Best Dog Poop Bags 2024 - Forbes Vetted

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.

The best dog poop bags on the market help you pick up after your four-legged friends with ... [+] confidence.

“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.

Amazon

Material: 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic | Size: 13 x 9 inches | Bags per package: 120, 270 or 600 | Scent: Lavender, unscented

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Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags are the runaway favorite among Forbes Vetted editors with pups. Add in a whopping 200K+ five-star Amazon reviews praising everything from their recycled materials to the pleasant scent to the leakproof construction that consistently keeps messes and odors contained, and it’s no surprise why these eco-friendly bags are at the top of this list. Kara Cuzzone, senior deals editor, uses these bags and confirms they’ve never broken on her yet. Out of all of its benefits, the feature that pet parents rave about most is the sticker that alerts them when they’re down to the last few bags. Because no one wants to be caught by surprise with an empty dispenser.

What the reviews say: “These are rip-resistant and thick enough to hold the runny and firm, smelly and sticky and all varieties of poop,” reads one Amazon review. “My dog is a prolific pooper—sometimes six times a day. And these are our go-to bags.”

Chewy

Material: Plastic | Size: 13 x 9 inches | Bags per package: 120, 270 or 900 | Scent: Cucumber melon, unscented

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From the recycled packaging to the leakproof plastic construction to the (optional) cucumber melon scent, these super-popular bags from Chewy are a dream to use. Each roll contains 15 bags and fits into standard poop bag holders. Customer reviews rave about everything from how easy they are to pull out and open to their durable design. “I have made believers of other dog owners in my neighborhood when I tell them the price and how sturdy they are,” says one. “I have given some a small roll as a sample.” The price per bag drops by half if you purchase these in a 900-count package as well.

What the editors say: “I’m a fan of these dog poop bags by Chewy’s in-house brand,” says managing editor Emmy Favilla, who has two large-breed dogs and hasn’t had one of these rip on her yet. “They’re super cost-effective if you buy in bulk, and they’re just as reliable and sturdy as the best of them.”

Amazon

Material: Cornstarch, BPAT (compostable polymer), edible glycerin | Size: 13 x 9 inches | Bags per package: 120 or 240 | Scent: Unscented

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If you’re a home composter, consider choosing dog poop bags that you can throw into the compost heap. These Amazon finds are made from a cornstarch base, and unlike other dog poop bags comprising eco-friendly materials, they’re easy to tear off the roll and open. (They’re also available with handles.) Note, however, that if you aren’t a composter, these aren’t the bags for you. “Compostable bags can be fully broken down when used in a compost, but if you’re using regular trash, these aren’t working as you think,” explains Ellis. “They get buried in landfills, where they degrade and produce methane, the opposite of what you think you’re doing.”

What the reviews say: “I've never had them rip accidentally and I've used hundreds,” says one Amazon customer. “The only noticeable difference between these and plastic bags is that you can ‘feel’ the temperature a little more when you pick up poop, but it's really not that big of a deal, just different the first time.”

Amazon

Material: Cornstarch, plastic | Size: 18 x 11 x 5 inches | Bags per package: 100 | Scent: Unscented

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“Picking up after a large dog like a Great Dane or cane corso requires a bag built for larger loads—preferably one that won’t tear under pressure,” says Ellis. “You may need large bags that are thick and sturdy.” We recommend these Heavy Dootie Bags from GoGo Stik, which are designed to handle bigger messes. Equipped with a super-thick construction that keeps your hands clean, these impressive bags can hold up to 2.8 gallons, and handles make them easy to tie without compromising on capacity. While they’re too large for standard poop bag holders, the recycled cardboard box serves as its own contained dispenser.

What the reviews say: “Love these bags! They’re large and sturdy enough to handle my two adult pit bulls’ waste,” says one Amazon customer. “The large size keeps the mess of two dogs contained … The handles make it easy to tie the bag securely.”

