Your pupper is part of your family, so it makes sense that you’d want to include them in your efforts to live a more sustainable life. Your furried friend brings you so much love and loyalty, but they also come with lots of stuff – from pet food to poop bags. As you work to reduce your footprint, it’s worth looking to your four legged best friend for additional ways you can reduce and add more sustainability to your lifestyle.
Our furry friends can have a bigger environmental impact than we realize, but with a few smart choices, you can reduce your dog’s pawprint and make a real difference. These small, mindful changes will not only help the planet but might even enhance your dog’s well-being, something every dog parent can get behind. Here’s how:
1. Opt for Eco-Friendly Dog Toys
Ready to up your game when it comes to playtime? Start with eco-friendly dog toys that are as kind to the Earth as they are fun for your pup. Think toys made from recycled plastics, natural rubber, or sustainable hemp—these aren’t just buzzwords; they’re durable, planet-friendly choices that stand up to even the most enthusiastic chewer.
Feeling crafty? Get creative with DIY dog toys using upcycled materials you’ve got lying around. Old t-shirts or mismatched socks can be twisted and braided into tug toys your dog will love. It’s a win-win: you cut down on waste, and your pup gets a new favorite plaything. Time to turn playtime into a planet-friendly activity!
2. Choose Natural Grooming Products
When it comes to grooming, what you put on your dog’s coat matters just as much as what you put in their bowl. Dogs lick themselves on a daily basis and the wrong bathing chemicals can be a recipe for tummy troubles. Natural grooming products, packed with ingredients you can actually pronounce, are not only gentler on your dog’s skin but also kinder to the planet. Shampoos and conditioners made with botanical extracts and essential oils avoid the harsh chemicals that can harm both your pup and the environment. Plus, they leave your dog’s coat looking glossy and smelling fresh without any of the synthetic nastiness.
It’s actually surprisingly common to find potentially harmful ingredients like parabens and formaldehyde in conventional pet grooming products. Here is a list of ingredients to look out for and stay away from:
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium-15
- SD Alcohol 40
- Monoethanolamide
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
- Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Focus instead on paraben-free and sulfate-free cleansers which are free of dyes, fragrances, and preservatives. Shorter ingredients lists are often a good sign, as well as those which use natural cleansing agents like Castille soap, coconut oil, and aloe vera. You can even make your own dog shampoo with equal parts Castille soap and water. Adding half as much apple cider vinegar to the mix can help soothe sensitive skin and repel pests, while adding a teaspoon or two of jojoba, olive or coconut oil will ensure a healthy coat.
And it’s not just about what’s inside the bottle—ditching plastic grooming tools is another way to green up your routine. Look for brushes, combs, and nail clippers made from sustainable materials like bamboo. These eco-friendly alternatives are just as effective but won’t add to the mountain of plastic waste we’re all trying to avoid. So, next time your dog needs a bath, reach for products that are as good for the Earth as they are for your best friend.
3. Feed with Sustainability in Mind
You want to give your dog the healthiest food so they will be around for many healthy years. But what goes into your dog’s bowl is more than just fuel—it’s another opportunity to make a positive impact on the world around you. Sustainable dog food options are on the rise, with many brands offering organic ingredients and protein sources that are better for the environment, like sustainably caught fish or free-range meats. These choices not only support more humane and eco-friendly farming practices but also give your dog high-quality nutrition without the added junk.
Because dogs are omnivores, they don’t need a pure meat diet. Cutting down on the amount of carbon-heavy meat in their diet for more nutritiously balanced and sustainable options can go a long way to helping reduce your pet’s carbon footprint. Make sure to consult with your vet however to be sure you're giving your dog the right mix for their specific needs.
This is also an exciting emerging market of innovation for sustainable food in general. Companies have sprouted up which produce a variety of sustainable protein options, such as lab-grown meat, insect-sourced protein, small mammal meat and other less carbon-heavy options.
Packaging matters too. Look for dog food brands that use recyclable or biodegradable packaging, cutting down on the waste that ends up in landfills. Some companies even offer bulk-buying options to reduce packaging altogether. By choosing sustainable dog food, you’re not just feeding your dog—you’re feeding a movement toward a healthier planet.
