Calling Pet Parents and Planet Lovers! Here are 11 Must-Have Sustainable Supplies for Pets
Keep your pet happy and the planet healthy with our curated checklist of 11 sustainable pet supplies
Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes
Whilst your precious pup is dreaming about frolicking in fields and doggy paddling in rivers and lakes, it’s on pet parents to keep green spaces and open water waste free! At ZeroWasteStore, we’re committed to providing easy and accessible sustainable alternatives for everyone in the house…including your fur babies.
To help make your poop-scooping and bone-throwing duties easier, we’ve curated a checklist of 10 sustainable supplies that care for your pet’s wellbeing, without harming the planet.
Pet supplies can be more wasteful than many people realize, with plastic bags, toys, and meaty meals stacking up a large carbon pawprint. But there are many green alternatives available that don’t require blowing your budget on Patch, Felix, or Fido.
Most of the options we’ve listed are tailored to our canine friends (they do love having an extensive shopping list, don’t they?) but lots of these eco-friendly options work for other pets too. Whether it’s eco-friendly leashes and collars or handmade treats, these sustainable supplies for pets will help to ensure a safe and healthy environment for your four-legged companion.
Enough talking, it’s time for tail-wagging! Let’s dive into the world of sustainable pet parenting.
The Environmental Impacts of Pets
Photo by Veronika Jorjobert on Unsplash
66% of US households have animal companions, but sadly our beloved pets are leaving more than just paw prints on the planet:
- In some cases, a dog’s carbon footprint can be twice of that of a 4X4 car.
- Pet food contributes to 25-30% of the environmental impact of meat consumption in the US alone.
- 40% of pet owners do not clean up after their dogs, leaving waste on the ground.
- 300 million pounds of plastic waste is generated from pet products in North America alone.
Since most of our pets aren’t environmental activists themselves (or maybe they are, who knows?), it’s on pet parents to make the change.
Sustainable Pet Supply Checklist
Maybe you’re a newbie dog parent, or you’re looking for fresh supplies for an old furry companion. Whoever you’re buying for, save or share this list to make sure you have everything you need.
Walkies
1. Awoo Pets Recycled Dog Leash, $50
Your pup is special, we know that. Stand out at the dog park with a leash that’s as stylish as it is sustainable. Awoo leases use 100% GRS-certified recycled polyester, turning post-consumer plastics into soft, durable, and comfortable yarns.
2. Awoo Pets Huggies Harness, $50
They grow up so fast, don’t they? Luckily, this GRS-certified recycled polyester harness can be adjusted as your fur baby grows. It’s lightweight, suitable for different walk styles, and has three size options for over 100 breeds.
3. BetterBone Recycled Ocean Plastic Collar, $23
Got a water-loving dog? the BetterCollar is the top pet supply choice for cleaner oceans! Dress your dog in this fair-trade collar, made from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic. The vibrant colors make your pup stand out while keeping 34 plastic bottles out of our oceans.
Poop-Scooping Duty
4. BeyondGREEN Biodegradable Pet waste Bags, $13.49
It’s a pet parents least favorite duty but no one wants to be that person who didn’t pick up the poop. Made from flour-meal and certified home compostable, these bags by BeyondGREEN offer an alternative to traditional plastic options.
5. BeyondGREEN Pet Waste Bag Dispenser, $6.99
Store your poop bags with a handy leash dispenser made from post-consumer material, for a convenient and guilt-free poop scopping.
Puppy Pamper
6. Suds & Eco Pet Shampoo Bar, $10.49
Your sustainable shower game is strong with zero-waste shampoo bars, now it’s time for your pet to up their game with an Organic Pet Shampoo Bar. Specially crafted for allergies and sensitivities, it's a must-have in your pet supplies.
7. Beco Pets Bamboo Dog Wipes, $8.99
Playtime
8. All-Natural Dog Bone, $17.99
Good Boy Treats
9. Homemade Treat Recipe, FREE
Now it’s time to get creative. Here’s how to turn your household scraps into dog-friendly treats, to cut down on your household food waste:
- Set aside veggie scraps such as strips of carrot, broccoli, lean cooked meat off-cuts, and leftover gravy or warm water.
- Combine your food scraps with wholemeal flour and egg to make a dough
- Cut into basic shapes
- Put them in the oven for 30 minutes on gas mark 4
Here are some ingredients you definitely shouldn’t give your dog:
- Raisins and grapes
- Onions
- Starchy foods (bread potato, pasta)
- Chocolate
- Anything with sugar or sweeteners
- Raw meat
- Macadamia nuts
Always check with your vet to ensure that the ingredients are safe for your specific dog's dietary needs. Enjoy baking and treating your pup, but make sure you do it safely!
10. Reusable Silicone Treat Bags, $9.99
Planet-Friendly Pet Food
11. Beco Pets Food, $18.99
A dog’s meat-based diet requires a lot of land, energy, and water, meaning your pet's favorite kibbles can have a huge carbon footprint (not to mention the plastic packaging!). Beco pets are working to change that, offering sustainable and nutritious pet food options, packaged in biodegradable materials.
Save or Share the Pet Supply Checklist With Fellow Pet Parents!
Photo by Jonas Vincent on Unsplash
Pet parents and planet lovers, we hope you’ve found this guide to sustainable supplies for pets useful. Why not save this post so that next time you need to restock treats, or are getting dangerously close to your last poop bag, you’ll have eco-friendly options ready?
Or if you know a soon-to-be pet parent, we’d love for you to share the list, so they can make sure they’re making the best choice for their future fur child and the planet.
Thanks for joining our mission to rethink waste and create a cleaner future –we’re happy to have you in the pack!
Comments (0)