Amazon

Material: EPI-treated plastic | Size: 14.5 x 7 inches | Bags per package: 300 or 900 | Scent: Powder fresh, unscented

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Boasting more than 11K five-star Amazon reviews, Pogi’s Dog Poop Bags combine extra-thick construction with the convenience of easy-tie handles. Not only do the handles help keep hands clean while picking up after your pup, but they also make it a cinch to tie the bag onto your dog’s leash if you don’t want to hold it until you get to a trash can. They’re so strong that some customers even report using them to dispose of cat litter and baby diapers, or using them as small garbage bags to keep in the car. The box, which is made from 100% recycled materials, also turns into a dispenser you can keep by the door.

What the reviews say: “The bags are durable, large and the material is thick, which prevents them from breaking or tearing easily, plus they have the tie handles so it makes it super easy to tie,” reads one Amazon review. “I have purchased the scented bags and can say that the bags have a nice fresh scent, and this helps with masking the smell, especially if you have to carry it for a bit when you're on your dog walks.”

Amazon

Material: High-density polyethylene, polypropylene | Size: 13 x 9 inches | Bags per package: 15, 270, 540 or 810 | Scent: Brazilian mango, talcum powder, cucumber, lavender, unscented

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If you’re looking for poop bags that work extra hard to mask unpleasant odors, these Amazon Basics ones are a perfect choice. They’re available in five different scents—including unscented—so whether you prefer fruity smells like Brazilian mango or cucumber or you favor fresh scents like lavender or talcum powder, you can find an option that works for you. Among the product’s 79K+ five-star reviews are many that note how well they tear and open, as well as the bags’ value for their price. Since you get a new dispenser and carabiner clip every time you reorder, you’ll have a spare to swap in if your old one breaks or you lose the cap. (Yup, we’ve all been there.)

What the reviews say: “As a devoted dog owner, I’ve tried numerous poop bags over the years, but I can confidently say these are the only ones I will ever use again,” says one Amazon customer. “From their heavy-duty design to the delightful scent, these bags are a game changer … While poop is never going to be a fragrant delight, the subtle scent helps mask any unpleasant odors, making the experience a little more pleasant for both me and those we pass by during our walks.”

Amazon

Material: Biodegradable paper | Size: 9.5 x 9.5 inches | Bags per package: 60 | Scent: Unscented

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If you’re set on foregoing plastic, paper dog poop bags are an eco-friendly alternative. These thin, flexible bags from PoopShark have a glossy finish that helps keep hands clean and dry. Their square shape and unconventional material means that they don’t fit into typical dispensers, but it also makes them easy to open even in the cold with gloves on, which isn’t always the case with traditional bags. The adorable shark design adds an extra bit of playfulness to walks and is sure to be a conversation starter at the dog park. When it’s time to clean up your pup’s mess, slip the bag over your entire hand like a puppet, and get to grabbing. Then invert the bag, cinch it closed and find a trash can.

What the reviews say: “I'm so happy that I've found these paper bags for my dog's poop,” says one Chewy customer. “The bags are super easy to open especially when it's cold, unlike plastic bags. They also stand up to the job—my dog is 70 pounds. The paper bags feel thicker than the plastic bags so you don't feel any sliminess. Would highly recommend switching.”

Amazon

Material: Polyethylene, plant-based materials | Size: 13 x 9 inches | Bags per package: 1,080 | Scent: Lavender, unscented

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Usually, “premium” equates to expensive, but not in the case of Pet N Pet’s extra-strong dog poop bags. This highly rated choice, available in green, black or orange, earns a spot on this list thanks in part to its intuitive design; arrows printed on each bag make it simple to know which end to open at a glance. Customer reviews note that they’re easy to rip off the roll, a breeze to open quickly and strong enough to handle even liquidy poops. Eco-conscious dog owners also appreciate that these bags are made with 38% plant-based materials and housed in recycled packaging. And with more than 1,000 bags per package, you won’t need to reorder for quite a while.

What the reviews say: “I have purchased these multiple times and will continue,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “These are bright-colored, nice thick bags that I don’t have to worry about my fingers going through. Easy to open. I love that they are partially plant-based and will break down faster. They also seem to help with the smell of the poop on our walks…Highly recommended over several others I have tried.”

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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