We love our pets, and we know you do too! Households all over the world cherish their dogs, cats, hamsters and pet fish. But there’s a downside to owning a pet… From pet food to toys and animal waste, our beloved animals have an influence on climate change and pollution. As responsible pet owners, it’s up to us to manage our pet’s environmental pawprint! Let’s take a look at some tips to make pet ownership and care more sustainable.
1. Reduce your purchases of pet products. Your sweet pooch doesn’t need all the best and newest toys, treats, and beds. Overbuying these items can create a lot of waste! Whether from packaging or production, excess of anything produces unnecessary pollution and waste. Try to keep your purchase to a minimum and only buy what’s needed.
2. D-I-Y! Your pup needs enrichment, but per our last point, you shouldn’t be buying hundreds of toys and activities! When you can, recycle and up-cycle materials into fun activities for your pet. Sully is very fond of the snuffle mat that his mom made out of an old blanket! It’s pink, but he doesn’t mind!
3. Make sure you’re disposing of waste properly. Leaving pet waste in the environment is more than just a nuisance to your neighbours. It can also pose health risks to other animals – both domestic and wild. If they are available to you, buy compostable waste bags as well. Just make sure they are truly biodegradable per your local area’s waste disposal method. Some products do not decompose in landfill, while others may not be accepted in your local compost facility. Make sure you are aware of these factors in your community when making your selection!
4. Choose responsibly-sourced pet food. The pet food industry doesn’t have the best environmental reputation: dogs and cats are carnivores and need meat as the primary source of dietary protein. Meat production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s important to choose more brands that adhere to sustainable and ethical practices.
These are our top 4, but there are certainly plenty more sustainability tips for responsible pet care. What sustainable practices do you incorporate with you pets? Let us know!