6 Eco-Friendly Pet Tips

Keep Your Pet at a Healthy Weight. Most domestic animals are overfed by 20 per cent. This causes them to produce more waste (they poop more), and more resources are used to create and transport food that they don’t need.

Eco Poop Scooping. Pet poop left outside can wash into storm sewers and end up in local water channels, making them unsafe for drinking or swimming. Also, use biodegradable bags to hold your pet’s waste.

Control The Pet Population. More pets, and more feral populations of domestic animals, means more resources used. Adopt: there are at least a half-million cats and dogs in Canadian shelters right now who need a home, so look to adopt a pet before you buy. Spay and neuter: it is the most humane way for us to reduce the pet population.

Keep Your Cat Indoors and Your Dog On a Leash. It is estimated that in the United States that cats kill between 1.3 and 4 billion birds and small mammals every year. That can be a huge problem for endangered species. Dogs have also been linked to a decrease in species, so keep your dog leashed except for designated dog parks.

Shop Smart. We love to show our pets that we care by buying them toys, but does your dog or cat really need the 20+ toys currently scattered around your home? Reduce the number of toys that you buy, and when you buy avoid plastic and synthetic products opting for toys made from natural fibers like organic cotton or hemp as well as those made from recycled goods. Choose dog shampoos and pet-care products that are free of sodium lauryl sulfate.

Clean green. Great advice for all areas of the home! A bit of baking soda, vinegar and elbow grease goes a long way. For pet ‘accidents’ stronger cleaners should be used for health reasons, but use them sparingly.

Sources:
“Reduce your paw print: Your family can raise a pet and help the planet, too.” Canada.com
“Reduce Your Dogs Carbon Pawprint.” CNN.com
“What Are the Most Ecofriendly Cat Litter Products on the Market?” Scientific American. Illustration: Slate.com