Best Dog Proof Trash Can

Simple Human Butterfly

Simple Human Semi-Round

Toter Bear Proof

Coming home to a littered house is not a surprise if you own a dog. Most of the time, they are charming, but once in a while, they have to explore their naughty side. They will then give you those adorable and sorry eyes. Well, what do we say?

Come to think of it; it’s not just about your pup messing your kitchen or living room, but also very unhygienic for both of you. Letting out the contents of the trash can may expose you to harmful microorganisms from stale pieces of edibles that can make you and your pooch fall sick.

It is, therefore, crucial to get one of these cans. However, there a several of them in the market, which might be very confusing as you try to select one that suits you and your pooch best. They have different features, advantages, and disadvantages.

Therefore, it depends on what you find more important. Is it one that meets functionality? Or affordability? Or even both? The good news, however, is that I will take through the necessary things that you need to know to make a wise choice.

Below are five dog proof trash cans that I highly recommend that you read through whenever you have some free time.

Best Dog Proof Trash Can List


Simple Human Butterfly

Who said trash cans should be dull? What I love about this one is that its top takes the shape of a butterfly and will not pose any challenges as you dispose off your rubbish. It also features a step pedal; both of these characteristics will ensure that your furry friend can not liter your house whenever he feels like.

What is its size? It is 45 liters, which is big enough to hold dirt for an adequate amount of time. You must be wondering about the material used in making it. Well, it is robust and made from steel that is not only stain-free but also requires fingerprints for you to access it. Therefore, you can be sure that it will serve you right and that you will use it for quite a long time.

And guess what? It takes a slim shape and will, therefore, not occupy much of your space. It means that once you set it up in the corner, you will not even notice that it is there. Its lid also doesn’t make noise whenever you are closing it. It will ensure that your pup doesn’t feel aggravated, which may make him curious about the contents of the can. 


  • Comes with a butterfly-shaped top
  • Fitted with a step pedal
  • Made from steel which is free of any stains and will not let the pup get to the contents of the can
  • Due to its slim shape, it will take up very little space
  • Its lid doesn’t make noise when you close it 


  • Some customers made complaints about food particles sticking to the lid


Simple Human Semi-Round

If you want a can that can spice up your kitchen look with some fashion sense, then this one could have been made for you. For starters, it has a slide lock that will ensure that your canine friend can’t get to your waste and cause a mess in the house.

It is also very sturdy and will last a long time before it starts being useless. If you maintain it, it could take forever. And if you want it to match the other kitchen devices, it has a variety of finishes for you to choose from. These include black, grey, blue, violet, stone, mocha, and fuchsia.

It also comes with a durable pedal and doesn’t make any noise as you close it. It is because it can absorb shock. And in case you are worried that it could malfunction like any product in the market, it comes with a warranty of five years to ensure that you are fully satisfied. It is 50 liters and 14* 18.9* 26.5 inches in size.


  • Very secure
  • Stylish
  • Comes in a variety of finishes
  • Durable
  • Has a five-year warranty
  • It doesn’t make any noise when you close it


  • A few customers had a hard time assembling the can


Toter Bear Proof

How big is your pooch? Well, if he is enormous, other small refuse cans may not stop him. But this Toter Bear Can could just be the solution. It is because of its toughness and large size, which is 96 gallons.

Is it secure? Yes, it is. It is because it comes with a sturdy lid that is made of steel and double-walled. It also makes your work more comfortable since it features two wheels. They will enable you to slant it whenever you want to put some content in and quickly put it back to place.

What about its finish? It is Blackstone, and let’s face it; after some time, it will end up with scratches or start wearing out. Hence with such a finish, it is not going to be very visible. It means that you can use it for a longer time.


  • It has a smaller size of 64 gallons for you to choose from
  • Durable
  • Secure with a robust lid
  • Large for bigger and therefore stronger dogs
  • Comes with two wheels to prevent any strain on your end
  • Comes in a Blackstone finish which is likely to hide unwanted marks


  • It may be too large for indoor purposes



If you are looking for a junk can that is not too small nor too big, this could be ideal for you. It is because it measures 24 gallons and 375* 20.375* 32.365 inches. However, it is perfect for smaller dogs. Its lid bears considerable weight, which will prevent your canine friend from accessing the garbage even when the can falls.

