6 Things to Consider When Buying Dog Waste Bags
We have this belief that a dog waste bag should be so practical and easy to use that it shouldn’t cause any frustration. In the end, it’s a quick job to pick-up your dog’s poo and you want a tool that shares the same purpose.
Having a dog, we’ve tried a lot of bags out there and only when we got to the right one, we understood that quality does make a difference, yes, even in a dog waste bag. When we created the Smallish dog waste bags we kept these things in mind and made sure we checked all the most important boxes.
So, here are the things we think it’s important to pay attention to when you choose dog poop bags.
1. SIZE
Dogs are full of surprises so you want to be prepared. Your pup might seem small, but do not underestimate her pooping intentions. Bags that are at least 9 x 13 inches long will do their job great, for several reasons:
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big enough to host scary poops
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there’s enough space to tie it safely
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your hands and wrists stay clean, the bag’s length covers them well.
2. THICKNESS
It’s not a pleasant job, I think we all agree on that. If you tried a thin bag, you know that it’s a bit too descriptive on its feel. In other words, it’s almost like you don’t have a bag at all.
A thick bag protects an important sense in this matter: TOUCH. Look for bags that are 20 microns thick. They give you better protection, first because you feel less of what you’re picking up and secondly, they don’t rip that easy, they’re very strong, hold more and they don’t stretch like thin bags.
3. OPAQUE/ TRANSPARENT
Not all people like or have dogs to be ok with this part. I know, crazy. But to be honest, it’s not a pretty scene even for the one who picks up the waste. You’ve already seen it once, no need for a replay, it’s not a Game of Thrones trailer.
Usually, bags that are 20 microns thick, are already pretty opaque. But if you’re looking for a full disguise, choose black or dark-colored bags. Otherwise a light pink or light green, won’t quite cover it up. They look cute in a dispenser, but kind of lose their spark when filled with your dog’s waste.
4. SCENTED/ UNSCENTED
This is very subjective. Depending on your preference, pay attention to whether a bag is scented or unscented. For some people, an added scent, such as lavender, might be overpowering, especially combined with the smell from your dog’s waste. For others, if they are more sensitive, it might be a great help to cover up the unpleasant smell.
5. HOW THEY OPEN AND TEAR
If you have had previous experiences with bags that don’t open unless you wet your finger or you lose 5 pounds (appealing, right?) because it’s the 3rd bag in a row that rips then this aspect is an important one.
A lot of bags rip when you are trying to tear them from the roll. There isn’t something like 100% perfection, some bags might rip, your carefulness also counts.
But a high-quality bag will tear easily and will have indications of where to tear it. It will also open at a slight movement of your fingers. There might be some that stick a little too much, but if it happens with most of the bags then maybe you should consider other ones.
If it doesn’t ring a bell now, when it’s warm, think about 6 AM in January at 20°F.
This is a tough subject with lots of unanswered questions and very disputed across many industries that cover both dog waste disposal and plastic bags.
What we can advise you is to look for the most earth considerate dog waste bag. Whether it contains an EPI Additive, is ASTM 6954-04 compliant, compostable, made from cornstarch, or recycled materials are used for the box and core, choose a bag that is not pure plastic and can degrade in time.
Also, keep in mind that dog waste itself is toxic. Leaving it to decompose improperly can have a great impact on the soil and the water nearby.
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