Itās no secret that we Americans love our dogs. Itās estimated that between 37-47% of all families across the nation own a dog ā thatās between 70-80million canine companions!
Owning a dog involves purchasing lots of different products. Dog food, beds, toys, and grooming items will become an everyday part of your life. Choosing what options to buy can be a daunting process; there are thousands of different products to choose from out there. Here are our tips for selecting the perfect eco-friendly products that both you and (more importantly!) your dog will love:
Dog food & treats
Dog food seems to be one area of the product world that doesnāt seem to have really caught on to the eco-friendly movement. However, there are still some eco-conscious dog food companies out there, such as Evangerās Organics that use natural, locally sourced ingredients to reduce the carbon footprint of their manufacturing process. Similarly, the Eco Dog Company only sells quality natural treats.
Thereās also the option to make your own dog treats. We love this video by Rosanna Pansino as she clearly dotes on her dog and makes him a selection of birthday treats using organic meat and wholesome, nutritious ingredients. Doesnāt everyone deserve a cake on their birthday?
Dog toys
Choosing safe dog toys can be a worry, especially for new dog owners. If you purchase rubber or plastic toy dogs, look for those that are marked as āBPA freeā. BPA is a chemical that is often used in dog toys. Itās recently been banned from use in baby bottles due to research that showed it can have lasting health impacts. If itās banned for children, you probably shouldnāt give it to your beloved dog either.
If choosing brightly colored dyed toys (e.g. rope-based toys), try to find out what dyes have been used before you purchase them. Some dog toys use harsh chemicals to dye the materials. Not only are these potentially damaging to the planet, but they can be harmful to your dogās health if they chew on them for prolonged periods of time, particularly if they ingest any of the fibers. Try to find dog toys that have been made using natural dyes. Remember that the color of the toy is mainly done to attract people into purchasing it ā your dog wonāt really care what color it is as long as itās fun to play with!
For even greater peace of mind about the contents of your dogās toy, why not try making your own?
Keeping a dogās mind active is important for their development and happiness. There are many ābrain teaserā style dog toys available commercially, however, they tend to be made of plastic and other harsh materials that arenāt ideal for our planet.
If youāre handy with a hammer, you can create your own version with some plywood and other DIY materials youāve probably already got in your garage. Remember that your dog should always be supervised when playing with toys such as this.
Dog beds
Every dog needs a comfortable bed to call his own. As dog owners, we want to purchase something easy to clean, affordable, appropriately sized, and free of dangerous chemicals or materials that might be harmful to our canine companion.
For a truly green dog bed option, consider beds that have been made with recycled materials. For example, P.L.A.Y uses recycled placed bottles to create their beds. Their manufacturing process turns plastic bottles into PlanetFill poly fiber. There are a whopping 108 recycled plastic bottles in every extra-large sized dog bed.
Creating dog beds from plastic bottles is a common theme for environmentally friendly dog bed companies. Greener Pup also does this and, whatās more, 100% of the profits from the sale of their products go to a dog rescue charity.
If recycling is something you are interested in, you could go one step further and craft a handmade dog bed. Hereās an example of how you can turn an old sweater and a couple of pillows into a bed fit for your pampered pooch:
Shampoo and bathing
At some point or another, your dog is going to need a bath! Whilst taking your dog to a local groomer for a pamper session is certainly an option, that can be expensive and time-consuming. Not to mention the carbon footprint of driving your dog to and from the location.
Bathing your dog at home can be an eco-friendlier option. But, what shampoo products should you use? Many dog shampoos are full of artificially produced chemicals that not only leave their mark on our planet during their manufacturing process but can also act as a carcinogen for both pets and owners.
For a safe dog shampoo, use one with natural ingredients, avoid artificially colored products, and definitely stay away from anything that contains lead or coal tar.
Orā¦ make your own for a truly natural scrub!
Cleaning up pet poop
Letās face it, cleaning up after your dog is not one of the better parts of being a pet owner. Itās easy to gloss over the poop clearing process and not really think about the environmental impacts. Nevertheless, there are some really simple changes you can make to help out Planet Earth.
Biodegradable poop bags are readily available in pet stores and they are kinder to the planet than the plastic variety. They generally break down in less than a year, whereas it takes plastic bags a whopping 1,500 years!
If you have a compost heap, when you clear up your garden, add the poop to your compost. It might not be very pleasing to the eye (or nose!) but adding manure can supercharge your compost and help to fertilize it.
So, there you have it ā our top tips for an eco-friendly existence for your dog! Do you have any green tips for living with a canine companion? If so, let us know in the comments below.
About the Author
James is your friendly neighborhood content writer here at the Green Living Blog. With a passion for all things sustainable, he’s your go-to guru for everything eco-friendly. Armed with a treasure trove of wisdom about sustainable living, recycling, and environmentally conscious practices, James is on a mission. He’s here to make sure you not only protect your family but also keep Mother Earth smiling. šš When he’s not busy sharing eco-friendly insights, James can often be found teaching his cat that compost bins make the purr-fect hideaway. š±ā»ļø Join James on his quest to uncover the secrets of defeating wasteful habits while leaving the lightest footprint on our precious planet’s ecosystem.