Part of owning a dog is managing their poop. There are definitely some good ways to do this and you might be asking if putting lime on your dog’s poop is one of them. That’s what we’re going to answer today!
How Does Lime Work on Dog Poop?
Garden lime is an excellent method of managing your dog’s poop. To help you understand how this works, let’s quickly take a look at what creates the unpleasant odor in your dog’s poop and how lime helps to neutralize it. And how to best apply it!
Smelly Dog Poop!
Most dog food will contain plenty of nutrients that are crucial to healthy growth. Although, sometimes the mixes will consist of a few extra ingredients.
These include grains and other additives that can help with digestion and firming up stools.
As they do that, they’ll collect bacteria from the dog’s digestive system. The bacteria will break down the fecal matter using it as a food source. This reaction is what releases the unpleasant odors into the air.
However, these scents shouldn’t be overwhelming. If your dog’s poop is too pungent, there may be something wrong with their digestion and could be worth further investigation.
If your dog poop has jelly in it, then you’ll definitely want to read our post, Dog is Pooping Jelly: (What To Do)
And if your dog is suffering from diarrhea and you’re struggling to pick it up, you might like to read our post, Picking up Dog Diarrhea: on grass, in public, at the park
Garden Lime Action on Dog Poop
As we mentioned, the main culprit behind the foul odor of your dog poop is the bacteria. Therefore, it makes sense that getting rid of the bacteria should resolve the scent.
The easiest way to do that is to create an inhospitable environment. This is a state where the microorganism can no longer multiply or grow.
We can achieve this by changing the pH of the surrounding area. And garden lime is an excellent way of doing that.
We make garden lime by grounding down limestone, rock, or dolomite, all with a high calcium content.
Since the chemical is basic, it can increase the pH of the dog poop quite rapidly. Doing so will stop the bacteria from breaking down the fecal matter and creating a terrible odor.
Is Lime Harmful to Dogs?
Garden lime comes in a few different forms and concentrations. Some of these are safe for dogs, while others aren’t.
Before you pick up a bag, though, make sure the packaging clearly states that it’s pet-safe.
We recommend the following brand of garden lime for your pet, which on their website states that it is safe for dogs, and that dogs can be around it immediately after use:
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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25LB Fast Acting Lime | $33.46 | Buy on Amazon |
However, you should definitely discourage a dog that decides that the garden lime looks tasty!
While this should be fine in small doses, if they consume too much lime, it may cause health issues.
Can Lime Break Down Dog Poop?
Due to its high pH, garden lime can be an incredibly corrosive substance. It can eat through organic material, and may even cause rashes if it makes contact with skin.
This makes it the perfect tool to get rid of dog poop quickly, and the stink that comes with it. But it also means that it’s dangerous if you get it in your eyes and to a lesser extent, on your skin.
Let’s take a look at how you can use the chemical to clean up after your dog.
Step 1: Set Up Precautions
Since lime can be a dangerous chemical, it’s best to take a few precautions. For starters, make sure you have the appropriate gear.
This will involve you covering up any visible skin. For that reason, you’ll want to wear long sleeves, pants, and a pair of gloves.
On top of that, it’s a good idea to wear a mask, especially when using the powder. Don’t use the lime on a windy day or you might get a face full.
Step 2: Choose the Right Garden Lime
Garden lime comes in two main forms:
- Powder
- Pellets
The powder will have a much larger surface area than the pellets. That means it can dissolve dog poop quite a bit faster, and will also adhere to the poop better.
In addition, you can be a lot more precise with measurement when you use powder. Unfortunately, that’s where the benefits end.
Using powdered lime can get incredibly messy. Even a simple breeze can push the fine particles around and create a white smoke cloud.
So, when you need to get rid of dog poop quickly, use the powder. Otherwise, it may be less of a hassle to stick to the pellets.
Once you pick a type, sprinkle a generous amount of lime on and around the fecal matter, keeping the application as accurate as possible.
