Reducing Your Dog’s Carbon Pawprint for an Eco and Pet-Friendly Home
There will always be many things to consider when it comes to keeping a pet like a dog. First and foremost, the focus is on the obvious: what they eat, where they sleep, and how to train them and keep them in overall good health.
Another thing that pet owners need to consider carefully, is adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle for both you and your fur baby. Not only will this help you do your part in caring for the environment; a more eco-friendly approach to pet ownership, with particular attention to your dog’s carbon pawprint, may also result in a safer and healthier space for your dog to play and live in.
Here are some tips you can follow to make your life at home with your dog better for you, them, and the planet.
1) Buy High-Quality Products to Lessen Constant Purchases
Oftentimes, it’s tempting to spoil your dog by buying them tons of toys and accessories. However, buying too many things also means having to deal with more packaging to dispose of, which in turn contributes to the waste stream. That’s on top of low-quality products that have short service lives and quickly accumulate in the world’s landfills.
Of course, that’s not to say you can’t buy your pet the things that they need and then some. Rather, it should be a matter of prioritizing the necessities, and then thinking twice before buying the ones that don’t quite fall under that category.
Make quality a top consideration for your purchases as well. Investing in well-made pet accessories means getting to use them for longer, thus lessening the need to purchase another as a replacement.
For example, dog stainless steel bowls are both safe and sturdy for your pet while also being the more sustainable choice compared to cheap plastic ones.
2) Choose Eco-Friendly Pet Products
When you do have to buy things for your pet, try to check if there’s an eco-friendly option available. For one, less plastic would be great overall to help reduce the presence of many other plastic items in our landfills.
If you’re shopping for pet toys, explore ones made with biodegradable materials such as hemp or natural rubber so there’s less harm caused even when they’re disposed of.
For your pet’s grooming products, your top choice should be those with natural and non-toxic ingredients.
Plant-based pet shampoo, organic pet soap, and the like are all viable options, provided that they’re pet-safe. Check as well for products that come in eco-friendly packaging, again to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by your household.
3) Be Responsible When Cleaning Up Pet Waste
No pet owner likes to find a brown grass patch on their lawn but the reality is, if you have a pet, they will seek to relieve themselves where it feels more natural to them. Irresponsible disposal of pet waste can lead to polluted waterways and may even cause diseases for both humans and other pets. For that reason, you should commit to cleaning up your dog’s waste in an eco-friendly manner.
There are several ways that you can do this; one would be to use biodegradable disposal options such as compostable poop bags and paper. You should also opt for washable training pads for your dogs instead of buying disposable ones to lessen the amount of waste you need to throw out.
If you have free space in your backyard, another great option would be to start a pet waste compost project. You can then use the compost from here as fertilizer for your non-edible plants.
Just be sure to do your research first on proper composting methods to guide you.
4) Try the DIY Route for Their Treats and Toys
While buying pet products is indeed convenient, homemade ones are better for the environment in the long run. So if you have the time and don’t mind putting in the effort, why not try making your own treats and toys to give to your dog?
A quick search online can yield various easy-to-make dog treat recipes, which can be cheaper, less resource-heavy, and even more delicious for your dog to eat.
Moreover, since you’re the one who will be making them, you can ensure that they're filled with ingredients that your dog will love and are safe for them. As for DIY toys, old shirts and towels can be cut and fashioned into rope toys that you can add to your dog’s rotation.
5) Stick to Energy-Efficient Practices for Pet Care
You can also roll out more energy-efficient pet care practices in your household in a variety of ways. For example, instead of driving your dog to a park for exercise, try walking them around the neighborhood instead to save on car use.
If you have pet care gadgets that consume energy, such as monitoring cameras or smart feeders, consider keeping their use at a minimum. As an alternative, take your pet outside where you can watch over them and bond with them more often.
6) Conserve Water
Last but not least, try to reduce water consumption, especially when bathing your dog. Something as simple as turning off the water while you shampoo your dog can help significantly conserve your water supply. You may also try using dry shampoos occasionally to save on the bath altogether.
Meanwhile, if you have a pet fountain at home, be sure that you’re using a filter to keep the water in it clean for longer.
Last thoughts
As seen above, eco-friendly and pet-friendly can certainly go hand-in-hand, so long as you’re willing to make the necessary adjustments to your pet care practices and buying habits. With these tips in mind, may you build a home that is not only safe and comfortable for your dog, but also one that contributes to a healthier planet.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.
