Want to know how to raise your pup sustainably? Scroll down to find out!
Did you know that a dog produces 770kg of CO2 annually? That's a lot of pollution coming from just one dog! We need to pay more attention to dog waste and sustainability, so that our puppies don't destroy the world!
First, here are the main reasons that cause dog-related pollution:
1. DOG FOOD
According to a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, US pets would rank fifth in global meat consumption, and they are contributing 25-30% of US's meat industry environmental impact.
2. PET WASTE
Pet waste also harms the environment, as it contains viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can contaminate waters, infect other animals, and affect plant growth both in the wild and on farms. This is especially a problem because 40% of dog owners do not clean up after their pet’s waste, and 75% of the dog population are strays, who do not have anybody to clean up after their waste.
3. PLASTIC WASTE
These plastics come from dog poop bags (which you need to clean up pet waste) and dog product packaging, which are all very common. These create 300 million pounds of flexible plastic waste every year, and that isn’t even counting other plastic waste types.
One powerful, devastating fact is that “99% of multi-laminate packaging used for most pet food and treats currently used in North America does not have a sustainable end-of-life solution” (Petsustainability.org)
And just think that 66% of US households use those packagings...
⬇️⬇️ So, here are some tips to reduce the problems above! ⬇️⬇️
- Buy food with certification by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council or the Marine Stewardship Council. (Better environmental sources)
- Insect dog food (my dog uses it!) (Insect-made food uses fewer resources than livestock, such as cows.)
- Do not overfeed your pets, but don’t underfeed them!
- Pick up your dog's poop.
- Buy brands that are part of the Packaging Pledge by the Pet Sustainability Coalition/trustworthy brands
- It is best to buy products with recyclable packaging
- DO NOT overbuy on dog gadgets! Its production can cause more environmental damage than reducing!
If you own a dog, I suggest you go through the list above to see what you can do to increase your pet's sustainability!
Personally, I have bought insect food for my dog, and I've found that my dog's skin and fur have been healthier!
Some eco-friendly brands I have found:
- Jiminy’s (Insect meat dog food, low methane emissions, recyclable packaging, US-based, and certified carbon neutral.)
- Yora (Insect meat dog food, eco-packaging, UK-based, and carbon neutral.)
- Wild Earth (Completely plant and fungi based, minimal water/land footprint, offers dog supplements, and is certified carbon neutral.)
- Canidae Sustain (Regenerative farming, recyclable packaging, and mostly carbon neutral.)
- West Paw (Certified B Corp, has a recyclable toy program, and toys made of plastic found in oceans.
- Cycle Dog (Products like leashes and collars are made from recycled bike tubes and post-consumer plastic and are waterproof.)
- Beco Pets (Certified B Corp, natural rubber and rice husk material, recyclable packaging, wide product range, biodegradable options, and CO2-conscious shipping.)
- P.L.A.Y. (Pet Lifestyle and You) (Toys and beds are made of PlanetFill, a 100% recycled plastic bottle stuffing.)