Earth Day is April 22 and there are several small things you can do when it comes to pet care to reduce your dog's carbon "paw" print and show the planet some love.
- Choose sustainable or reusable products whenever possible. Poop bags aren’t exactly something pet parents want to think about, but, unfortunately, they’re a major source of waste. And while you may not be able to avoid using them altogether, you can choose biodegradable bags that are meant for composting.
- Limit the number of plastic toys you buy or choose toys made from recyclable materials. When it comes time to reward your furry friend with a new toy, avoid ones that are made with a lot of plastic. Especially if your pup is rambunctious, there’s a good chance plastic toys will quickly end up in a landfill.
- Donate gently-used toys and blankets. All too often, perfectly good toys and blankets end up in the garbage because a pet doesn’t use them anymore. But when you donate your goods, you put a smile on a dog’s face and cut down on unnecessary waste.
- Avoid overfeeding your dog. First and foremost, overfeeding your dog can lead to a number of obesity-related health issues, so it should always be avoided. But there’s another issue that comes up when you feed your pup too often or give too many treats — it negatively impacts the environment. The water, land, and food needed to produce animal-based dog foods quickly adds up if you’re feeding your pup several times a day.
- Look for natural grooming products. Check the labels next time you need to buy dog shampoo or other grooming products and choose a product that is made without chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
- Reduce pet overpopulation. There are millions of homeless dogs in the United States which put a strain on the environment and resources. Spay or neuter your pup and consider adopting your next furry family member to avoid contributing to pet overpopulation.