Dog care blog

How long does dog poop take to decompose?.

NOVEMBER 7, 2026 · 3 MINUTE READ

Dog poop can take a year or more to fully break down, depending on the weather, the dog's diet and where it lands. Worm eggs from the poop can stay in the soil for years after the pile is gone.

Why it takes so long.

Poop breaks down when bugs, worms and tiny microbes eat it. They need warmth, moisture and soil to do the job. Take one away and the pile just sits.

• Ground: poop on soil breaks down faster than poop on concrete, rock or turf.
• Weather: cold slows it down. So does dry air.
• Diet: what your dog eats changes what comes out and how fast it breaks down.

In Arizona, poop dries out and stays.

Our dry heat bakes a pile hard in a day or two. Microbes need moisture to break it down, so a dry pile on rock or turf can sit for months. It shrinks and fades, which makes it easy to miss, and it is still there.

Then monsoon arrives. A summer storm soaks those old piles and washes them across the yard, into washes and down storm drains.

The part you cannot see.

Many dogs carry worms, and their poop carries the eggs. Los Angeles County Public Health says roundworm eggs can stay alive in soil for years, so the dirt stays a risk long after the pile breaks down. The CDC warns that worm eggs and larvae can survive in parks, playgrounds and yards.

That is the real reason to pick up. A spot that looks clean can still hold eggs from poop that was left to rot.

Does rain or sun get rid of it.

No. Sun dries poop out and slows it down. Rain spreads it around. Neither one is a cleanup plan.

On trails and in the desert.

Poop left on a desert trail has little moisture to help it break down, so it can sit for a long time. Bag it and carry it out, even on the trails around the White Tank Mountains, where wildlife and other dogs pass through.

What about compostable bags.

Compostable and biodegradable bags cut down on plastic. The poop inside still goes in the trash. Green waste bins and most compost sites are not set up to handle pet waste.

How to get rid of dog poop the right way.

1. Pick up at least once a week. UC pest experts say weekly removal of dog poop cuts down on flies. In summer, or with more than one dog, twice a week is better. Goodyear city code says droppings must come out of yards at least twice a week.
2. Bag it, tie it and trash it. Goodyear asks for animal waste in tied, sealed plastic bags.
3. Never mow over poop. The mower spreads it across the lawn.
4. Keep it out of green waste and compost bins.
5. Flush only if your city allows it. Flush the poop, never the bag, and never into a septic system.

Let us handle it.

We scoop every pile in your yard on a set day each week, including the dried ones hiding in the rock. We bag it and put it in your trash can, and you get a photo of your latched gate when we leave. See our prices, how it works or find your town on our service areas page.

Sources.

• Town of Carver: Pet waste FAQ
• Los Angeles County Public Health: Animal feces and disease
• CDC: What every pet owner should know about roundworms and hookworms
• UC Statewide IPM: Flies
• City of Goodyear: Trash and recycling guide

Questions.

Does dog poop decompose faster in the sun?

Sun dries poop out, and dry poop breaks down slowly. In Arizona, piles can sit hard and dry for months.

Can I leave dog poop in my yard to break down?

It is better to pick it up. Worm eggs from the poop can stay in the soil for years.

Can you flush dog poop?

Some cities allow it, without the bag. Never flush the bag, and do not flush poop into a septic system.