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Every doggy poops, which is why you need poop bags. And anything that makes the process a little more pleasant gets a gold star from us. For the most effortless cleanup, you need a reliable waste bag that opens easily, locks in odors, and keeps contents from seeping onto your fingers.
These days, purveyors of poop bags have our backs, so you’re not left scrambling when nature calls. Pet companies have really thought of everything: there are bags for holding giant piles, bags that minimize the feel of handling your pup’s surprises, and compostable bags that can be better for the environment.
As experts in doodie duty, we’ve sorted through the heaps of available options to bring you 10 pet waste bags that make poop-scooping less of a hassle.
Best for Odor-Control: Arm & Hammer Fresh Scent Odor Control Bags
One of the least appealing parts of dealing with dog poop is the smell. Especially when you’re mid-walk and need to tote around a filled waste bag until you get home. These Arm & Hammer bags neutralize odors with activated baking soda; they also have a pleasant smell, which helps take the edge off the stink.
These bags measure 9” x 14”—a pretty standard bag size that’s large enough to handle more substantial piles. They’re thick and sturdy, too, so you can enjoy your walk without fretting over making contact with your pup’s number twos.
Features we like:
- Baking soda minimizes odor
- Thick & sturdy
- Fit most standard bag dispensers
Things to consider:
- Not opaque
- Some pet parents note these are harder to tear off the roll
Best for Large Dogs: Heavy Dootie® Bags
Picking up after your Great Dane or Cane Corso requires a bag built for larger loads—preferably one that won’t tear under pressure. As the name suggests, these Heavy Dootie® bags are up to the task. With a width of 11 inches and 5-inch side gussets, these bags are akin to plastic grocery bags in size. The 2.8-gallon capacity is ready to take on your dog’s more generous loads or multiple smaller ones.
Not only are these bags large, but they’re also thick and sturdy. Plus, they have easy tie handles, which keep hands clean and make it easier to seal the bag.
Features we like:
- Side gussets extend the size
- Compatible with GoGo Stik pooper scooper
- Made with cornstarch
- Package is 100% recycled material
Things to consider:
- At $0.17 per bag, they’re a bit pricier
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Best for Small Dogs: BioBag Standard Pet Waste Bags
You might already be familiar with BioBag from your kitchen compost. At 11.4” x 8”, the brand’s standard-size poop bags are just right for your petite Yorkie or medium-sized Beagle. Another bonus is the bag’s black color, which hides the evidence during your walk.
This is a great bag for the environmentally conscious, responsible dog parent. Made from plants and vegetable oils, BioBags can be composted in municipal composting facilities.
Features we like:
- Meets the ASTM D6400 standards for composting in municipal or industrial facilities
- No perfumes
- A circular cutout at the top makes for easier sealing
Things to consider:
- Must be used within a year or so; otherwise, they can disintegrate
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Best Scented: Pogi’s Pet Supplies Poop Bags
The fresh powder scent of Pogi’s earth-friendly sacks will trick your nostrils (in the best way). A lot of dog parents note that these bags have a mild, pleasant fragrance that isn’t too overpowering. They’re also durable and will be able to carry the waste of an Irish Wolfhound just as well as a Papillon.
These bags break down in under two years, so your dog’s doodoo is less of a burden on the environment—even the packaging is made from recyclable materials.
Features we like:
- The fresh smell isn’t too strong
- Breaks down in 18 months
- Cardboard packaging and cores are made from 100% recyclable materials
Things to consider:
- Some found them on the thin side
Best Thick Bags: Mutt Mitt Dog Waste Pick Up Bag
These heavy-duty bags are a popular choice among pet parents who want to minimize the tactile experience of picking up dog droppings. The thick two-ply mitt puts as much distance as possible between you and your dog’s pile, and it covers a significant portion of your lower arm too. It’s a winner among pet parents with large pups who leave large presents.
Features we like:
- Puncture-resistant
- Gusseted bottom and side-seamed
- Opaque black & white material hides waste
Things to consider:
- These are roll-free, so they won’t work with most bag dispensers
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Easiest To Tie: Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags with Handles
If you’re not a fan of struggling to tie poop bags, these easy-tie bags from Earth Rated come in handy. The convenient handles also make them easier to open, even in winter when your hands are cold and dry.
Earth Rated bags are extra long and guaranteed leak-proof, so there’s less risk of your hands coming into contact with any poop. Plus, they’re lavender-scented to make the journey to the next available trash can more bearable. These are also a popular choice in multi-pet households, since the opening is sized just right for a cat’s litter-box scoop.
Features we like:
- Easy tie handles
- Long and leak-proof
- Made from 65% post-consumer recycled plastic
Things to consider:
- They don’t come rolled up
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Best Compostable Bags: Give A Sh!t Dog Poop Bags
With a tongue-in-cheek name and crafted from recycled materials, these poop bags are certified as home-compostable. They’re even lab-tested under the stringent TUV Austria standards. Under the right conditions, they should break down in about 90 days. The secret ingredient? No, not love—cornstarch.
Pet parents will appreciate that they’re easy to open and hold loads of significant size. These dog waste bags give back as well. 10% of every purchase is donated to the Soi Dog Foundation, which is dedicated to helping street dogs and cats in Thailand.
Features we like:
- Made from cornstarch
- Packaging & core made from recycled cardboard
- 10% goes to charity
Things to consider:
- Industrial compost facilities can be hard to find
Best Flushable: Doodie Flush™ Dog Poop Bag
A bag you can flush? Yes, they exist. Doodie Flush™ bags are made with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), a plastic that dissolves in water.
In terms of convenience, flushable waste bags are hard to beat. However, keep in mind that different municipalities have varying rules regarding what is and isn’t permissible to be flushed down the toilet. Some communities prohibit flushing dog waste because of the risk of spreading contaminants. Also, it’s probably wise to avoid flushable bags if you have an older plumbing system or a septic tank.
These bags are slightly smaller than most standard poop bags—a good thing if you’re looking to lower the risk of a clog. But the smaller size can, of course, be problematic when dealing with larger loads. For best results, you may want to let the bag sit in the toilet for a few minutes before flushing to make sure it’s soft and the breakdown process has begun.
Features we like:
- Certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
- Thick and durable
- Ideal for yard pickup
Things to consider:
- Bags do not come on a roll
- Because they dissolve in water, they’re not ideal on rainy days
Best for a Laugh: The Rover Store’s “Nutrition Facts” Poop Bags
Who says doodie duty has to be serious? For the dog who eats anything and everything, these “nutrition facts” bags are sure to inspire a chuckle while you’re cleaning up. These are the first dog poop bags to meet the USDA-Certified Biobased standard—meaning they’re made with a minimum of 38% plant-based materials, including corn and vegetable oils.
Features we like:
- Fit in most standard poop bag dispensers
- Strong & leak-proof
- Silky-smooth texture
- At least 38% plant-based materials
Things to consider:
- No handles for easy tying
Best Value: Gorilla Supply Dog Poop Waste Bags
This is a great deal, with 1,000 bags plus a dispenser retailing for just about $0.02 per bag. They have nearly 30,000 five-star reviews, too, making them a good bargain for multi-pet families and all those with a lot of poop in their future.
Features we like:
- BPA-free
- Coreless roll means less waste
- Unscented
Things to consider:
- Translucent bag means contents are visible
- A few reviews mention the last bag of each roll having a hole in it
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How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of hands-on testing, a close analysis of the qualities of good poop bags, and a comprehensive look at customer reviews. We prioritized bags with leak-proof designs, odor-control, and environmentally friendly materials. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.