Dog care blog

Is dog poop good fertilizer?.

NOVEMBER 7, 2026 · 3 MINUTE READ

No. Dog poop does not feed your lawn the way cow manure does. It burns grass, it carries worms and germs, and the USDA says compost made from it should never go on food crops.

Why dog poop burns grass.

Dogs eat a lot of protein, so their poop is packed with nitrogen and is acidic. A little nitrogen helps grass grow. A lot of it in one spot burns the grass, the same way too much lawn fertilizer does.

That is why you see a dark green ring at first, then a yellow spot, then a dead brown patch. Cow manure works in gardens because cows eat plants, so their manure is milder.

What else is in it.

Dog poop can carry roundworms, hookworms, Giardia, Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. Roundworm eggs can stay alive in the soil for years after the pile is gone. Spreading poop around your yard spreads those too.

Mowing over poop does the same thing. Pick up before you mow.

Why home composting is risky.

Killing the germs and parasite eggs in dog poop takes a lot of heat for a long time. One state guide puts it at 165 degrees for at least five days, which a backyard pile almost never reaches.

The USDA has a guide to composting dog waste, and it says the compost should not go on vegetable gardens or food crops. If you want to compost, it is a project for flower beds only, and it takes real care.

It washes into storm drains.

The EPA counts pet waste as a source of water pollution. When monsoon storms hit, rain washes poop off yards and sidewalks into washes and storm drains. The nitrogen and phosphorus in it can feed algae, and the germs go along for the ride.

What about dog pee.

Dog pee is high in nitrogen too, and it burns grass the same way. That is why you see yellow spots where your dog goes most. Watering those spots right after your dog pees helps dilute it.

In a desert yard.

Many West Valley yards are rock and turf with little grass. On rock and turf, poop has nothing to feed. It dries out, sits there and waits for the next monsoon storm to wash it around.

What to do with dog poop instead.

1. Pick it up often. At least once a week, and more in summer or with more than one dog.
2. Bag it and tie it. Goodyear asks for animal waste in tied, sealed plastic bags. Litchfield Park asks for a closed bag in the trash.
3. Put it in your trash can, never in green waste or a compost bin.
4. Flushing is allowed in some places. Flush only the poop, never the bag, and never into a septic system.

How to fix burned spots.

• Pick up poop within a day or two so it cannot burn the grass.
• Soak the spot with water to dilute what is left.
• Rake out dead grass and reseed, or let Bermuda grass fill in during warm months.
• On artificial turf, rinse the spots dogs use most.

Want it off your list? We scoop every pile on a set day each week, bag it and put it in your trash can. See our prices or find your town on our service areas page.

Sources.

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Composting dog waste
• Whole Dog Journal: Can you use dog poop as fertilizer
• Lawn Love: Is dog poop good or bad for grass
• Connecticut DEEP: Pet waste and composting
• Los Angeles County Public Health: Animal feces and disease
• City of Goodyear: Trash and recycling guide

Questions.

Is dog poop good for grass?

No. It is high in nitrogen and burns grass, which leaves yellow and brown spots.

Can I compost dog poop?

Home piles rarely get hot enough to kill parasite eggs, and the USDA says dog waste compost should never go on food crops.

What is the best way to get rid of dog poop?

Bag it, tie it and put it in your trash can. Goodyear asks for tied, sealed plastic bags, and Litchfield Park asks for a closed bag in the trash.