The environment needs our help and one of the ways you can help is by being an eco-friendly pet parent. If you’re a pet parent who’s committed to green living, you’ve probably given much consideration to reducing your global footprint. But did you know that pets can sometimes have a more significant environmental impact than we do? Let’s take a deep dive into sustainability tips for pet owners that can reduce that impact. It’s easy, makes your pets healthier, and may even save you money.
1. Adopting
Adoption from shelter homes plays a huge role in this aspect. The overgrowing population of dogs and cats in our country is of serious concern and I would greatly urge anyone thinking of getting a new pet to adopt and not shop!
2. Turn Your Trash into Toys
“Another man’s trash is another pet’s treasure,” Instead of buying brand new toys that may not last, consider turning things you already have into pet toys. For instance, boxes from online deliveries make great cat playhouses. Buy old balls from yard sales or tie knots in old t-shirts to make tug toys.
3. Feed Your Pets Fresh Food Over Packaged Food
Very often, pet parents opt to feed their dogs or cats processed food like kibbles. Not only has this kind of food been proven to be unhealthy for animals, it almost always comes packaged in plastic. If you have the time, the best option is to offer your pet’s food cooked at home keeping in mind their nutritional needs (talk to your vet if you’re unsure about how to proceed). If this seems difficult, you can do your bit for the environment by swapping out plastic food packets for canned food, after which the metal can be recycled. Use caution while transitioning cats and dogs to a different diet, and make sure you introduce new foods gradually.
4. Make Your Own Pet Treats
All-natural pet foods aren’t only better for your pet, but for the environment as well. While you’re cooking dinner for yourself, make something for your pet too. Making your own pet treats and even pet food eliminates waste from cans and bags. If you’re not sure which ingredients are safe for your pet, talk to your vet first.
5. Look For Recycled Packaging
Whenever you buy products for your pets, check to see if the packaging was made using recycled raw materials. Of course, recycle any packaging that you can. It only takes a few minutes to check the packaging and it’s one of the easiest ways to be an eco-friendlier pet owner.
6. Use Natural Pet Care Products
Many pet care products contain harsh chemicals that contaminate the water supply. Of course, those chemicals aren’t safe for your pets either. Try an eco-friendly approach to pet care by using natural pet care products instead. Use products made of natural ingredients, making them safe for your pet and the environment.
7. Don’t Horde Pet Paraphernalia
One of the biggest problems is that of clothes, beds, leashes, and a lot of other pet paraphernalia. With brands becoming more environmentally conscious, the availability of eco-friendly products has significantly increased. Pet parents should take this route rather than purchasing low-quality, non-biodegradable products that have a short life and reach the waste cycle sooner. Consider dog leashes that are made from bamboo or hemp. Their leather or plastic counterparts on the other hand have a very significant environmental impact. What is also really important here is to reuse items, donate them if you have no use for them, or find a new purpose for them. For pet parents whose pups have grown up, if you’re planning on getting a second one then keeping the first pup’s belongings in good shape is a great idea. Many animal NGOs also welcome the donations of such products.
8. Go Green with Pet Potties
When you’re trying to be an eco-friendly pet parent, you might not think too much about your pet’s potty. Start by buying a pet-waste composter. Just remember that pet waste isn’t safe for fertilizing edible plants, so don’t place the compost on your vegetable or fruit garden. The next step is to switch to biodegradable poop bags for picking up your dog’s poop. You keep your hands clean, but the bag breaks down easily after it ends up in the landfill. For cats, use biodegradable cat litter or make your own from newspaper shavings or sawdust.
Make a few changes today for a better environment today and tomorrow. This article was originally written for and published on Upcyclers Lab. Find the original piece here.
