Sparky might be your best friend — but he’s not exactly eco-friendly, as noted in this article by Care2.
The truth is, owning a medium-size dog can potentially be just as bad as owning a gas-guzzling car. Things like non-biodegradable poop scoop bags and pet waste, kitty litter, pet food packaging, medications, and more lead to a high carbon pawprint for your furry friend.
Does this mean you can’t be a pet owner and eco-conscious at the same time? Of course not! There are several ways to lower your pet’s environmental impact:
- Green your kitty by using biodegradable litter made from sawmill scrap, waste from wheat or corn, recycled paper, or wood fibers.
- Buy recycled or natural toys, accessories, and pet care products, such as those from Simply Fido or West Paw.
- Better yet, make your own pet accessories. Check out these DIY projects for a raised dog bowl and cat scratch pad for starters.
- Make your own pet food using locally grown ingredients, or buy from an environmentally friendly pet food company, such as Honest Kitchen.
Do you have any other tips for lowering your pet’s carbon pawprint?
Editor’s note: Originally published on January 27, 2014, this article was updated in March 2019.