be either home or commercially compostable.
Home compostable bags can also be commercially composted, but not the other way around, so check the compost guidelines on the bags you purchase. Composting dog waste comes with a lot of guidelines, more on those below under “proper disposal practices.”
Buying bags with post-consumer plastic or made of compostable materials may not help you actually compost your dog’s waste and the bag, but putting your money in the hands of corporations who are trying to be more eco-friendly is better than purchasing virgin plastic dog waste bags from Amazon.
Packaging sustainability
The sustainability of the packaging and the core of the poop bags (the little tube that helps the roll hold its shape) also affects the overall sustainability of your purchase. Check for recyclable cardboard packaging and cores, or post-consumer recycled packaging.
Proper disposal practices
Always make sure to properly dispose of your dog’s waste, and never leave it on the side of the trail for other hikers to pick up for you.
If the dog poop bags you choose have any traditional plastic in them (whether it’s recycled or virgin), it must go into the trash. Unfortunately, there’s no good way to recycle used plastic poop bags.
If you have a compostable bag and wish to compost your dog’s waste, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. First, most commercial composting facilities won’t process dog waste, so if you have commercially compostable bags, you may still just need to toss them and your dog’s waste in the trash.
If you have home-compostable bags and have a home composting setup, you can compost both the bags and your dog’s waste. However, it’s not recommended to use the resulting compost on edible plants, as dog waste can carry pathogens such as E. coli, Giardia, and more that can affect the safety of any food you’re growing. Using this compost on shrubs, non-fruit bearing trees, and grasses is generally safer.
FAQ
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Compostable bags are better for the environment in the sense that they’re not made of virgin plastic. Compostable bags are often made of corn or other plant-based starches, and just like plastic bags (or most things, really), won’t break down in a landfill. If you have a commercial composting facility near you that accepts dog waste (note: most don’t), or if you have a composting set up at home, you may be able to compost dog waste and compostable dog poop bags into fertilizer for use on non-edible plants.
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The best size poop bags for large dogs are often 12x15 inches or larger. Look for strong, heavy-duty bags if you have a large dog, so you don’t have any bag breakage or leaking with large amounts of waste.
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Scented poop bags are great at hiding dog poop smell when you need to carry your dog’s waste around for a while. If you’re on a hike or walk and your dog does their business too far from a trailhead trashcan, scented dog poop bags can keep you from smelling poop for the rest of your hike. You can also opt for a dog poop carry pouch that has extra scent blocking for more protection from the stench.
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You should carry enough poop bags on each walk to account for each time your dog poops, plus one. If your dog normally does their business once per walk, bring two bags. If you have multiple dogs or a dog who tends to eliminate many times per outing, bring extra. Also, even if you have zero dogs with you, it’s still helpful to carry one spare bag (like for a friend who forgets, for used TP/wipes on trail, etc.)
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The best poop bag holder for running is one that doesn’t dangle off your dog’s leash. Choose a fabric poop bag holder that gets secured to your dog’s leash at multiple points via velcro or elastic straps to avoid an option that dangles with every step while you’re running.
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Dog poop bags can sometimes go in compost bins. If your dog poop bag is home compostable, it can go in a home compost bin. However, compost made from dog waste should not be used in gardens or on edible plants as they can contain pathogens. If your dog poop bag is commercially compostable, it can be composted in a commercial facility that accepts dog waste, but can’t be composted at home. Plastic dog poop bags should never be placed in compost bins.
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Most poop bag dispensers attach to leashes via a clip to the leash handle. Some poop bag dispensers are attached via elastic straps, carabiner clips, or other hardware.
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Thicker poop bags are worth it for large and giant breeds to reduce the risk of your bag breaking and poop getting everywhere. For most small and medium breeds, bags or normal size and thickness work just fine.
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Eco-friendly bags may break down faster depending on their material make up. A bag that’s made of 100% post-consumer plastic is still made of plastic and won’t break down, even though it isn’t using resources to make virgin plastic. Compostable and biodegradable dog poop bags will break down faster than plastic bags, but require specific conditions to break down or be composted.
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If you forgot a poop bag on a walk and your dog does their duty, you should return home to get a bag, ask another dog walker for a bag, search the trash for a tissue or used napkin to pick up your dog’s waste, or sacrifice a sock or other clothing item. Avoid leaving your dog’s waste out in the open, and always follow Leave No Trace principles.
How we researched and tested
We tested bags during daily dog walks, training walks, hikes, and runs. While using dog poop bags, we checked durability, leak resistance, and ease of tearing and opening. We compared materials and packaging to determine the most eco-friendly options. We also tested dispensers for attachment security and usability.
And if you read this far….April Fool’s! Yes, it is the first of April and a humorous topic, but this is 100% a real review for real dog poop bags we've tested.
Why you should trust us / About the authors
The Treeline Review team joined in to share their favorite dog poop bags. Leading the effort is our contributing writer, Jae Thomas.
Jae Thomas is a dog mom, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, and teaches agility, rally, and other dog sports at Canine Athletics Training Center in Boulder County. Jae uses her background in dog sports and behavior to test outdoor-focused dog gear focused on fit, comfort, safety, and functionality for dogs and their owners. She’s scooped a lot of poop in her dog-centric career.