4. What to Do with all that Poo
If there’s one downside to being a dog-owner, most of us can agree on, it’s the daily doo doos. And if you’re working on being more environmentally-conscious about your use of plastics, you’ve probably already wondered how to get rid of all those plastic poop bags. You may have even considered composting all of that poop. But before you do, there’s some rules of nature that need to be followed:
Don’t just bury the poop in the backyard: Unless you have safeguards in place and a huge swath of land, simply burying poop can be more harmful to the environment than dumping those traditional poop bags in the trash. That’s because dog waste can be contaminated with lots of nasty organisms which can spread in the dirt. The chemical composition of the waste can also damage the surrounding ecosystem.
Don’t add to your compost pile: Unless you want to spoil your entire compost collection and create a noxious environment for your neighbors, resist the urge to put poop in your personal pile.
Double check if your community composts pet waste: Many communities are beginning to offer curbside compost collection. While this is super helpful for organic waste like food scraps, many of these programs do not accept dog waste. A few areas are however creating community collection sites, so research locally your region’s options.
While there are many obstacles in sustainable dog waste disposal, you do have some options. First, you can start your own dedicated compost bin specifically for pet waste. Make sure this is away from your regular compost and is tightly secured to avoid contaminating the surrounding area or causing significant stink. It’s important to use natural compostable poop bags to make this process even greener. Just make sure you follow safety guidelines, like not using the compost on edible plants, and giving it plenty of time to break down.
If DIY composting isn’t your thing, check out local community programs or services that specialize in pet waste composting. Look for compostable dog poop bags which are made of plant-based substances rather than plastic; this prevents the need for producing further plastic. And since most items that are destined for landfill will be contained in environments where breaking down is not possible, it’s best to focus on minimizing the production of plastic, rather than opting for plastics which may or may not break down. This also helps to avoid the production of further microplastics.
5. Choose Sustainable Pet Accessories
Your dog’s accessories are more than just stylish—they’re an opportunity to make a sustainable choice. Eco-friendly dog toothbrushes, collars, leashes, and bedding made from materials like hemp or recycled fabrics offer durability without sacrificing the planet. Hemp, for example, is a fast-growing, renewable resource that’s incredibly strong and long-lasting, making it a great alternative to traditional nylon or plastic-based products. Recycled fabric options not only reduce waste but also give a second life to materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Durability is key when choosing pet accessories. High-quality, sustainable items may cost a little more upfront, but they last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and cutting down on waste. Plus, with more brands embracing eco-friendly production, it’s easier than ever to find stylish, sustainable options that fit your pet’s needs and your planet-friendly values. Whether it’s a tough hemp collar or a cozy recycled bed, you’re making a choice that benefits both your dog and the environment.
8. Every Good Girl or Boy Deserves Sustainable Dog Treats
Dogs love their treats! And if you have a dog with endless amounts of energy, you know how much of a sanity-saver a long-lasting chew treat can be. Rawhide (untanned animal skins and by-products) can be dangerous for dogs because they pose a choking risk as well as increase the danger of a serious digestive blockage.
Thankfully there are better alternatives that are more sustainable. Yak cheese, which is actually made from yak meat, is a more sustainable type of meat because yaks don’t contribute the level of greenhouse gasses which cows do. Other more sustainable options are emu and kangaroo bones, particularly if they are organic.
If you want to steer away from farmed animals, antler chews are becoming a popular option that relies on the shed antlers of deer. Antlers are becoming more popular over traditional bones since antlers don’t create the sharp splinters that bones do. Antlers are also a much more mess-free option compared to bones.
These choices not only offer hours of satisfying chew enjoyment, but each also offers additional nutritional benefits. Emu bone for instance is high in omega fatty acids and yak cheese is very high in protein while being gluten and lactose-free.
When it comes to choosing products for your dog, supporting green pet brands is a powerful way to make a difference. Brands that are committed to sustainability and ethical practices aren’t just offering great products—they’re driving a movement toward a more responsible and eco-friendly world.
Making eco-friendly choices in your daily pet care routine isn’t just good for the planet—it’s great for your dog, too. From sustainable toys and grooming products to composting waste and supporting green brands, these small changes can add up to a significant impact. By adopting these practices, you’re not only reducing your environmental footprint but also providing the best possible care for your furry friend.
As you explore these tips, be sure to check out our upcoming "Pets" section for more eco-friendly advice and products designed with both your pet and the planet in mind. Your dog deserves the best, and so does the Earth—let’s make it happen together.
Photo by @aysun-kahraman-oktem-3890106 on Pexels.