In the U.S. there are 89 million dogs. As a nation, we are the largest pet owning country in the world. This is great for pets looking to be adopted, but how we care for our four legged friends can have a negative impact on the environment. Owning a pet can have some huge costs: food, toys, doggy bags. The plastic used in packaging these products and the resources used to make their food both have harmful effects on the environment. The good news is, owning a zero waste dog doesn’t have to be hard at all! So many resources and products can help you slowly transition into it. We have gathered an easy guide that will help you have an eco-friendly dog and reduce its carbon paw print!

1. Buy Food in Bulk or Package Free Food

Many pet stores offer package-free food that comes in large bins, and all you have to do is bring your own container. If this is not an option, then consider buying the food in bulk, this reduces packaging and also saves you money in the long term.

When it comes to treats, there are many brands out there that offer eco-friendly treats. Like these dry dog food treats made with all-natural ingredients, no preservatives, and recycled packaging. Also, try these Dog Trail Buddy Bites from REI, these beef jerky treats by Pawstruck, or these plastic-free and very cute dessert treats by Chews Happiness.

Alternatively, a cheaper and more eco-friendly option can be making homemade dog treats and freezing them in advance! You don’t have to completely replace all your dog treats, but this can be a fun activity to do with the kids. This way not only are you taking care of the planet, but you will also have a healthier dog and have control over what ingredients they are consuming! Try this easy zero waste dog treat you can make at home.

We would not recommend replacing all dog food with a homemade alternative unless you have done a lot of research beforehand. Many dog food companies already have found the best balance for the nutrients your dog needs. You can however compliment your dry dog food with extra nutrients from these dog treats!

2. Second-Hand Dog Toys

Second-hand dog toys are a cheap, eco-friendly way to give a toy a new home. You can get them from different online resellers like Facebook Marketplace or the thrift store! You can also find kid’s toys at the thrift store and repurpose them for your pup. These options are perfect for your dog to play with so they don’t end up ruining your shoes instead! Remember the 3 Rs for Sustainability: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Avoid buying new products when you can reuse old ones.

If you do choose to buy new products, then the next best thing is eco-friendly dog toys. Here are 6 dog toy companies that make durable and sustainable products for our furry best friends.

3. Compostable Dog Bags

Every year 8 billion dog poo bags are used and disposed of, these are not compostable and release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. A great alternative is 100% biodegradable and compostable dog poo bags. You can buy these plastic-free and compostable bags from BioBag, which are made from plants, vegetable oils, and polymers. 

If you want to save money and be even more sustainable, then you can use a newspaper! If you get annoying newspaper ads in your mailbox then this is a great way to reuse them instead of throwing them out. And if you want to go all out, you can follow this tutorial to make your own newspaper dog poo bags (We promise they are easier to make than they look!). It may seem a little odd, but it gets the job done! It’s easy, free, and less harmful to the environment!

4. Sustainable Washing & Grooming

If you’re already incorporating sustainable habits into your life, then you’re probably already familiar with shampoo bars for people. But what you may not know is that your dog also has the same option. These dog shampoo bars are cruelty-free, vegan, and made from 100% natural ingredients. Just like human shampoo bars, these reduce packaging and are made of recycled cardboard. Etsy has a wide variety of dog shampoo bars, you can find different scents, they use less packaging, and you’d be supporting local small businesses.

If this is not an option, then you can just use liquid soap. There are many great brands out there that you can use for both washing your hands and washing your dog. Unfortunately, a lot of these options usually come in plastic containers, however, if you buy in bulk you’d be saving on packaging. Additionally, when it comes to washing your dog, you don’t always have to use fresh water every time. You can start collecting water from your shower while you wait for it to heat up! This is not only eco-friendly but will save you some money on your water bill!

5. Eco-Friendly Accessories

There are a variety of eco-friendly accessories out there and we will be including a few brands that we believe can help reduce your dog’s carbon Pawprint. If you invest in high-quality and long-lasting products, this will reduce the need to buy them again. 

• Sustainable Dog Collars and Leashes
• Durable drinking bowls with responsibly sourced wood & sustainable beds
• Beauty Products like Toothpaste, Ear Wash, Tear Stain Solution, Flea and Tick Repellent, and more
• Earth Friendly Beds & Apparel made with recycled materials and made to last
• All-natural Whole Food Vitamin Supplements & Remedies

Conclusion

Our dogs are our best friends and part of our families, and because of this, it’s very important to include them in our sustainable lifestyle. Many great companies care about keeping our pets healthy and our environment too. We hope this guide has helped you find more resources, awesome companies to support, and given you a push to consider reducing your dog’s carbon paw print. Celebrate your dog and the planet by taking care of both of them!

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