7 Ways of Being an Eco-Friendly Dog Owner

The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.

Richard Rogers

It is the cumulation of all the small acts we do daily that become a large part of the solution for a better future. As pawrents there are several easy steps we can take to reduce our environmental footprint. Meat production emits 60% of all greenhouse gasses globally – the production of meat for dog food contributes to this. Meat production also requires a lot of resources such as land, water and feed. As a conscious consumer, how do you become a more eco-friendly dog owner?

1. Feed Eco-Friendly Dog Food

The biggest contribution to reducing your dog’s ecological footprint is to give it more sustainable dog food. Dog food based on, for example, insect protein is complete and more environmentally friendly compared to other meat-based food. Production of insect protein requires significantly less water, land and other natural resources compared to meat. Insects are also a good source of nutrients such as fibre, minerals and good fats. In fact, black soldier fly larvae contain more zinc than lean meat and more calcium than milk.

However, you may wonder if dog food based on plants or insects is healthy. To be healthy, dogs need high-quality protein, good fat, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Protein does not, however, need to come from fish, chicken or beef. Insects contain all the 10 essential amino acids dogs need and are a complete protein of very high quality without growth hormones or antibiotics.

2. Poop Bags

As you are well aware, dogs poop. And they poop a lot. Picking up after them with plastic bags will contribute to more plastic waste that cannot be recycled. Substitute plastic packets with compostable ones made of vegetable starch.

Please note that some poop bags marked as environmentally friendly are made of biodegradable plastic. The bags never break down completely and eventually ends up as microplastic. The bags are often marked as biodegradable or eco-dog bags. Before purchasing, read on the packaging to see what they are made of.

If you have a big enough garden you could also dig your dog’s stool down or create a compost heap from the waste. Use the compost on your grass or ornamental plants, but do not use the compost on plants you intend to eat. Another alternative is to pick up the poop with toilet paper and flush it down the loo.

3. Natural Grooming

Everything that is washed down the drain ultimately ends up in our seas. What you put on your dog’s skin also enters their body. Grooming products can contain a lot of chemicals and ingredients that harm the environment and animal life. These ingredients include palm oil (from unsustainable sources), petrochemicals (paraffin, mineral oil and petroleum jelly) and fragrance. Some medical grooming products even have a warning that they are harmful to aquatic life. That is not something you want to wash down the drain, let alone put on your dog’s skin.

Natural grooming products and insect repellent that use plant-based oils, butters and essential oils from sustainable sources are therefore better for your dog and the planet. Become an eco-friendly dog owner extraordinaire by making your own grooming products such as our homemade paw balm, which will reduce packaging waste.

6. Homemade Treats

Make your own dog biscuits and treats for an eco-friendly alternative to store-bought treats. By making your own treats you reduce packaging waste. If you also have an odd carrot lying around the fridge, like we always do, then this dog biscuit or bone broth recipe is a great way to reduce food waste too.

7. Support Sustainable Brands

If you cannot find secondhand options for the equipment or clothes you need, then buying from sustainable brands is a great alternative. Buy dog beds, clothes and equipment made from eco-friendly, natural and durable materials. Buying good quality items that last is better for the environment than buying items that have to be replaced each season. Reducing our waste and consuming less in all facets of life is a great way to help the environment.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan. There are many big and small steps you can take to become a more sustainable dog parent. The most important thing is to do something.