The Secrets to Green and EcoFriendly Pet Care

Love and Protect Your Furry Friends With These Expert Pet Care Tips!

 

ecofriendly pet care - adopt pets

We’re a world of animal lovers:- a study by GFK found that of 27,000 people surveyed across 22 countries, 56% of them lived with at least one pet!  It’s pretty clear that we can’t get enough of our furry friends – and of course you’ll know just how important good pet care is.

But did you also know that all these pets could be having a drastic impact on our environment?

Recent research revealed that meat-eating by cats and dogs creates the equivalent of 64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year, which is about the same as a year’s worth of driving from 13.6 million cars.

Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce the carbon pawprint of your beloved companions. And don’t worry, because none of them involve getting rid of your pets;- after all, the last thing we need is more animals stuck in shelters!

This article by Animal Health will guide you through some smart pet care options that will make keeping different types of pets much more green and eco-friendly.

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EcoFriendly Pet Care – Dogs

ecofriendly pet care - does size matter?As already mentioned, carnivorous pets like dogs can have a more pronounced impact on the environment than herbivorous animals such as rabbits and other small mammals.  However, there are ways that you as a dog-owner can do to limit their effect on the environment. Here are some of our top tips for eco-friendly pet care for dogs:

Cats and dogs eating meat and meat-based pet food creates the equivalent of 64 million tonnes of CO2 each year!
  • ecofriendly pet care - for dogsBuy biodegradable dog poop bags: Plastic bags take over a thousand years to break down in a landfill site, whilst biodegradable alternatives will be safely gone in a month. If possible, a pooper scooper is even better as it eliminates the need for bags altogether – just make sure there’s a bin nearby!
  • Avoid the temptation to buy wasteful pet products: This includes costumes for your dog. They might look adorable for Instagram, but they just make dogs uncomfortable and on top of that they’re a waste of precious resources.  Just think about all the natural resources used to manufacture, package and transport these outfits before you put your Poodle in a tux.
  • Don’t buy premium “human-grade” dog food: Regular dog food is generally more ecofriendly, as it’s made using meat byproducts that aren’t considered suitable for humans. Waste is somewhat reduced as these parts might otherwise be discarded.
  • Feed dogs less beef and lamb: These meats are far more carbon-intensive and inefficient to produce. Poultry and pork are better – and vegetables are better still!
  • Adopt, don’t shop: Too many pets need homes already, with a staggering 9 million dogs entering shelters in the US every year.
  • Have your dog neutered: currently, only 1 out of every 10 dogs born finds a permanent home! We don’t need more puppies.

EcoFriendly Pet Care – Cats

ecofriendly pet care - keep cats indoorsThe effect of cats on the environment isn’t purrfect. Here are some pet care tips you can use to make sure your felines aren’t costing the planet:

  • Try and keep your cat indoors: Cats are an invasive species, as you’ll probably know if yours has ever been kind enough to bring you its “prey” as a present. They can decimate bird and rodent populations, with domestic cats killing at least a hundred million birds in the US every year. Keeping cats indoors is better for native wildlife population, and it’s also better for your cats; indoor cats live far longer lives.
  • Neuter your cat: Neutering your cat is absolutely essential. Female cats are able to produce three litters of kittens a year, so it’s easy to see how feral cat populations have got so huge. Don’t have your cat contribute to this problem. It’s also safer for your cats, as it makes them less inclined to roam and fight. It also protects them from certain diseases, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
  • ecofriendly pet care - for catsBuy ecofriendly cat litter: Did you know that every year, 2 million tonnes of clay are strip mined in the US just to be turned into cat litter? Not only is this an incredibly wasteful use of natural resources, but it all ultimately ends up in landfill and adds to our waste problems. Choose a biodegradable alternative, such as litters made from recycled paper, wood shavings and sawdust.
  • Buy secondhand cat toys or even create your own: Plastic pet toys are often poorly made, don’t last long and just end up being a waste of resources. Your local pet store will tell you otherwise, but cats are just as happy with makeshift toys – even a toilet paper roll will keep them entertained for hours! Alternatively, buy secondhand toys rather than brand new ones.

EcoFriendly Pet Care – Fish

ecofriendly pet care - for fishFish are a more popular choice of pet than any other, with 142 million freshwater fish and 9.6 million saltwater fish are kept. just in the US!

Despite their small size, they can have a surprisingly large carbon footprint and the wrong choice of fish can mean that you’re threatening endangered species and precious coral reefs. Use these ecofriendly pet care tips for fish:

  • Choose a smaller, energy-efficient aquarium: Between pumps, heaters and lightings, aquariums can really burn through energy. This is particularly the case for saltwater aquariums, as they require specific environmental conditions to keep the fish healthy. A smaller tank will reduce energy consumption, as will choosing and maintaining more energy-efficient equipment (LED lights, for instance). However, this doesn’t mean you should overstock a small tank with an excessive number of fish.
  • ecofriendly pet care - clownfishTake care when buying fish: Although many freshwater fish can be bred in captivity, this isn’t always the case with saltwater fish. Many fish are captured in the wild, often by illegally spraying cyanide on to the reefs they live in. This can devastate delicate coral ecosystems and has led to many fish becoming endangered. For example, remember Finding Nemo? After the film was released, demand for clownfish soared, meaning that 1 million are now “harvested” from their environments every single year (even though they can be bred in captivity). This had led to population declines and localised extinctions. Buy captive-bred fish wherever possible and avoid purchasing endangered varieties.
  • Never buy wild coral: Coral is an increasingly popular choice for tropical fish hobbyists, but the harvesting of wild coral is contributing to the decline of coral reefs and collapse of vital ecosystems. Buying captive-bred coral is a far more sustainable alternative that won’t destroy the planet.

Rabbits, hamsters & other small mammals

ecofriendly pet care - for rabbitsSmall mammals are actually some of the greenest pets that you can buy. They’re vegetarian, so you don’t have to worry about the impact of their meat consumption. Plus, they’re not endangered so keeping them as pets isn’t devastating ecosystems. Even so, there are a few ways you can make them even more eco-friendly!

  • Buy recycled, biodegradable bedding and litter: Recycled paper bedding and litter is perfect for many small animals and can be composted after use.
  • Grow your own food: If you’ve got a bit of a green thumb, you can eliminate the carbon footprint of your pets’ food by growing vegetables and plants in your own garden.
  • Use a recycled cage or hutch: Rabbits and rodents aren’t fussy and will be content with a second-hand home, which means fewer perfectly good cages and hutches ending up in landfill.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for more ecofriendly pet care. If you’ve got any other suggestions for greener pets, make sure you leave them in the Comments below!

Guest Author Bio: Sasha Quinn is a content writer for the Animal Health Company, who supply natural products for pets.

 

Did you know that people who live green are happier? They also have a more non-toxic life, and more time to spend on the important things in life. Find out how to live a simpler, greener life with this FREE ebook now! (Click the picture, or click here).

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