How to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell in Your Yard

In an ideal world, we all pick up after our dogs when they poop. But in reality, that poop usually sits out there long enough that it becomes a problem. Now, there should be no issue if your dog is well-trained and has a designated poop area. If your furry friend poops out in the yard at the most random places, however, you may be dealing with a lingering poop smell. 

In that case, you may be wondering how to get rid of the dog poop smell in the yard. No one wants to lose their outdoor sitting area to a bad stench, obviously. Luckily, the solutions are plenty and we’re here to walk you through them. 

Why Does Your Yard Smell Like Dog Poop (Even After Cleanup)? 

Needless to say, poop is not meant to smell like flowers. Dog poop, in particular, can smell especially bad because of the bacterial breakdown that goes on inside it. In fact, it’s the decomposition process that’s responsible for the bad smell. The longer the poop sits in your yard, the stronger the stench will get and the longer it will linger. Sometimes, even after you’ve cleaned the area, you can often still smell the odor and wonder if it’ll ever go away.

The reason why the smell may linger even after cleanup is often residual bacteria—the small particles left behind from the poop. There’s also the chance that Fido’s poop might’ve gotten soaked into the soil or grass, especially if it wasn’t very solid, to say the least. Humidity and warm weather play a big role, too. Keep in mind that moisture traps the smell and makes it more noticeable. In any case, there’s always a way to get rid of dog poop smell in your yard.

Effective Ways to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell 

If you have the habit of forgetting to pick up your dog’s poop as soon as it’s done with the business, a stink in the backyard is expected. But with a few simple tricks, you can get your yard smelling fresh and flowery again. So, let’s talk about what kills the smell of dog poop outside. 

Commercial Odor Neutralizers

The most common way to get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard is store-bought commercial odor neutralizers—enzyme cleaners in particular. These products remove the odor right from the source. Anti-Icky Poo as well as the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray are both great options. Pooph gets the job done, too. With the right product, any set-in stains and odors will be gone before you know it. 

Homemade Odor Neutralizers

Another method to get rid of the dog poop smell is by using a homemade odor neutralizer. This can be a great option if you have a knack for DIY. Simply add 4 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 cups of lukewarm water, and 2 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle, shake well, and apply to the affected area. This may not be the same as store-bought odor neutralizers, but it does get the job done.

Plain Water

Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting a hose and washing away the odor. Water has the ability to dilute the smell, especially if your furry friend has just pooped. This can also give some extra moisture to your lawn, which is a plus. Unfortunately, this method won’t be as helpful once the odor has already seeped into the ground—in which case you’ll need to explore other options. 

Lime Powder

If none of those methods helped and you’re still wondering how to get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard, there’s one other trick you can try: Lime powder. This substance can eliminate any stench from your yard by neutralizing odors and breaking down organic waste. All you have to do is remove all visible waste, then sprinkle a thin layer of lime over the spot. 

Hydrated lime works quickly but can irritate skin and eyes—although garden lime is safer for home use. Once you’re done, lightly water the area to help the lime seep into the soil, let it sit for a few hours, and make sure to keep pets and children away until the ground is dry.

How to Prevent Dog Poop Smells from Coming Back

Clean Up Regularly

It’s all about regular dog poop clean-up. As long as the droppings don’t pile up, you won’t have to worry about how to get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard again. Just pick up any poop on the spot, clean up the area, and you won’t need to deal with any stinky odors. 

Set Up a Dog-Friendly Potty Area 

If Fido is already pooping in the yard, you’ve done a great job of training it to take his business outside. The next step you can take is teaching it to start using a designated area in the yard. Choose an area away from any outdoor sitting areas or swimming pools, and prepare the spot with pea gravel, sand, or artificial turf. These surfaces are easy to clean. Then, mark the area and train your dog to make it his go-to potty area. The training won’t be easy and will take time, especially since your four-legged friend has a whole yard to use, but it’s doable. Just make sure to clean the dog-friendly potty area regularly as well.

Use Yard-Friendly Plants to Help Out

Certain plants deter dogs from using other areas. We’re talking about plants like lavenders, marigolds, rue, and citronella grass. Their strong scent repels dogs and drives them elsewhere. They also make your yard look great, and their nice smell works as a great poop smell coverup, so it’s a win-win however you look at it. Other plants like mint, thyme, and lemon balm can absorb the smell of feces so you may want them in your yard, too.

Keep Your Dog Healthy

Your dog’s diet plays a major role in how their waste smells. By changing your dog’s food and feeding them high-quality, digestible food, you can minimize those unpleasant odors. For an extra boost, try adding fibers, prebiotics, and probiotics to keep their digestion on point and smells in check. Even if you can’t get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard completely, you can at least keep it to a minimum with the right diet—you’ll be keeping your dog healthy at the same time. 

How to Get Rid of Dog Poop in Your Yard Efficiently

Needless to say, the most obvious way to prevent the smell of dog poop is to get rid of the dog poop in your yard. We know—picking up Fido’s droppings from the ground isn’t exactly charming. Luckily, there are easy solutions. We’re talking pooper scoopers. Once you start using them, you’ll never look back.

PooPail makes the process much easier. As the world’s first 2-in-1 solution to dog poop, it combines a waste container and scooper in one seamless system. The scoopers are long enough so you can pick up Fido’s droppings without even having to bend down. The 4-gallon capacity stores poop for up to a week, saving you endless trips to the trash can. Plus, the design allows sand and pebbles to fall through for a mess-free cleanup. And with biodegradable liners, you won’t have to worry about pollution.

Of course, you can start a dog poop compost, too. You’ll be getting the waste out of sight while benefiting the environment at the same time. This is because, in the form of compost, poop can provide the soil in your yard with helpful nutrients.

While it’s probably the best way to get rid of dog poop in your yard, keep in mind that cleanliness doesn’t stop with scoopers alone; always make sure to wash the area after scooping. Do all that, and you won’t have to worry about that annoying stench in your yard anymore.

To Wrap Up

You can have a happy and healthy dog running around in your backyard and doing his business outside, and still enjoy a poop-free breeze during your outdoor lounges. It doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. Once you figure out how to get rid of dog poop smell in your yard, both you and your dog can share and enjoy your outdoor living space together. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Kills the Smell of Dog Poop Outside? 

Natural solutions like lime powder, baking soda, or enzymatic cleaners can get rid of dog poop smell in your yard. To maintain a fresh garden scent, do regular clean-ups, rinse the nasty-smelling areas with water, and plant strong and sweet-smelling plants in your yard.

Does Dog Poop Kill Grass? 

Even though it’s not as harmful as urine, dog poop can kill grass, especially when left out for too long. The high levels of nitrogen and acid in the feces can burn the grass, leading to dead spots in your lawn. That’s why it’s important to make scooping and cleaning a priority.

How Often Should I Clean Up After My Dog to Avoid Smell? 

Cleaning up after every potty trip would be ideal, but since that’s not always possible, aim to clean up after your dog at least once a day—preferably twice—to prevent odors from building up in your yard. Regular cleanups help get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard and prevent the stench from lingering.