Updated Jun. 05, 2024
Doo-doo 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 pet poop trash can? With very few exceptions (like genius cats), pets don’t use toilets like people. Cat and dog poop trash cans upgrade a stinky chore and turn it into a less unpleasant experience. The best pet poop trash cans trap scent and make it simple to safely dispose of your animal’s number twos.
What’s more, cleaning up daily droppings goes beyond controlling odor, it impacts hygiene on multiple levels. Pet waste in the yard 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.
As a pet expert, I’ve carefully selected and curated the best cat and dog poop trash cans for every type of pet owner.
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It’s no wonder why this is Amazon’s Choice in Pooper Scoopers. 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.
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A budget-friendly compost bin makes an outstanding choice to contain soiled cat litter or small dog poop. 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.
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.
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Over 11,000 pet owners are crazy for this kitty litter solution, giving it 4.6-stars on Amazon. 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!
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This stylish trash can by Keter won’t look out of place on your patio. With its 38-gallon capacity, it’s perfect for disposing the entire pack’s poo.
The Keter trash can keeps odors in with its double resin construction, and keeps animals and weather out thanks to its locking lid. Verified Amazon reviewer, Phoebe, is a fan: “This thing is built like a tank. So sturdy and so easy to put together and use. Heavy enough the wind doesn’t blow it over. I especially like that the lid snaps shut to keep the flies and other bugs out.”
The best part is that strong contractor bags easily fit into the Rockford for heavy messes. This trash can features a double lid to snap bags in place. And for easy cleaning, it’s outfitted with a removable bottom drip tray.Â
Bonus points: This already handsome trash can is paintable to match your house or patio furniture.
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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. It’s not surprising that this one has a 4.5-star rating, winning Amazon’s Choice.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I’m a certified animal behavior consultant, and nationally-known authority on pet care and behavior. I’ve published more than 4,000 articles about the veterinary and pet products industry, and have appeared as a pet expert on Animal Planet. In addition to writing, I frequently lectures at conferences and gives webinars about pet behavior.
To begin, I considered the needs of different types of pet owners, from homeowners to apartment dwellers, and those with big dogs and small dogs. Then, I researched the top selling models from multiple well-known retailers, using my personal experiences and industry expertise to evaluate their features. Additionally, I combed through hundreds of customer reviews to see how the best products fared for other people.
Ideally, it’s best to get any dog poop out of your house and into an outdoor trash can as soon as possible. But if that’s not possible, choose an indoor-friendly pet waste pail like the Litter Genie or Diaper Genie, which use special odor-blocking bags to keep smells at bay until trash day.
Originally Published: December 22, 2021
