The Best Dog Poop Bags To Make Cleaning Up After Your Pup Easy

From unconditional love to Insta-worthy photos, dog ownership comes with an endless list of perks—but poop duty, alas, is not one of them. Unless your pup consistently does their business in your backyard, high-quality dog poop bags are an absolute must. At the top of the heap, Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags earn their spot on our list as the best dog poop bags overall for being rip-resistant and easy to open.

“I love to prioritize bags with leak-proof designs, odor control and environmentally friendly materials,” says Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and a Pet People Panelist at Rover. “For the most effortless cleanup, you need a reliable waste bag that opens easily, locks in odors, doesn’t rip open when separating from other bags and keeps contents from seeping onto your fingers.” Keeping this criteria in mind, we also recommend Amazon Basics bags , with their range of scents, GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags for large breeds and G. A. S. 100% Certified Home Compostable Dog Poop Bags as an especially eco-conscious choice.

With loads of options on the market, determining the right choice for you and your pup may not always be easy. Our list of the best dog poop bags is based on extensive research, along with input from experts and learnings from our writer’s and editors’ personal experiences picking up after their pups. Below, our picks for a stress-free cleanup.

Meet The Expert

Nicole Ellis is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) with more than 15 years of experience working with animals—from dogs to horses to tigers. As a member of the Pet People Panel at Rover, she provides pet parents with answers to everyday care questions through guidance, advice and product recommendations.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted’s home and kitchen editors have published dozens of expert-backed roundups on the best gear and accessories for dogs, including the best dog beds, dog crates and dog harnesses.

The author of this article, Amy Gordon, is a seasoned home shopping writer and proud human companion to a rescue dog named Sally.
Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla, who edited this story, is a dog owner and active dog companion volunteer at Animal Care Centers of NYC. She has been active in animal welfare for two decades and is the author of Pet Peeves, our monthly pet advice column.
We used key insights from Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA and Pet People Panelist at Rover.

How We Chose The Best Dog Poop Bags

we evaluated input from professionals, our expert staff and online reviewers who have firsthand experience using these products regularly.

We focused our attention on the most popular products from top brands and retailers we trust, like Chewy and Amazon. We limited our consideration set to products with a 4-star rating or higher and at least a considerable number of reviews.
We interviewed a certified professional dog trainer who is knowledgeable about the best pet products on the market.
We consulted with our editorial team on items that they personally use and recommend.
We curated a list of recommendations in different categories based on the most important features to dog owners.

What To Look For In The Best Dog Poop Bags

The best dog poop bags for your pup depend on their specific needs and your personal preferences. Here are the most important factors to consider when picking the right product for your four-legged friends.

Easy To Use

No one wants to be stuck standing next to a big pile of poop while they fiddle with a stubborn roll of bags that won’t come out of the dispenser or open without difficulty. A bag’s ease of use can depend on the material, perforation style and way that the roll is sealed. When you’re shopping, do a quick scan of the online reviews to get a sense of how user-friendly the bags you’re looking at actually are.

Strong

To avoid ending up with a (literal) mess on your hands, choose a dog poop bag that’s strong enough to stand up to harsh weather, abrasive sidewalks and heavy loads. No matter what type of bags you’re thinking of adding to your cart, you want to make sure that they get high marks for leakproof construction and durability.

Odor-proof

No matter how well your dog poop bag holds its contents, it’s nearly just as essential to make sure that unpleasant aromas are contained. And while lessening the strain on your nasal passages is a definite plus, keeping odors under wraps is also a way to keep unwanted insects and critters at bay.

Which Dog Poop Bags Are Really Biodegradable?

Your best bet to ensure that you’re minimizing your carbon footprint is to use a compostable bag and dispose of it through proper channels. “The word ‘biodegradable’ is confusing, because you think it’s just going to disappear in the trash landfill, but that can only happen when oxygen is present,” says Ellis. “And that’s not how trash piles work (hence piles), so they actually usually don’t biodegrade at all.”

Should You Tie Dog Poop Bags?

Definitely. “Not only will it help contain the poop, but also the smell,” says Ellis. “It also lessens the chance of it falling out in the trash, which can attract maggots and other unwanted pests.”