Step 3: Wait for the Garden Lime to Take Effect
Lime isn’t a magical solution that will make the dog poop disappear instantly. Instead, it’ll take a few days for the chemical to completely break down the fecal matter.
For that reason, the second step of the process involves a little waiting.
After sprinkling the lime, let it sit there for about two or three days. During this time, the chemical will absorb most of the moisture from the poop and cause it to break down.
Step 4: Flush Out the Lime
Once a few days have gone by, it’s time to get rid of the excess lime. The easiest way to do that is with a garden hose.
Set the water pressure to the lowest setting and give the area a good once-over. Make sure to spray any white patches on the ground.
Not only will this get rid of the lime, but it’ll also help keep your garden looking fresh and healthy.
Or alternatively, if the garden lime has dried the dog poop up, you can scoop it up for easy disposal.
What Type of Lime Do You Put on Dog Poop?
There are three main types of lime that we usually use:
- Caustic
- Hydrated
- Non-caustic
Caustic lime is the most concentrated version, which makes it the most corrosive. Luckily, that means it can dissolve poop and other organic material in no time.
This is probably why we refer to the chemical as quick lime.
Hydrated lime is incredibly similar to caustic, but with more moisture. This makes it easier to use but dilutes the effects of the chemical.
Finally, non-caustic is the mildest out of the three. It can still break down organic matter but at a much slower rate.
Technically, you can use any of the three varieties to neutralize dog poop. Although, the non-caustic version is a tad safer to use.
Even though it’ll take the longest to work, it reduces the chances of skin burns. If you careful in the application, then all three are good to use, as long as the brand stipulates that it’s safe to use for dogs.
Is There Anything You Can Sprinkle on Dog Poop?
There are a few chemicals you can sprinkle on dog poop. Some of them work on dissolving the matter, while others focus more on neutralizing the odor.
For example, the LaSyL powder works on drying up the fecal matter and deodorizing it:
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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LaSyL Super Absorbent Powder - 100 Use, Solidify Body Fluids in 1 Min - Easy to Port Waste Liquid -... |
$25.90 |
Buy on Amazon |
Yet, chemicals like garden lime can do both. On top of that, lime is more affordable than most other dog poop solutions.
What Can I Spray on My Dog’s Poop?
If you prefer a liquid solution to dog poop, you’re in luck. There are plenty of chemicals you can use to get rid of fecal matter.
These include:
- White vinegar
- Bleach
- Enzymatic cleaners
White vinegar is a great way to break down dog poop. In addition, it may be safer than using a corrosive chemical like lime.
Vinegar does need a long while to take effect, though, so it may not be the most efficient substance to use.
Bleach will get rid of the problem right away, but it may cause a little damage. We all know how the clear liquid can eat through most organic materials.
Unfortunately, if you’re cleaning dog poop from the garden, then bleach isn’t a good idea. You can try diluting it significantly before you use it, but then it won’t be effective.
Finally, you can use enzymatic cleaners. These are usually safe and come with a variety of incredible scents.
You might also like to read our post, Is Scotts Thick’R Lawn Safe for Dogs, and Other Fertilizers?
Is Dog Poop Harmful to the Backyard?
Many people assume that dog poop can help fertilize their yards, but that’s not the case. Due to the eating habits of dogs, their fecal matter can actually be harmful to your backyard.
It can spread bacteria or parasites to the grass and soil and cause them to break down.
That’s why it’s crucial you sprinkle a little lime on dog poop as soon as possible. This will ensure your yard is safe while you take care of the fecal matter.
Wrapping Up
Can you put lime on dog poop? Yes, you can put garden lime on dog poop and it will neutralize the odor. It can also break down the poop so you can wash it away with a hose. Alternatively it will dry it up for easy scooping and disposal.
Besides lime, you can use white vinegar, bleach, or enzymatic cleaner to dissolve dog poop. However, in our opinion, lime is the best choice for this task.
