11 Paw-some Eco-Friendly Pet Products
Pet ownership has grown exponentially since the pandemic. Globally more than half the world’s population are pet parents.
Although they make us happy, giving us every reason to own them, the pet industry does have an environmental dark side.
Here are some of the top Environmental Problems related to Pet Ownership:
- Cat litter – Clay cat litter manufacturing uses mined materials, and the excavation process is extremely harmful to the environment. It also is not biodegradable, meaning it sits in landfills forever (Natusan, 2020);
- Habitat degradation – Annually an average of 11kg of nitrogen a hectare and 5kg of phosphorus is excreted by dogs, which is similar level of pollution created by farming, industry and traffic fumes;
- Cats are killing birds- leading to Biodiversity Loss – It is estimated that approximately 2.6 billion birds are killed annually in Canada and the US by cats;
- Meat-Heavy diets – Both dogs and cats account for 25 -30% of the environmental impact of meat consumption in the United States;
- Dog feces releases Carbon dioxide emissions – In the US, pets produce 5.1 million tons of feces-the same amount of feces as 90 million humans each year. Transporting and processing this waste creates a massive carbon dioxide output (Jiminy’s, 2021); and
- Large amounts of land is needed to produce pet food – Approximately 49 million hectares of land is needed to produce meat products used in pet food.
Although these statistics might be overwhelming, a study has shown more than 50% of pet owners are willing to pay more for eco-friendly pet products.
This will only increase as pet owners become more aware of the environmental impact their pet has, and how to combat these issues.
We challenge you to PAWS for the Planet, and consider the environmental impact your pet has.
We’ve put together a list of 11 best eco-friendly pet products you can try to help reduce your pets environmental pawprint.
1) Bananas for Bacon Treats
Did you know that food waste emissions generate 3.2 million cars worth of greenhouse gases in the US alone? That’s why Shameless Pets uses at least 20% upcycled ingredients in all of their treats with each one providing specific health benefits to pets. At Shameless Pets, they’re passionate about fighting climate change by reducing food waste.
We love these Bananas for Bacon Treats because of how sustainable they are!
These treats are:
- Made with 40% upcycled ingredients;
- Free from grain, corn, soy, and wheat;
- Made from 25% PCR (post-consumer recyclable) plastic bottles & milk jugs; and
- Made with 80% solar energy .
Shameless Pets treats are proudly made in the USA – and both dogs and cats love them. Believe those tail wags and counter jumps because Shameless Pets has an average 4.75 star rating for their products with over 5 million reviews!
Shameless Pets has so far saved over 1 million pounds of food, with a goal of 3 million pounds saved by the end of 2025. Way to go Shameless Pets! To check this product out and to spoil your dog or cat in a more sustainable way, you can click here.
2) Simply Gentle Ear Cleaner
An estimated 20% of dogs have some form of an ear infection. Professionals say prevention is key, by taking the time to inspect and clean your dog’s ears. However, a lot of pet care products contain synthetic colours, fragrances, and toxic ingredients that may affect your dog’s and the planet’s health. A lot of dogs are sensitive around the ears and feel a sting from cleansers that contain alcohol. Skip the RUFF chemicals and choose Eco Dog Care’s Simply Gentle Ear Cleaner. It’s made with plant-based ingredients specifically designed to clean and soothe your dogs ear, without using synthetic chemicals or alcohol. Supplement your dog’s wellness routine with a product that respects your dog’s wellbeing and the planet’s.
3) Insect Dog Treats
Did you know that 25% of our meat production is used for pet food?
Even if you are reducing your meat yourself, you have to also consider your animal’s diet, too. HOPE Pet Food provides a unique solution to keep your pet’s environmental PAWPRINT minimal. Their Berry Buglicious Treats are made with insect protein and are nutritious, sustainable, and hypoallergenic. By using insect protein instead of meat, they cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions by 70% and use 99% less land and water! Your furry friend is guaranteed to drool over them, and if not they’ll give a full refund, no questions asked. Choose HOPE Pet Food for your pet’s next snack, and feed your pet for the future.
4) Wool Dog Toys
Approximately 634 million dog toys end up in landfill each year (Raker, 2021). This is particularly harmful because a lot of dogs toys are made out of plastic which leaches harmful chemicals into the earth. Simply Natural Canada offers an eco-friendly solution with their fair trade pure wool dog toys.
They are;
- Un-dyed and chemical free
- Excellent at keeping teeth naturally clean
- Long lasting
- Digestible (if your dog happens to eat one)
These natural wool toys will keep your pet and the planet healthy and happy.
5) Eco-Friendly Poop Bags
We all know it’s important to stoop and scoop. (Check out our blog post here to learn why). But have you ever thought of what happens afterwards?
Nearly 10 million tons of dog waste and 500 million little single-use plastic dog waste bags end up in landfills annually in the U.S alone.
The Original Poop Bags is tackling this waste problem head-on, by offering 3 different kinds of poop bags;
- Plant-based: Made from plants, starch and renewable sources. They are certified compostable and are okay for green bins in California and Canada.