Its outer side is made of steel while the inner one is made of plastic, which should make it sturdier and not pose any challenges during its cleaning. One unique thing I love about this can is that it has a mechanical seal, which prevents your pup from smelling the odor from the inside.

It also features a beautiful red finish that you and your family are likely to fall for on sight. And you won’t have to use your hands while throwing away rubbish due to its foot pedal, which has that covered.


  • Durable
  • Comes in a pretty red finish
  • It is effortless to clean unlike some cans in the market
  • Has a heavy lid
  • The curiosity of your pup is reduced due to the mechanical seal that prevents the leakage


  • It is costly if you hadn’t planned for it


Trash Buddy

You do not have to buy a new refuse can, instead you can upgrade the one that you already have. It is by purchasing this lid strap that will keep your pooch from getting to the waste. It also keeps squirrels and raccoons off.

The strap allows the lid to open when the need arises. What about its installation? In case you are worried about that, all you need is a Phillips screwdriver, and you are good to go. It also comes with a variety of brackets, which are three in number, to ensure that it is of perfect fit to your can. It means it can be as tight as you want.

This product is also made in the USA. Therefore, you can stop worrying about its authenticity even though there are many counterfeit goods out there.


  • It saves you the trouble of buying a new garbage can
  • Made in the USA
  • Has a total of three brackets 


  • Some customers claim that it does not entirely keep the raccoons away as promised

Is it necessary to get a dog proof trash can?

Yes, it is. Exposing your pup to the garbage in your can is dangerous. For starters, your trash includes all kinds of things that could be sharp and therefore pierce him, either in his mouth or legs, as he goes on his exploration endeavors.

These same objects could still choke him. And if you are away at work, he might not get the help he needs to avoid the worst from happening. You don’t want to come home and find that your furry friend is no more.

Thirdly, your pooch can come across substances that pose a lot of risk to his health. These include stale food substances that may have acquired bacteria or chemicals such as perfumes. These may make him fall sick. It also means unexpected expenses that you might not be ready for.

The fourth reason is the fact that every time your pup goes through your refuse, it adds more work on your list. Therefore, instead of coming home from work to freshen up and prepare something to revitalize you, you have to start by cleaning the kitchen to clear the mess.

The last reason is the fact that garbage contains all kinds of substances, which is not just unhealthy for your dog but also for you. The bacteria may give you infections or diseases that you wouldn’t get if you didn’t own a dog in the first place.

Why do pooches go through waste?

Have you ever wondered why your pup is somehow addicted to littering your house with garbage? Well, there are a few reasons. These include:

The odor from the can

It is the main reason why your dog always finds himself near the can. Would you blame him? For instance, if you had ribs for dinner, your pup could still smell them in the can, and he will want to have some.
How can you solve this? It may be wise to have another bin outside the house. It will enable you to get rid of such food that is likely to attract your canine friend from the house.


How well are you feeding your pup? The truth is that whatever you are providing may not sustain him for long. Therefore, he has to go searching for more in the refuse. The more your pooch grows, the more the amount of food his body needs to function.

Therefore, you can start by adding more food to his usual diet. If the habit seizes, you have your solution. If it does not, ask his veterinary doctor about the suitable menu and the quantity that is best for him at his age.


Would you believe that dogs can go through junk because they are bored? Well, you better do. If your pup is always by himself when you leave for work, and doesn’t have anything to get him going, he will resort to the only exciting thing in his mind, which in this case is the rubbish can.

How do you deal with this? It might be a good idea to get him anything that will keep him occupied. The busier he is, the better. You could start by getting him toys. There are a variety of options that you can check online or in the nearest dog store.

Apart from getting a dog proof trash can, what else can you do?

Redesign your house

Changing the order of the items in your home is one of the remedies. It may sound insane, but it is helpful. You can do this to ensure that the can is far from reach by your pup. You could place it behind some furniture that your pooch is not likely to get through.

Nonetheless, they are very cunning and persistent. It means that you will have to be more imaginative.

Train your pup

Another thing you could do to get rid of the habit is training him to stop the behavior. You could ask your veterinary doctor for some advice or seek the services of a dog trainer. These two options will cost you something.

