Our furry friends are the cutest beings on the planet, but unfortunately they leave a significant carbon footprint. From the food we give them (hello beef and lamb, strong climate aggressors) to how we dispose of their waste, everything adds up and causes a negative impact on our Mother Earth. As we want to take care of both, here are some tips for sustainable pet care:

Adopt, don’t shop!
Whenever possible, adopt a pet from shelters or local rescue centers instead of buying from breeders. You are giving a living being a second chance at life and reducing the demand for for animals bred in captivity, often mass-produced in poor conditions for commercial purposes.

Spay or neuter your pet
To help prevent unplanned litters, control the stray animal population, and avoid shelter overcrowding. Spayed and neutered live longer and healthier lives with a lower risk of cancer and obesity.

Sustainable feeding
Choose sustainably produced pet food with natural ingredients that are responsibly sourced. Avoid brands that use animal by-products, artificial dyes and excessive packaging.

Recycling Packaging
If you use canned or packaged products for your pet's food, make sure to recycle the packaging correctly. Whenever possible, opt for bulk purchases in recyclable containers to reduce waste.

Eco-friendly hygiene products
Take care of your pet's hygiene regularly: the more you take care for it, the less need to use chemical products for fleas or ticks. Use natural/ chemical-free grooming products such as shampoo and soap: this will prevent to the pet's skin irritation and harmful chemicals from seeping into water sources.

Get Creative with Toys and Accessories
Repurpose old clothes to make tug toys, old tennis balls or plushies to entertain your dog. Cats enjoy simple things like feather wands or ribbons. When purchasing toys, choose those made from recycled or biodegradable materials; opt for durable toys to avoid frequent replacements and reduce waste.

Shop at Local Pet Stores
Ordering online is convenient and affordable, but many pet products you buy travel long distances by plane, ship or car before reaching your home. Shop at the nearest pet store: not only will you reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, but you will also support local community businesses.

Collect and get rid of pet waste properly
If you use disposable products for your pet, such as poop bags, make sure they are biodegradable and seek options made from recycled materials. Consider composting your pet’s organic waste when appropriate.
Pet waste can transmit diseases, pollute waterways, and coastal areas through runoff. When walking a dog in public areas, it involves picking up its waste. Regarding cat waste, clay-based cat litter is not as sustainable as it sounds because it does not decompose in landfills. Additionally, clay is extracted through open-pit mining, which involves removing vegetation, trees, rocks, and topsoil, causing irreversible damage and environmental disturbances like erosion. Cat owners can opt for litters containing compostable materials like corn, dried wood, grass seeds, and wheat. Used cat litter should be placed in biodegradable bags and should not be flushed down the toilet: besides the risk of clogging pipes, it can also contaminate streams, lakes, and water sources.
Make sure, therefore, to properly dispose of your furry friend's waste. Instead of conventional plastic bags, prefer biodegradable and compostable ones. Both will go to landfills; the difference is that conventional bags' biodegradation can take up to 100 years, while compostable ones take about 6 months.

Regular Veterinary Check-ups
Keep regular visits to the veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy and prevent health problems that may require more intensive treatments in the future.

Incorporating sustainability into the world of pets can be a challenge. But it's all about habits and small changes that will make a difference in the well-being of the pet and the planet.
This difference starts with each one of us. Just take the first step!