We as humans have spent the better part of two decades fighting each other on ways to go green and are still the primary drivers of climate change, Fido and Fluffy have a significant impact of their own.
With over one billion dogs and cats in the world-devouring billions of pounds and kilograms of meat and grains a year and producing a billion pounds of waste every day, Fido and Fluffy have a significant effect on the sustainability of our environment.
- The Scoop on Pet Poop – Use biodegradable pet poop bags when cleaning up after your dog. A regular plastic bag can take decades to decompose, whereas a biodegradable bag will begin to break down in just a couple of months. For cats, consider using an environmentally friendly kitty litter such as one
that is plant-based or made from recycled newspaper. - Feeding Pets Close to Nature – Dr. Carol is a major advocate of feeding your pet an organic, home-cooked meal. The environment and your pet’s health will benefit from cutting out kibble altogether. A homemade doggie diet decreases personal cost, wasteful production of packaging materials and harmful chemical processing while increasing your pet’s overall nutritional quality.
- Recycled Pet Toys – Green Alternatives – There are now numerous companies that make pet toys and pet bedding from recycled materials and sustainable fibers. Consider making homemade pet toys from old socks, water bottles, and ropes. You can also make your own pet bedding from old pillows, blankets, and towels.
- Water Conservation – Instead of letting the water run during pet bath-time, consider purchasing a handheld attachment that you can turn off when not in use to conserve water. Using warm water, instead of hot, to save energy. And using phosphate-free as well as chemical-free pet grooming products because they make the dirty water going down the drain more environmentally friendly.
- Pet Spay and Neuter – Pet overpopulation is a major problem for the environment for many reasons. Always consider pet adoption first. Because of pet overpopulation, resources are strained to care for all pets, both inside and out of animal shelters (pet food, veterinary medical care, pet waste management, etc.). To handle the alarming numbers, many pets are sadly euthanized daily.