Over the past few years, sustainable practices have become more common in households. Whether you compost or try to avoid buying plastic products, there are many ways to adopt environmentally friendly practices in your everyday life. In fact, how we care for our pets can have a significant impact on our environment. From the toys they play with to the food they eat, the products we use to care for our furry friends have repercussions. Luckily, there are easy, eco-friendly practices you can adopt with your pet to create a greener, more sustainable tomorrow!

#1 Sustainable Pet Food

Just like humans, nutrition is important for our canine companions. Unfortunately, many meat-based pet foods require extensive water to produce and, in the process, emit greenhouse gases. Conventional pet foods and sustainable pet foods are differentiated by the following:

• Conventional: heavily processed ingredients, non-recyclable packaging, higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainable: ethically sourced ingredients, recyclable or compostable packaging, balanced and organic nutrition.

As you can see, plant-based dog foods are the most environmentally conscious choice. However, if you are set on meat-based pet food for your puppy or adult dog, poultry- or fish-based formulas are cleaner alternatives to red meat products. Transitioning your canine companion’s diet doesn’t happen overnight, but choosing to go green benefits both your dog’s diet and the environment!

#2 Clean Up After Your Dog

Did you know that cleaning up your pet’s waste has positive environmental impacts? Picking up your dog’s waste while on a walk or in your yard prevents fecal runoff, a hazardous process where bits of feces enter our rivers, lakes, and streams. Consequently, fecal runoff impacts the cleanliness of our drinking water. In addition to picking up your pet’s waste, choosing biodegradable poop bags reduces any plastic waste from entering our environment. Sustainable waste practices can make a huge difference!

#3 Choose Sustainable Pet Products

We all love to treat our furry friends to fun toys and snacks. Unfortunately, many materials used to create dog toys are made of plastics and synthetic materials. To reduce your plastic intake, choose dog toys made of eco-friendly materials and recycled rubber. This eco-conscious practice extends beyond toys to collars, leashes, and treats. You can certainly find sustainable options for these products in many stores!

#4 Green Grooming

Many grooming products, such as shampoos and conditioners, contain harsh chemicals that not only impact the environment but also your pup. Fortunately, many pet cleaning products are made with natural, organic ingredients. Reusable grooming tools made of metal or bamboo can also be a great choice to reduce future waste. While you are washing your furry friend, avoid using more water than needed by turning off the tap between rinses. These seemingly small shifts in your pet’s grooming routine have positive environmental impacts.

#5 Adopt, Don’t Shop

The greenest practice of them all is to adopt, not shop. To avoid mass breeding facilities that use large amounts of resources, you can visit your local pet shelter and save a life! Further, adoption is the environmentally conscious choice, as it decreases the strain on local shelters and supports population control. If you’re ready for a canine companion, visit your local shelters to find your new friend.

Embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to end with you! Reduce your pup’s environmental pawprint with any and all of these small changes. By adopting a conscientious lifestyle for you and your furry friend, you can feel confident you are making the world a better place.