Can You Compost Dog and Cat Poop?
On this page
No, not in compost for a food garden. Dog and cat feces can carry parasites and pathogens, such as roundworms and Toxoplasma, that a home pile won't reliably kill. Keep it out of any compost that goes near edible plants.
At a glance
| Home compost pile | No |
|---|---|
| Green or brown | Neither (not a green or brown input) |
| Moisture | Wet |
| Prep | None needed |
| Worm bin | No |
| Bokashi | No |
What to do with dog and cat poop instead
Some people run a dedicated pet-waste digester or a separate pile used only on ornamental plantings far from food crops. For most homes, bagging it for the trash is the practical answer.
Bag it for the trash, or follow your local guidance. Used cat litter belongs out of compost too, including 'natural' plant-based litters. Pregnant people should take particular care around cat feces because of Toxoplasma.
What goes wrong
Home piles rarely stay hot enough, long enough, in every corner to kill parasite eggs, some of which can survive in soil for years. If pet waste got into your compost, don't use it on vegetables, herbs or fruit. Wash hands and tools after handling it.
Worm bins and bokashi
Worm bin: Don't add pet waste to a worm bin whose castings go on the garden.
Bokashi: Don't add pet waste to a kitchen bokashi bucket.
Balancing the rest of your pile? Check the balance with the compost mix calculator.
From hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/dog-and-cat-poop/ · General guidance, not professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't you compost dog poop?
Dog feces can carry roundworms, hookworms and harmful bacteria. A backyard pile doesn't reliably reach the heat needed to kill them throughout.
Can you compost cat litter?
Not used litter for garden compost. It carries the same risks as cat feces, including Toxoplasma. Unused plant-based litter is a different matter and can compost like sawdust.
Are compostable poop bags OK in home compost?
Even if the bag breaks down, the contents shouldn't go in a food-garden pile. Put them in the trash; see compostable plastics.