How to Become a Sustainable Pet Owner
With climate change being a major issue, more and more people are wondering how to be sustainable in their daily lives. This is good – even slight differences every day can help save the green earth that you walk on. They add up over time, after all!
So, you’ve already invested in a reusable water bottle and recycle almost every piece of waste you produce. What next? It’s time to think about your responsibility as a pet owner.
Your cat, dog, hamster or lizard can’t take responsibility for the environment – it has to be up to you! Therefore, being a sustainable pet owner means making decisions related to your pet that impact the earth the least. It means being mindful when buying pet products, taking pets for walks and disposing of pet waste.
Do you want to learn how to reduce your carbon footprint as a pet owner? If so, this article is for you.
Adopt Your Pet
Have you yet to get your pet? If so, you can start being a sustainable and responsible owner early by adopting your pet rather than shopping for one. There are a few reasons why this is a greener method. Firstly, adopting helps reduce the number of strays on the streets, and on top of that, there is usually a reduction in transportation when animals are adopted locally. Another benefit that isn’t directly related to sustainability – but is still very important – is that adopting means that you are not contributing to unethical breeding.
Clean Up Their Mess Properly
Pets poo – it’s a simple part of life, so to make sure you don’t damage the earth, clean up their poo properly. For dogs, there is the option of burying it, but you should never leave it in nature, as it can end up in rivers and streams.
For both dogs and cats, it’s a good idea to use recycled bags and compost the poo, as this will minimize any waste. Some people assume that flushing their cat’s poo is best, but don’t do this! Due to the microbiomes and parasites in a cat’s poo, this won’t be properly treated in the sewage system.
Purchase Eco-friendly Pet Products
As a pet owner, you will buy a lot of pet products throughout the duration of your pet’s life, from poo bags to toys. To stay sustainable, always read the label, and choose the most eco-friendly options wherever you can. For example, when buying cat litter, look out for natural, biodegradable litter.
Check Your Vet’s Green Practices
Having a regular vet for your pet is a must. The question is, how green are their practices? Check out a range of local vets’ green practices to help you choose one that most aligns with your sustainability goals.
The good news is that you can use your pet health insurance for a veterinary practice of your choice. With customizable pet insurance, you can ensure your pet is covered through the tougher times, meaning you won’t end up out of pocket due to a high vet bill!
With the risk of sudden costs such as medications or surgery, by taking out insurance you can rest assured that your pet is taken care of. Plus, when choosing a greener vet practice, you also have peace of mind that you’re being as green as you can while your pet receives the necessary treatment.
Walk to the Park
Many pet owners drive to the park to take their dogs on a walk. If you want to be greener, try changing this up by walking to the park instead. By doing this, you reduce the number of pollutants your car emits into the atmosphere. Plus, you get the benefit of extra fresh air and some extra steps for your pup.
Choose Pet Food Wisely
One of the biggest decisions a pet owner can make is what pet food they will choose. Unfortunately, there is always going to be some pollution associated with pet food production, especially with pets that eat a lot of meat (cats and dogs, for example).
However, you still have the power to choose a pet food company that focuses on sustainable practices. Also, you can make your own pet treats at home! There are many incredible pet treat recipes online for you to follow.
Don’t Buy Too Many Toys
You might want to get your adorable puppy or kitten all the toys in the world – but avoid that. The chances are your pet won’t even enjoy having more toys than they actually need! Plus, buying more than you need contributes to waste and pollution. You could even think about upcycling your old household items into pet toys. For example, you could turn an old sweater into a dog chew toy!
Buy Pet Food in Bulk
When trying to be more sustainable, you can make a real difference by following two simple steps: reducing how much you drive and how much you get delivered. A simple way to do that? By buying pet food in bulk. Doing this means you won’t have to travel to the shops as often – or get the food delivered to your home. Instead, you will only need to do so occasionally. An added benefit to this is that bulk pet food often costs less.
Avoid Pet Food Waste
Overfeeding your pet leads to food and package waste, which is terrible for the environment. So, learn exactly how much your furry friend needs each day and portion accordingly. Not only will this help decrease waste, but it will also mean your pet won’t experience health problems due to obesity!
Don’t Disturb Wildlife
Both cats and dogs can wreak havoc on local wildlife if not monitored properly. If you have a cat, it’s a good idea to keep them as an indoor cat (or at least monitor them when outside) so that they don’t hunt too many birds and mice.
For dogs, try to keep them out of the water as much as possible when taking them on walks, as they could harm aquatic life. By training your dog well, you can ensure they come back quickly when called.
These are just some of the ways to become a more sustainable pet owner. Luckily, they aren’t very hard to do! With just a few small changes, you can reduce the environmental impact that your dog or cat has on the world.
