How to be an eco-friendly pet owner
Are you a pet owner? While you’re working toward a greener future, look for ways to make your pet supplies more eco-friendly.
From single-use plastic pet toys to carbon-intensive pet food, our furry friends can have a negative impact on the environment. In fact, in the U.S., pet food is responsible for a quarter of environmental impacts of meat production.1
If you have pets, consider our tips to become a more eco-friendly pet owner.
- Pet food. Stay away from “grain-free” food, which contributes to an increase in meat consumption and may not actually be healthier for cats or dogs.2
- Zero waste pet toys. Instead of buying brand new toys, consider repurposing old items like baseballs or toilet paper rolls to reduce waste. Just make sure your DIY toys are pet-safe!
- Make your own dog or cat treats. Store-bought pet treats often come with wasteful plastic packaging. Make your own treats with human food that is safe for your pet to eat. There are many easy animal-safe biscuit recipes as well as food scraps that are pet-safe.
- Biodegradable waste bags. Single-use plastic bags for dog waste are unsustainable, so consider using biodegradable bags to clean up after your dog instead. And if you compost, you can put dog feces in your compost pile.
- Eco-friendly cat litter. Americans dispose of two million tons of cat litter every year.3 Instead of using unsustainable clay or silica cat litter, consider using a biodegradable option.
Next time you run out of supplies for your pet, make sure to look for eco-friendly and zero waste items at the pet store. By living a greener lifestyle, you can help preserve the planet for all of us — and our pets.
- Amy Fleming, “Pet food is an environmental disaster – are vegan dogs the answer?,” The Guardian, June 26, 2018.
- Amy Fleming, “Pet food is an environmental disaster – are vegan dogs the answer?,” The Guardian, June 26, 2018.
- “Ask Umbra on sustainable choices for cat litter,” Grist, July 26, 2010.