Myth vs. Fact
Myth:
Investing in pet care options that are better for the environment is expensive and won’t have a meaningful impact on my pet or the overall environment.
Fact:
Every one of us can have an impact if we shop local, choose items that travel less distance, and dispose of waste wisely . You will find many cost-effective and better alternatives for your companion animals from local businesses in Canada. Small changes can have a big impact, such as using biodegradable waste bags, investing in eco-friendly toys, mental stimulation activities, and purchasing locally made food products. By making smart choices and incorporating environmentally sustainable alternatives into your pet’s life, you are contributing to a healthier planet for pets and humans alike.
Why does environmentally friendly pet care matter?
When we have a pet, it’s our responsibility to ensure our pets are healthy and content. Being environmentally friendly means integrating small, conscious decisions that make a positive environmental impact into your daily routine. Many of us strive to make environmentally friendly choices in our daily lives, so why not extend the same care to our pets? Adopting an environmentally focused pet care option can help promote overall environmental health for us and our pets.
Environmentally friendly solutions in pet care don’t often come up in daily conversations, but maybe they should. This article is a valuable read for all pet caregivers looking to explore environmentally friendly options for their companion animals, so please share it with your friends and family.
Before we invest in new foods, toys, or activities, we usually read the label to ensure it’s safe for our pets. The products we choose may be safe, but are they harmful to the environment?
Did you Know?
Research shows that about 15% of recycled plastic is used to create pet toys and accessories, and nearly 32% of pet owners want to purchase products from companies that are transparent about their sustainability policies (Gitnux market data).
Making environmentally friendly pet food choices
During the pandemic, pet caregivers spent a lot of time with their furry companions. This made them take “a humanizing approach” to the products and food they purchased on a regular basis, which included emphasizing “clean and natural” products (NielsenIQ insights). For instance, some pet food products now focus on “free-from” and “meat-first” labels to emphasize products free from artificial preservatives, which tend to dominate the pet food shelves (NIQ). Research shows that there has been an increasing demand for organic pet treats in 2023; the demand for organic treats as a share of all treats rose by 15% (Gitnux).
When you’re shopping for pet food, look into natural food products and read the list of ingredients. When we talk to pet caregivers at PAWS, we often learn that they’re looking for healthier options to incorporate into their pet’s daily diet.
Choosing biodegradable or recycled waste bags
Biodegradable waste bags that decompose over time are an environmentally friendly option. For instance, some bags are made from plant-based materials like cornstarch.
However, it’s important to note that a lot of compostable poop bags are not all plant-based. They might contain plastic polymer from fossil fuels, and without the essential composting conditions, these bags contribute to micro plastics pollution, just like traditional plastic poop bags (Vet Sustain).
Reusing existing waste materials to produce dog waste bags is more cost-effective, so you can make environmentally responsible choices without needing access to specialized composting facilities (Vet Sustain). Or you can simply reuse plastic bags that you have at home from grocery shopping and other sources, instead of throwing them out right away.
Choosing environmentally friendly cat litter
Instead of using traditional clay-based cat litter, try gradually transitioning to more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as lightweight and dust-free recycled paper. It’s also ideal for cats with respiratory issues. Other options include pellets made from pine, wheat, and soil, ground-up corn, newspaper, grass seeds, and walnut shells (Cats.com).
Supporting local Canadian small businesses
If you want to invest in sustainable products for your pets, shop from local small businesses. It’s a cost-effective way to integrate sustainability into your pet-care decisions. We recommend shopping from Canadian-only brands and connecting with local small businesses, or attending local vendor markets to choose environmentally friendly options in pet supplies.
You can get great advice at your local pet store staff too. In a recent visit to Pet Valu, I found the staff and owner amazingly well informed about food quality as well as what’s local or Canadian made and what’s not.
Tips for making pet care more environmentally friendly
- Research sustainable products to buy for your pet the next time you plan to visit the pet shop.
- Attend local vendor markets to learn more about family-owned businesses selling organic and natural food products. Read the product labels of the product and their reviews and feedback.
- Don’t overwhelm yourself with information (and possibly misinformation) on what to buy and what not to buy. Trust a credible source, such as our post on buying pet food for better health. We are on a mission to keep pet caregivers well informed with evidence-backed data.
- If composting is unavailable in your area, consider alternative pet waste disposal methods allowed under municipal guidelines to minimize your environmental impact. Use your browser to search for “pet waste disposal near me”. Here’s what we found for London Ontario
- Finally, learn more about the companies you purchase pet care products from, such as by reading their policies and statements on transparency and sustainable practices.
Environmentally friendly pet shops in Canada
- Open Farm: https://openfarmpet.com/
- Earth Rated: https://www.earthrated.com/en-ca
- Canadian Pet Connection: https://www.canadianpetconnection.ca/
- Home Alive Pets: https://www.homesalive.ca/
Small steps can make a big difference to the environment
Taking small steps can ultimately lead to a bigger impact. By making environmentally friendly choices for your pet, you help make the world more sustainable. We invite all pet caregivers to help make this a healthier planet for both pets and their caregivers. Take action now – every small effort counts.
Reference:
Sustainability in the Pet Industry Statistics (Gitnux)
Consumers Focus on Sustainable Pet Ownership (NIQ)
Pet Owners Flock Toward Alternative Pet Foods (CBC News)
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