- USDA Certified Biobased: Made with 38% plant material = helps reduce environmental impact.
- Recycled: The recycled poop bags use up to 30% recycled materials in production.
Best of all, with their Biobased poop bags, they offer numbered poop bags. They come with a countdown roll, meaning each poop bag is individually numbered, so you’ll always know if you need to grab another roll before leaving the house.
The Original Poop Bags® have met a heady list of environmental standards; they are the first dog waste bag manufacturer to earn the USDA Certified Biobased Label.
Help reduce your furry friend’s contribution to the plastic and poop pollution problem.
6) Wood Pellet Cat Litter
Did you know that 25% of cat litter contains bentonite clay; a resource that requires strip mining which has damaging effects on ecosystems?
Luckily there are some great alternatives out there, including Healthy Pet’s ökocat® less mess clumping wood litter. It’s made with soft, mini wooden pellets that are easy on paws and less likely to be tracked throughout your home.
This litter;
- Prevents odours
- Clumps solid
- 99% dust free
- Biodegradable and flushable
It contains no artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals, toxic dyes or GMOs.
Healthy Pet has been producing natural pet products from reclaimed, renewable materials for over 35 years, and believe that sustainability is much more than that. They are continually striving to reach new goals to maintain and improve in all aspects: the environment, people, and their community.
Every year they divert millions of pounds of wood, pulp and paper remnants from landfills in alignment with sustainable forestry initiatives (SFI). All of their finished products are completely biodegradable and compostable.
This plant based cat litter is sustainably sourced, and made with responsibly rescued natural plant fiber because it’s a cleaner and healthier alternative for your entire family, including your pets and the planet.
7) Eco-Friendly Pet Supplies: Shampoo Bars
Looking to make bath time more sustainable? At Nature’s Aid they offer shampoo bars for pets, with zero plastic packaging! It’s an eco-friendly option that also offers nourishing benefits for their skin and coat. The shampoo bar is extremely easy to use, just wet your pet and the bar, and then run the bar along their coat. It lathers easily, and saves the amount of shampoo needed overall. The shampoo bars are vegan, cruelty-free and made with all natural ingredients, so it’s good for your pet and the planet.
8) Sustainable Pet Products: Anti-tick Spray
As the climate warms, finding ticks in urban areas is becoming much more common. Checking for ticks on your pet after spending some time outside is important and to lessen the chances of finding one, you can take preventative action. Try Healthy Planet’s Atlantick Outdoor Spray, it can be sprayed directly on you or your pet to help keep the bugs away! Scented with lemongrass, it’s refreshing, skin-nourishing and a safe alternative to tick repellant.
At Healthy Planet their goal is make the world Healthier and Greener one day at a time. They believe that even the smallest, simplest of positive actions every day can result in big changes toward a better, healthier life for yourself, for the planet, and in this case, for your pet.
9) Worm Composter/Digester
Throwing out your pet’s poo just seems wasteful. What if there was a way give your pet’s poo a second life?
Using the power of worms, Eartheasy’s Pet Poo Worm Composter turns pet waste into castings that allows you to fertilize your ornamental gardens. It’s designed to collect kitchen scraps and pet waste, with roughly a 50:50 ratio. It works in colder climates by keeping your worms insulated. The composter can also handle 6-9 lbs of waste per week. This compost enriches your soil with nutrients and minerals, and gives your dogs poo a planet-friendly purpose.
New to worm composting? Eartheasy gives you all the tips and tricks you need to help it be a success. Check it out here.
10) Paws & Sniffer Balm
Winter is still quite a few months away thankfully, but it’s never too early to start preparing! During those cold winter months, just like us, your pet can also suffer from the cold, dry air. That’s why The Green Jar created the Paws and Sniffer Balm designed to help keep paws and snouts moisturized.
It’s Canadian-made, contains 100% natural ingredients (so it’s safe for your pet to consume), and it’s packed in a reusable tin. This product is also available for subscription, so you can receive it on a regular basis.
Every order placed at The Green Jar plants a tree through their partner Our Forest. These trees help create habitat for wildlife, absorb carbon from the atmosphere and help people facing extreme poverty.
11) Pet Deodorizer
Stinky odours and pawprints from pets are a given. While there are tons of cleaners on the market, most of them contain harsh chemicals that are harmful for the planet and your pet.
Tersano believes cleaning products can be sustainable and effective. With SAO, you can have a safe, clean, and odorless space for your furry friends.
Their clever sanitation technology:
- Requires 90% less water than chemical cleaners;
- Utilize ozone technology;
- Uses no harsh chemicals;
- And the cartridges are fully recyclable.
It’s the ultimate cleaner, sanitizer and deodorant, with the ability to remove odours with just a few sprays.
We all love our furry friends, but what we don’t love is their environmental impact on the planet. Here at Random Acts of Green we’re all pet parents, and are continually looking for eco-friendly pet products to help reduce their environmental pawprint.
We hope you enjoyed reading about these 11 best eco-friendly pet products! Would your community enjoy this read? Easily share this blog to your platforms with the buttons below!
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