While pets can impact the natural world, there are actions you can take to reduce their carbon footprint when it comes to food, waste and products. Sustainable pet care is better for pets, wildlife and the planet.
According to the American Pet Products Association, an estimated 71 percent of U.S. households, or approximately 94 million families, own a pet. Their collective environmental impact is substantial, ranging from the resources required to produce pet food to the plastic waste generated by toys and accessories. Many pet owners are unaware that simple changes to their daily routines can significantly reduce their furry companions’ ecological pawprint.
Discover 12 practical strategies spanning food choices, waste management, product selection, and everyday habits that will help you care for your pet while protecting the planet they—and we—call home.
Feed Right
Choose Sustainable Pet Food
Your pet’s health starts with their diet. Sustainable pet food is also crucial to the planet’s well-being, encompassing green production, biodegradable packaging, and balanced nutrition.
A 2022 study found that the carbon footprint of dry pet food could account for 2.9% of annual U.S. carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and uses 1.2% of agricultural land.
Pet owners can feed their animals premium, organic options that are grown and raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For example, The Honest Kitchen requires suppliers to provide proof of origin for all ingredients, as well as non-GMO status and clean food handling practices. Vendors must also submit a Certificate of Analysis to demonstrate the absence of pathogens, while The Honest Kitchen conducts third-party testing for heavy metals, melamine, and ethoxyquin.
Avoiding GMOs is crucial to protecting biodiversity, preventing the development of herbicide-resistant weeds, averting the spread of GMO genes to wild flora, and safeguarding beneficial insects that improve soil health.
Sustainable products comply with organic certification standards and aim to provide optimal, natural nutrition while supporting sustainable and ethical farming. Quality labels include Certified Regenerative by A Greener World, Land to Market, Regenerative Organic Certified, and Certified B Corporation.
Some sustainable pet food brands include Open Farm, Wild Earth, The Farmer’s Dog, and Stella & Chewy’s, all of which ethically source and humanely raise their proteins.
Reduce Food Waste
Feed your pet proper portion sizes and invest in storage solutions to save space, maintain freshness, and avoid spoilage. Composting your pet’s food scraps can create healthy soil for your garden and divert leftovers from landfills.
You can also make proper food storage and composting a habit to reduce your environmental impact. If composting at home isn’t feasible, your town may have a community-wide composting program you can participate in.
Managing Pet Waste Responsibly
There is no way around pet waste, so you should manage its disposal responsibly. Whether you’re a cat or dog person, here’s how to handle the less glamorous part of animal ownership.
Dispose of Pet Waste
Use biodegradable and compostable poop bags to maintain pristine surroundings and avoid contamination of nearby bodies of water with bacterial runoff. Throw the poop in the garbage — pet waste is not compostable in your backyard compost system. You can check whether your community has a pet poop compost or a municipal program for handling domestic animal waste.
Use Alternative Cat Litter
If you have a picky cat, gradually introduce biodegradable litter by mixing it with the old brand and adding a bit more of the new one each day so they get used to the new scent and texture. You can identify biodegradable litter by checking the packaging and looking for materials made from paper, cardboard, plant-based products, and other natural fibers.
Also, opt for biodegradable bags when disposing of them. For example, beyondGREEN litter waste bags meet international standards for composting. Likewise, Metro Paws Cat Litter Bags leave no trace of microplastics when they break down.
Sustainable Pet Products
Sustainability should be at the top of your list when shopping for pet products. There could be some trade-offs, though. While many items have a reduced environmental impact, they may come in non-recyclable packaging. Do your best to consider the entire product life cycle, including the use of sustainable packaging. Look for certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council or Global Organic Textile Standard, and prioritize goods with minimal or recyclable packaging. Here are a few key points to consider.
Clean With Sustainable Grooming and Care Products
Shampoos and similar products wash down the drain and may enter aquatic ecosystems. When grooming your pets, use safe, sustainable treatments and recycle plastic bottles whenever possible.
Don’t think only in terms of your dog’s health — consider their impact on your home as well. Regular grooming and nail trimming also protect your home’s longevity, which means fewer resources to replace damaged items like carpets, furniture, and other materials that clutter landfills when discarded. For example, hardwood floors require refinishing every three to five years to protect against dog nails and may cost $4,500 to install. Pet owners can consider carpet runners or alternative, sustainable materials like cork flooring, getting their doggy-approved shoes for the home, and other preventive measures. This means less carbon footprint and fewer resources used.
