How to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell Outside (Treatment and Prevention)
As a pet parent, you probably let your dog go outside in order to poop. While this helps prevent bad smells from entering your home, it can lead to a buildup of bad smells outside such as in your yard.
After removing the dog poop outside, fortunately, there are many ways you can eliminate dog poop odors. If you’re looking for how to get rid of dog poop smell outside, look no further.
In this blog post, I discuss ways to treat poop odors that are currently present, plus ways to prevent them in the first place.
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How to Treat Dog Poop Odors Outside Your Home
If your outside yard or porch is already smelly, you want to get rid of that dog poop smell fast. Here are some effective ways to freshen up those areas.
1. Use Plain Water for Minor Cases
The easiest and most natural way to get rid of dog poop smell is to just use plain water. It can be very effective, but it only works when it’s used within 8 hours since your dog pooped.
If you’re trying to dilute urine smell, you’ll need about 3 times the water compared to the urine. Plain water is good on hard surfaces or grass, as long as the smell isn’t too strong. If the smell lingers, you may need something else.
2. Use an Odor Eliminator
Sometimes, water isn’t enough to get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard. If this is the case for you, you may want to consider an odor eliminator. You can either purchase one or make one yourself.
- Pre-Made Odor Eliminator
Odor eliminators often use enzymes to absorb dog poop smells. You’ll want to clean up any existing poop first before using it.
Odor eliminators like Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator work on feces and urine smells with microbes and enzymes to neutralize odors. You can attach the sprayer directly to a hose and spray the affected area.
- Homemade Spray
You can make your own odor eliminator sprays by using some common household ingredients. Try mixing 4 heaping tablespoons of baking soda, 2 cups of lukewarm water, and 2 cups of white vinegar into a spray bottle.
3. Agricultural Lime Powder
Sometimes a foul smell remains even after dog poop is gone. If there are spots in your yard that still stink from dog poop or urine, try agricultural lime.
Make sure this is non-caustic lime, and follow all directions from the manufacturer. I would also suggest asking them specifically if it is pet-safe.
You can sprinkle some on problematic areas with dog poop odor to neutralize the smell and then spray with water to seep into the soil.
It should be safe around your dogs, plants, and flowers, but does require some care when applying it. It helps create an alkaline environment that helps to prevent bacteria from multiplying.
When looking for lime, be cautious. Anything labeled hydrated lime or calcium oxide is dangerous for pets and people.
4. Use Bleach on Hard Surfaces
If you’ve got a porch or patio in your backyard, regular spray or powder may not help remove the smell. If your dog went potty on a hard surface, you can use some diluted bleach to get rid of the odor. You should use about ½ cup of bleach for every gallon of water.
After you bleach the area, rinse and dry it before your pets come in contact with it. Remember to also be careful using bleach, as it can kill plants and grass. Only use it for hard surfaces.
5. Soap and Water for Mild Cases on Hard Surfaces
If you’re dealing with hard surfaces, you can mix dishwashing soap with water as a cleanser on hard surfaces. Spray the area with water first, then use soapy water on the spot to eliminate the smell. This works best for mild cases.
How to Prevent Dog Poop Smell Outside Your Home
The best way to keep your yard smelling fresh is to prevent the dog poop smell from building up in the first place. Here are some tried-and-true ways to keep the outside of your home smelling fresh.
6. Pick it up
It may seem obvious, but picking up your dog poop immediately helps the smell go away faster. If dog poop is left for a long time, the smell gets worse. It can get especially bad if it’s left out on a hot summer day.
Some people leave their dog poop out thinking it’s going to fertilize the soil, but it won’t. Dog poop doesn’t benefit the soil at all.
In fact, it contains bacteria and viruses that could infect the soil and get others sick. It can even attract rats if there are undigested proteins in the feces.
Your best bet is to pick up the dog poop as soon as you can. The faster the cleanup, the less your yard will smell.
Most dog owners use rubber gloves and/or a plastic bag to pick up their dog’s poop. If you find bending down is difficult, you can also invest in a tool such as this adjustable pooper scooper rake.
It’ll pick up your dog’s business without you having to get your hands dirty.
7. Dispose of it
Once you pick the dog poop up off your lawn, you’ve got to get rid of it. Luckily, there are several different ways you can do that.
- Use the Trash Can
Most people default to storing their dog’s poop in a plastic bag and throwing it in the trash can. It can be effective at keeping the stink to a minimum. However, sometimes there are a few issues.
Dog poop will continue to stink even inside a trash can. It can get even worse if you live in a hot climate. If your trash can is kept close to your house, you may still end up smelling it.
Using the trash can to throw your dog poop away works best if your trash pickup is very frequent. If you go weeks between trash pickups, you may find this doesn’t work for you.
- Flush it Down the Toilet
If you’re looking for another way for how to get rid of the dog poop smell outside, try flushing it down the toilet. It can be a good option because it eliminates poop and its odor instantly. No waiting around for trash pickup to come to get it.
Of course, using the toilet means you have to handle the dog poop. You also have to carry it through your house or apartment to the bathroom. But if this method works for you, it’s a quick way to keep the smell down to a minimum.
You may be surprised to learn there are even flushable dog poop bags to help the environment.
- Get an In-Ground Waste Disposal System
You can also get your own dog waste disposal system, similar to a septic tank. Just like a home septic system, it would break down pet waste in the soil and is environmentally safe.
The Doggie Dooley Original In-Ground Waste Disposal system is stored underground and would be a convenient alternative to burying your dog’s poop. Since it’s stored so far underground, you wouldn’t smell it.
Note: Whenever you’re handling dog poop, take proper safety precautions. If you can, wear gloves. Promptly wash your hands afterward. Dog poop contains bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness.
8. Train Your Pet to Go in a Designated Area
Another way to manage the dog poop smell is to train your dog to only go in one area. If you have a moderate-to-large yard, it becomes more difficult to find where the dog poop smell is coming from.
It may take a little time for your pup to learn to go in one area. It’ll take some repetition, treats, and time for your dog to understand what you want. But it’ll keep your yard cleaner and narrow down the smelly zone.
9. Make Sure Your Canine is Eating Well
Your dog’s poop can be especially pungent if they’re sick or eating low-quality food.
Sick dogs can have digestion issues. If they have less energy than usual, diarrhea, and less appetite, contact your veterinarian.
Dogs can also have smelly poop if their food isn’t high quality. Cheap dog food is often made with more meat by-products and more fillers, which doesn’t sit well in our dog’s tummy.
If your dog gets low-quality kibble, it can be very hard on its digestive system. Make sure your dog is getting high-quality food with high fat so they can have healthy bowel movements.
10. Take Your Pet on Walks To Go To the Bathroom
Another way you can manage the poop smell is by taking them on walks for their go-time. If they poop on the walk, it doesn’t get in your backyard.
Just make sure you clean up the dog poop afterward. Dog poop isn’t natural or good for the environment. Collect it and dispose of it in a trash can while you’re out on your walk.
Conclusion
When it comes to dog poop smell, there are many ways you can take care of it. You can try all or some of these solutions on how to get rid of dog poop smell outside.
You may have to experiment and see what works best for you. But if you follow these tips, you’ll have a fresh-smelling yard in no time.