Owning a pet is a pleasure and a privilege that makes our lives better, but have you ever wondered how you can integrate sustainability into the mix? Being sustainable means looking after our planet, to ensure the future is clean, green and enjoyable for generations to come—including for our furry friends.
You can make a big difference just by making a few small easy changes to your daily routine and in the kind of products you choose—yes, even when it comes to your pets! From longer lasting pet products, to composting waste for the garden, here are a few easy ways to make pet ownership a little more sustainable.
Eco-friendly pet products
When shopping for your pet needs, look for planet-conscious pet products – things that are reusable, and made from sustainable materials that have a lower impact on the environment. For example, a good-quality stainless steel pet bowl not only looks beautiful, but is durable and will last for years, saving you money in the long run and creating less waste, too.
Choose pet toys that can stand up to the rough and tumble of play, and are made from recycled products – that way once your furry friend has “loved” them beyond their best, they can be recycled again. Opting for biodegradable or compostable pet poo bags will also help minimise your environmental pawprint!
Reduce waste by making your own pet food
Making your own pet food at home can be fun and ensures it is nutritious and free of unnecessary additives. You can use your own leftovers, thereby reducing food waste, it’s win-win! When choosing what ingredients to include in your pet food, it is important to make sure you include a mix of macro-nutrients such as protein for muscle building (meat, seafood, dairy, eggs), carbohydrate for energy (vegetables) and fat for brain health (from meat, egg yolk, or oil). They will also need some calcium (dairy or eggshells) for strong bones.
Raw chicken necks and pig trotters are great as an occasional treat and part of a balanced diet – dogs love them! Remember if you’re ever unsure, a quick call with the vet will help you decide.
Sustainable pet waste management
When it comes to pet poo, it pays to be mindful of where this may end up – will it wash into waterways, or end up in landfill? There are many eco-friendly ways to dispose of pet waste – biodegradable poo bags, burying waste, or even special pet-waste composting systems. These systems can use fermentation to break down the harmful bacteria in pet poo, turning it into safe garden fertiliser. So not only will you have less waste in the backyard, you’ll have a beautiful thriving garden!
Reduce your carbon footprint by walking or cycling with your pet
Just like us, our pets are healthier and happier when they get enough exercise. Getting out in nature, even just for a short stroll has amazing benefits for your mental and physical health, such as lowering blood pressure, increasing cardiovascular fitness, and building stronger muscles (not to mention boosting your mood). This goes for your pets too! Choosing to forego the car to the shops, and instead go walking or biking with your furry companion, also reduces your carbon footprint.
Adopting a pet
Finding your fur-ever friend is an exciting and wonderful time. There are a lot of options of where to find your new furry companion, and one of the most meaningful ways is to adopt! There are so many gorgeous, friendly, and just-right-for-you pets out there looking for homes. Bringing one into your family will give you that warm fuzzy feeling, at the same time reducing the demand for breeding.
You can also head home hassle-free knowing that all adopted pets come already microchipped, vaccinated, and desexed, so there are no hidden costs. But the best benefit of adopting is that you know what you’re getting – each adoptee has a profile that describes their personality, likes and dislikes, and what kind of family they would be suited to – so you can be sure of the purr-fect match!
So, whatever kind of pet you decide to welcome into your home and life, you can rest easy knowing that you can make a big impact on sustainability, just by focusing on some of these small changes. You and your pet can help the world be a greener, cleaner, healthier place to live!
