As a lover of sustainability and animals, I’m always looking for ways to practice living sustainably whilst being a responsible pet owner.
The animal-loving community is all on board with the ‘adopt, don’t shop’ mantra when it comes to bringing a furry friend into our homes, but there are lots of other ways we can give our beloved pets the best life possible whilst still being eco-friendly!
Here are some of my best sustainable pet care tips for dogs (and other animals) to help you become a more sustainable pet owner:
1) Buy Secondhand
One easy way to practice being more eco-friendly with your animals is by looking for second-hand pet toys and accessories on apps like Vinted and Olio. You can also find some cheap pet toys in charity shops like Cats Protection and Dogs Trust.
I’ve found some really cute toys for my labrador, Milo, through shopping second-hand and it feels so good knowing that another pet’s pre-loved toys can live on in a new home (with a new dog who will love them even more!).
2) Repair and Reuse
Sustainability = repairing & re-using, so try to get into the habit of finding ways to get as much longevity out of your pet’s favourite toys.
Are there any items around the house that could be recycled into toys for your pet? As long as the items/materials in question are safe for your pup to play with, you can make your own DIY pet toys to keep them entertained without having to buy a new plastic chew toy.
As much as I love Milo, he also often plays with his toys to the point of destruction. Even the sturdiest, chew-proof/dog-proof toys aren’t safe! But, instead of throwing them away (especially as he loves them!) I try to save them by sewing them up as I did with his ‘poo’ emoji cushion.
I mean...who could stay mad at his sweet face?
3) Use Biodegradable Products
Where possible, try and use biodegradable pet products to help reduce plastic waste as a sustainable pet owner. As you can probably imagine, TONNES of plastic poo bags end up in landfill every year and switching to compostable poo bags is a small swap that can have a big impact.
If biodegradable bags aren’t an option, you can alternatively try to use just one poo bag per walk. If you keep the bag untied until the end of the walk, you can use the same one instead of immediately chucking it in the bin and save yourself from using two or more bags - better for your purse and the planet!
4) Support Local Pet Stores
Supporting your local pet stores (rather than chain businesses like Pets at Home) is another way you can practice being an eco-friendly pet owner, whilst at the same time showing some love and appreciation towards your local community.
Similarly, instead of picking up your coffee from the Costa down the road, you can also shop small by making an effort to visit any dog-friendly cafes in your area. The added bonus? You give your pup (and yourself) the opportunity to make some new friends!
5) Re-use Towels for Cleaning
Re-using old towels/rags around the house for cleaning wet paws is another great eco-tip to care for your pet sustainably. Instead of chucking your towels straight into the washing machine once you’re done with them, leave them by the front door so that they’re within easy reach after you return with your dog after a walk.
Better for the environment whilst keeping your home free from muddy pawprints all over the floor and furniture - now that’s what we call a win-win!
Most of all, remember that you don’t necessarily need to make all of these changes at once to be a more sustainable pet owner. Even making one eco-friendly swap (like switching from plastic poo bags to biodegradable ones) can have a big impact. The planet - and your pet - will thank you!
At All Things Green, we share simple, eco-friendly tips to help you lead an imperfect sustainable lifestyle.
We believe that ‘small steps are still steps’, and that we can all have a positive impact on the planet - no matter how small.
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Thanks for reading and see you soon!
Naomi 💚
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