Are you a pet lover looking to reduce your carbon pawprint? Owning a furry friend can be a rewarding experience, but it also has an environmental impact. From the food they eat to the toys they play with, our beloved pets can contribute to waste and resource consumption. However, with a few simple changes, you can make a big difference in reducing your pet’s ecological footprint. Here are 10 creative and sustainable ways to make owning a pet eco-friendly – this post is more dog-centric, the cat post is coming soon.

1. Adopt, Don’t Shop: Opting to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization reduces the demand for breeding, which can have a significant environmental impact. Adopting also helps find homes for feral cats and dogs that might be wreaking havoc on the local ecosystems.

2. Choose Sustainable Pet Food: Look for pet foods that use sustainable ingredients and packaging. Bonus points for locally sourced or organic options. You can give Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food a try or The Honest Kitchen dog food or Turkey recipe cat food.

3. Reduce Plastic Waste: Use eco-friendly alternatives to plastic pet products, such as biodegradable poop bags, stainless steel food and water bowls, and natural fiber toys like Spunky Pup organic dog toys. We use Pet n Pet compostable poop bags – they’re sturdy and break down in the compost really fast.

4. Make Your Own Pet Treats: Create homemade pet treats using locally sourced, organic ingredients. This reduces packaging waste and ensures your pet is eating healthy, sustainable snacks.

Peanut Butter Banana Treats

Prep time is approx 15 min with cook time being 0 min(yay!) and makes approximately 20 treats

What dog can resist the combination of peanut butter and bananas? Mash up a ripe banana, mix it with a spoonful of peanut butter, then add some oats for texture. Shape the mixture into small balls and bake until golden brown.

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup of natural unsalted peanut butter

1/4 cup of plain yogurt – non fat or low fat is preferable

1 tablespoon of honey

1/2 cup of old fashioned oats

Optional:

1/4 cup of finely chopped carrots, blueberries, or unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Begin by mashing the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until they reach a smooth consistency.
2. Add the peanut butter, Greek yogurt, and honey to the mashed bananas. Mix the ingredients together until you have a uniform mixture.
3. Gently stir in the old-fashioned oats to create a dough-like consistency. If you choose to include carrots and blueberries for added nutrition and flavor, fold them into the mixture at this point.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Using a teaspoon or your hands, form small bite-sized portions of the mixture and place them on the prepared baking sheet. If you’d like to add an extra layer of flavor and texture, roll some of the bites in unsweetened shredded coconut before placing them on the baking sheet.
6. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours or until the bites are firm.
7. Once the bites are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer. These treats are meant to be served cold to provide a refreshing and soothing experience for your dog.

Nutritional Facts (per treat)

Approximately 30 calories/1.5 grams of protein/1.5 grams of fat/3.5 grams of carbs/.5 frams of fiber and 2 grams of sugar.

Please note that these nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and ingredient choices.

Always consult with your veterinarian to ensure the treats are suitable for your dog’s dietary needs and any potential allergies.

5. Use Natural and Non-Toxic Products: Opt for natural and non-toxic grooming and cleaning products for your pet to minimize chemical exposure and environmental impact. Biokleen Bac-Out Pet Stain Remover 

6. Choose Durable and Long-Lasting Products: Invest in high-quality, durable pet products that will last longer and reduce the need for frequent replacements like this Bean Organic Dog bed.

7. Responsible Waste Management: Properly dispose of pet waste by composting or using biodegradable bags. This reduces landfill waste and pollution. We use Pet n Pet compostable poop bags – they’re sturdy and break down in the compost really fast.

8. Consider Eco-Friendly Pet Accessories: Look for pet accessories made from sustainable materials, such as hemp or bamboo collars and leashes. Mix Paws Hemp Dog Collar and Pawsitive Bamboo Dog Collar

9. Spay or Neuter Your Pet: Help reduce pet overpopulation and the environmental impact of excess animals by spaying or neutering your pet.

10. Support Eco-Friendly Pet Brands: Choose pet brands that prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly practices in their products and packaging. Awoo Pets is a sustainable pet brand that also has a recycling program. Bark Potty has remade the pee pad with a more ecofriendly slant, using you guessed it, bark.

in short, more pet brands are moving into sustainable products for our furry friends so it’s not that hard to go ecofriendly in the pet department. Greening up your paw print is really just a shift in your mindset – so what are you waiting for?