Jessica
- updated: 22/02/2017 Sustainability is an important factor in our daily lives, impacting decisions such as what we eat, what we buy and how we get around. Cats and dogs have a high carbon pawprint because of the consumption of meat in their diet, so following a few simple tips will help to minimise your pets' impact on the planet!
Starting Off On The Right Paw
Being an environmentally responsible pet owner in Canada begins on day one! Always consider adopting from a good rescue shelter, as there are literally thousands of furry friends who need a home and would be thrilled to be a part of yours.
But remember - forever means forever! Buying a pet is a long-term decision that must take the cost of ownership (including food, vet bills, time spent playing and nurturing your pet), your lifestyle and your home life into consideration. A cute little puppy might seem a good idea at the time, but it’s not so fun if your puppy grows into a Great Dane in your small one-bedroom apartment!
Be Responsible
First and foremost, you always should have your pet desexed. Thousands of cats and dogs are abandoned or euthanised each year and desexing will prevent the headache and heartache of rehoming an unexpected litter of puppies and kittens!
It is recommended by the CFHS for pets to be microchipped (a process where a tiny device is inserted into the scruff of your pet's neck for ease of identification) as this reduces the number of lost dogs and cats in our neighbourhoods and will give you peace of mind should your pet go missing. Fitting your pet with a collar and identification tag is also a good idea, and including a bell on your cat's collar will help protect our wildlife from being hunted.
We also really recommend trying to keep your cat contained in your property if possible, and always bringing them in overnight to prevent fights with other cats, hunting or getting injured in traffic. And lastly, keep your dog secured and leashed when walking unless in a dog-park (and don't forget the doggy-doo bags, as dog waste actually has a large impact on our waterways!).
Recycled Treats
It can be tempting to buy the latest, cutest pet accessories, but it might be worth checking what you already have around the home! Use pre-loved blankets with natural, breathable fibres for great and easily washable bedding. Home-made toys such as boxes and natural twine with a few knots for cats, or pre-loved balls and plush toys for dogs can be as fun as store-bought, though make sure there are no sharp pointy edges or easily removable parts first!
Second-hand shops and markets are also treasure troves for pet accessories such as comfy blankets and feeding bowls - but be careful buying second-hand carriers or toys as the scent of the previous owner can be stressful and a little confusing for your pet. And of course, newspaper and natural fibre-based cat litters (such as walnut shell, corn or paper based litters) are a great green option for environmentally-minded cat owners.
Check out our ideas for DIY cat toys and DIY dog toys!
Dinnertime!
Like humans, the food we feed our pets and the packaging used can have a massive impact on the environment over the lifetime of a pet.
At the very least, it is worth considering paper-packaged pet-food and litter and buying in bulk to reduce wastage. But what about the ingredients of the food itself? It probably isn't a secret that not all brands of pet food attain the highest levels of nutrition or environmentally-conscious production, so if this is an issue that matters to you it is worth doing a bit of research on the practices of the companies you purchase from. As consumer demand shifts, hopefully so will industry practice.
In the meantime, there is a growing movement amongst many owners towards home-made pet food - but research first! And absolutely keep your vet at hand for advice, as pets do not have the same nutritional requirements as us humans and should not eat many of the foods we consume.
Do you have any handy tips or thoughts on pet sustainability? Be sure to leave a comment below or on our Facebook Page!
