Believe it or not, your dog has more of an environmental footprint pawprint than you’re probably aware of.
Did you know that domesticated dogs defecate 10 million pounds of poop every year in the United States alone? That’s a lot of poop.
Because of the bacteria inside dog poo, not cleaning up after your pet is a very bad idea.
Unfortunately, the eco-pawprint doesn’t stop at poo.
Think of all the plastic squeaky toys you’ve bought for your dog over the years. What happens to those when your dog isn’t interested in them anymore?
The good news is there are plenty of easy ways to green your dog — without paint.
So what can you as a responsible eco-friendly pet owner do to help your dog live green?
Here are 6 fun ideas…
#1 – Try some inexpensive dog aromatherapy.
It’s no secret that aromatherapy candles made especially for pets tend to be quite pricey.
Keep in mind that the same essential oil scents that calm you and make you feel better will work just as well for your dog — whether that be via aromatherapy candles or diffused essential oils.
So light your lavender candle and you and your dog can reap the benefits without having to purchase an expensive candle just for your dog.
#2 – Flush your dog’s poop.
Many people simply throw dog poop away in plastic bags.
However, as mentioned above, dog poop has a lot of bacteria in it — so this could create multiple problems if your dog’s poop were to seep into a water supply.
If the thought of emptying the plastic bag into your toilet and flushing bothers you, then try some biodegradable flushable dog poop bags. You simply flush the whole thing — bag and all!
Even better… Did you know that you can buy a septic tank for dogs? It turns your dog’s poop into compost — which is then distributed back into the soil!
#3 – Make a DIY dog bed.
Rather than buying an expensive bed for your dog, take old blankets, sheets, and towels and make a dog bed yourself.
This is a great way to reuse old materials and save money!
Your dog doesn’t care if something costs $50 or if it’s free. So why not go free whenever you can?!
#4 – Have your dog spayed or neutered.
You heard Bob Parker say it for years and years on The Price is Right.
Pet overpopulation in the United States is a real problem and can contribute to problems for the environment. Just one female dog and her puppies — if left intact — can produce 67,000 new dogs in one year.
Imagine the impact on our already overtaxed environment! That’s why they say that neutering or spaying your dog is one of the best ways you can go green with your dog.
By having your dog spayed or neutered, you’ll be sparing innocent & unwanted dogs from a tough life, reducing CO2 emissions, and improving the health and lifespan of your dog — all at the same time!
#5 – Make your own fun dog toys.
You probably already have all the things you need to make really cool dog toys: old socks, tennis balls, rope, you get the idea.
The problem with many commercially made dog toys is that they are plastic and/or contain chemicals that are harmful for your dog… and you too.
By making your own toys, you guarantee that you will not be adding more plastics to landfills once your dog is no longer interested in a particular toy. And you won’t have to worry about toys — such as those twisty bones which are coated with chemicals — making your dog sick.
Here are 3 great guides for making your own dog toys:
#6 – Rescue or adopt instead of buying new.
We’ve said it before, there are so many unwanted dogs that need our love and need new homes, that it really is best to adopt a dog, rather than buy a dog.
Not only that, but when you buy puppies from pet stores, you may be unknowingly supporting puppy mills whose sole job is simply to churn out dogs for pet stores, without care for the health of their female dogs in most cases.
By adopting, you’re saying no to this horrible practice. And while it won’t put the puppy mills out of business right away, if enough of us adopt this practice it will help to reduce the number of dogs being born into this mess — which puts a stress on the environment, because so many pets end up unwanted.
So next time you’re thinking of bringing a puppy home, don’t shop, adopt!
More Ways To Reduce Your Dog’s Carbon Footprint
- How To Reduce Your Carbon Pawprint
- 7 Ways To Green Your Dog
- Spoil Your Dog With Homemade Frozen Organic Dog Treats
- 5 Ways To Be A Green Pet Owner
- All The Best Homemade Dot Treat Recipes
For even more great ways to lighten your dog’s eco-pawprint, check out this video:
My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with weather, pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and my life with dogs. When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.