However, you can still go online, where you may find out how other people got rid of the same behavior with their furry friends. You never know, it could work for you too.

Consider sprays that pooches do not like

Just like everyone, there are smells that dogs do not like. You could consider bitter apple spray. Once you launch it near the can, your pup will want nothing to do with that area of the house. He wouldn’t even want to be near it.

Get rid of waste often

Another viable solution to your problem is making it a habit to empty the can. It will ensure that your pup does not get curious and start exploring the can’s contents for his satisfaction.

Keep him busy

Like I had mentioned earlier, you can do this by getting him toys, just like we do with children. You could also consider spending more time with him. He could be doing all that because he doesn’t have someone to play and hang out with. Therefore, he tries to find ways of satisfying his loneliness with the excitement of mischief.

Purchasing Guide

The search for the most appropriate and effective dog proof trash can may be both exhausting and confusing. After all, you do not want to go through all that effort for nothing. However, there are a few features that I will go through shortly. They will help you to determine what you should prioritize as you go about this exercise.


No one likes to invest in a product that they will only use for a short period. And the garbage can is not any different. Therefore, ensure that the can that you buy is made from durable materials, whether you place it in the house or out there to meet the purposes you have in mind.

You could consider one made from stainless steel even though they tend to be expensive. But it is worth the value. However, you should ensure that you do not end up with some junk in the name of a garbage can.


What is the size of the can that you would like to get? The sizes vary from as small as eleven to ninety-six gallons. However, there are two considerations to put in mind concerning this. The first is the size of your dog.

The truth is that the larger the dog, the bigger the size of the can that should serve you right. It is because big dogs are more destructive compared to the small ones. Therefore, you will need a reliable and large can to keep the cans out of reach.

The second one is where you would like to place it. If you want a can that can stay within the house, you might have to consider the small to medium-sized ones. But if you are going to put it outside, it can be as big as you want. There is no limit.


How secure is the refuse can? For example, some cans come with a lock to ensure that there is no way the pup can get to the garbage. Others simply have heavy lids that you can close and a foot pedal.
You must also note that dogs are very keen, and they could learn to step on the pedal after a while. It might, therefore, be wise to get cans with more height. They could be slim and long.


It is generally about how it looks. If you are a man, you may not mind much about this factor. However, for women, a trash can that looks good is a plus. It could be the color of the finishing, which vary from the dull ones to the bright ones.

It could be Blackstone or even red. For example, for the ones that I took you through, one of them had a variety of finishes for you to choose from, while others only had one. Another had a slide lock, while another had a butterfly-shaped lid.

However, the functionality should come before style. Furthermore, the more stylish it is, the more costly it is likely to be.

Easy to clean

It is okay for the waste can to be dirty, but every once in a while, it has to be cleaned. Otherwise, it could rebrand the house with a stench smell. However, does your trash can pose difficulties during this exercise?
For example, if it is too big, it might take you longer. It may make you hate the action, unlike when the work to be done is simple. You even feel encouraged to do it more often. Therefore, you could consider one that you can easily clean.

Ease in its installation

Your rubbish can may come as a whole or in parts for you to assemble them. If it is a whole, you are lucky you won’t have additional work before you use it. However, if you have to, you may have to ensure that you get detailed instructions if it doesn’t come with a manual.

It may, therefore, be a good idea to confirm from the seller about all these specifications in relation to the can that you have chosen.


Just like every other product, you will feel secure if the garbage can comes with a guarantee that in case it doesn’t function as promised, you can contact the seller to exchange it or make the necessary repairs.


I genuinely appreciate for your time. I hope that my information was useful. I reviewed five dog proof trash cans that I highly propose that you go for. I also compiled a few considerations for you to watch out as you go hunting.

However, my top choice for you is the Simple Human Butterfly Trash Can. Why would I pick it? For starters, it meets both functionality and style. It is because of its unique butterfly top, a sturdy foot pedal, and the fact that it is made from stain-free steel.

These features will not only make it easy for you to put away your junk but also prevent your furry friend from littering your house like before. It also comes with a noise-free lid and is slim in shape to occupy as little space as possible.

If it suits your specifications, you should get one already!

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply