Pet food accounts for up to one-fifth of all meat and fish production.<\/p><\/li>
Pet treats and snacks can be overpackaged, usually with single-use plastic.<\/p><\/li>
Dog poo in or out of dog poo bags can be disastrous for the environment.<\/p><\/li>
There\u2019s almost always a better choice available to help reduce the ecological impacts of dog ownership.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>
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Agriculture can be a leading cause of deforestation<\/strong><\/h3>Overall, I don\u2019t consider Jerry\u2019s carbon paw print as being significant. His meat-based food<\/a> was inevitably going to score badly. But whilst there are meat-eating humans in the world, there will always be the leftover bits that can go into dog food. I didn\u2019t find anyone was farming animals to exclusively produce dog food! There were elements of his treats that I found disappointing<\/a>. Such as the bulk-buy gravy bones that come with a supply of plastic bags. Finding out about the different types of poo bags<\/a> available was far more interesting than I thought it would be!<\/p>
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Where you put your dog\u2019s poo is important<\/strong><\/h3>So what are the key messages for other responsible dog owners that want to help reduce or mitigate their dog\u2019s carbon pawprint?<\/p>
Choose a dog food that your dog likes and provides all the nutrition that they need, and don\u2019t overfeed them. Don\u2019t get hung up on it having meat content, but consider avoiding beef if it\u2019s an option. Buying in bulk can help cut carbon miles, especially if you get your dog food delivered.<\/p><\/li>
Choose sustainable treats and toys. Give UK-sourced red deer antlers a try with your dog. Try to avoid plastic toys that are prone to shredding and ropes made of synthetic fibres. Second-hand toys, bowls and bedding in good condition help prevent the need for new ones to be produced.<\/p><\/li>
Give plant-based dog poo bags a try. Yes, they currently cost a little more than plastic, but bulk buying or adding to a subscription can help reduce the price.<\/p><\/li>
Make the most of your local area for dog walks. Dogs are inherently sociable creatures, and they\u2019re bound to make new friends nearby if they encounter them regularly on their walks. Head to your nearest green spaces to soak up some woodland air. In summer, they can provide respite from the heat, and in autumn and winter, they can be the best place for muddy play! \ud83d\udc3e<\/p><\/li><\/ul>
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Remember to <\/strong>leave only footprints and pawprints<\/strong><\/a>!<\/strong><\/h3>We hope you\u2019ve learned something from our carbon pawprint series of blog posts - we certainly have! If you want to revisit any of our previous articles, head to the Dog Dad Blog<\/a>.<\/p>
You can also see the carbon and climate-positive actions of shopping with us on our Sustainability page.<\/p>
Get free UK delivery when you spend \u00a350 or more.<\/strong><\/p>