Choose Sustainable Bedding
Choose bedding made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and other natural fillers. You can even make a comfy bed for your dog by upcycling old clothes or towels as stuffing. Studies show that organic cotton is less water- and energy-intensive than conventional cotton.
Be mindful of your pet’s needs. Investing in a plush orthopedic bed is ideal for alleviating joint pain in larger or older dogs. You can use coconut fiber, hemp, or shredded newspaper for burrowing rodents and reptiles.
Buy Sustainable Toys
Pet toys made from sustainable materials, such as rubber, hemp, organic cotton, and recycled plastics, are a beneficial upgrade for your pet’s health and the environment. Many of these toys are durable and last longer than others, which is practical for heavy chewers and prevents frequent replacement.
However, the recycling of plastics also increases the risk that Fido will be exposed to microplastics, which negatively impact both wildlife and humans. Animal studies have shown that microplastics can spread to the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, lungs, brain, and reproductive organs. The microscopic fragments can alter critical biological processes.
Sustainable toys are often but not always free from harmful toxins, allowing you to prioritize your pet’s well-being. Try to choose products that balance long-lasting toughness and safety while minimizing environmental impact, recognizing some decisions might involve concessions in one area to benefit the other.
Thoughtful Pet Acquisition and Care
Responsible pet acquisition and regular veterinary care can significantly benefit the natural environment and reduce the carbon footprint of dogs and cats.
Adopt, Don’t Shop
While your sights might be set on a purebred or specialty breed, adopting from a shelter can lower the environmental impact of pets. You reduce the demand for breeding new animals, lowering resource consumption and emissions, and you eliminate support for cruel breeding practices and facilities, which in turn decreases the homeless pet population.
Spay and Neuter
Domestic cats are among the world’s 100 worst invasive species, responsible for 14% of global bird, mammal, and reptile extinctions. Spaying and neutering your pet is crucial for controlling the population. This results in fewer strays, less overcrowding in animal shelters, reduced predation, and less spread of disease.
Stay Ahead of Veterinary Care
Take your dog to the vet for routine check-ups or when they are sick, and ensure they receive complete vaccinations and up-to-date parasite prevention. Over 80% of domestic animal-borne pathogens, including canine rabies viruses, can spread to wildlife.
Several online resources — such as Climate Pets and Vet Sustain — offer information about sustainable pet healthcare. Likewise, the veterinarian-hosted Our Pet’s Health podcast is an excellent resource for healthier pet parenting.
“Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Pet Care” by Carol Frischmann helps you make sustainable decisions for your pet, from buying food and toys to proper waste disposal.
Daily Habits for Eco-Conscious Pet Owners
Your daily water consumption and heating and cooling habits might change when you have a pet. Here is how you can adapt as a responsible and eco-conscious pet owner.
Reduce Energy Use
The American Kennel Club states that a dog’s body temperature averages 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they may be slightly lower in smaller dogs. Because they tend to run warm, dogs are highly susceptible to overheating. Your pet might not be able to tolerate a big change, but you could reset your thermostat by 10 degrees, along with making some other minor changes to reduce your energy use.
Consider lowering the thermostat more significantly when you and your pet are away from home. You could also switch to cold water for washing pet bedding, as heating water requires high amounts of energy, and cold water cleans just as efficiently. If you have a reptile or another pet that requires energy-intensive equipment, such as a heat lamp, try unplugging your other electronics when not in use to reduce your household’s overall energy consumption.
Conserve Water
Conserving water while grooming can lower your pet’s carbon footprint. Install a pet shower sprayer with a shut off nozzle in a large sink or bathtub to control water flow when lathering your pet. You can also bathe pets in an area of your lawn that needs watering or use a large bucket or basin. Many pet stores carry animal-safe dry shampoos that let you reduce the pollution created by your pets’ cleaning needs between grooming appointments.
Love Your Pet in a Sustainable Way
Responsible pet owners can care for their beloved animals and the environment simultaneously. By making minor changes to your routine and habits, you can reduce the environmental impact of your dog, cat, even your iguana.
About the Author
Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated Magazine. She has over six years of experience writing about sustainability, circular economy, and better building. When not contributing to various reputable publications and advocating for environmental awareness, Rose loves being outdoors and spending time with her pets.
