Reduce your dog or cat’s carbon pawprint and support a sustainable lifestyle by switching to eco-friendly pet products, from food to toys.

Environmentally conscious consumers strive to reduce their ecological footprint in all areas of their lives. This includes the products they buy for their dogs and cats. Sustainable pet products for eco-conscious dog and cat parents are becoming more available and popular as they contribute to a healthier planet and healthier animals. 

Defining sustainable pet products

Companies create sustainable pet products using environmentally friendly materials, ethical practices, and designs that reduce waste and harm to the planet. You can purchase these products in pet supply stores, from specialty companies, or online. Even neighborhood grocery stores are likely to have some of these items. 

Foods and treats with a lighter “pawprint”

One of the most significant areas where sustainable pet products have gained traction is pet food and treats. Many premium pet food brands are reducing their environmental impact. They do this by responsibly sourcing ingredients from local organic farms. 

Some also incorporate ingredients that require less land and water for their production than livestock does. Lentils, chickpeas, insects, and seaweed are among the more environmentally friendly ingredients finding their way into pet foods and treats. 

Sustainable ingredients are healthier for our dogs and cats. Natural and/or organic foods and treats don’t contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions or skin irritations. Plant-based or alternative proteins may offer additional health benefits. These include reducing the risk of obesity or other conditions.

Feeding a sustainable diet offers social and ethical benefits. For example, companies supporting fair trade principles help ensure employees receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. This approach contributes to better living standards in communities and countries where manufacturing may otherwise exploit labor forces. 

Additionally, cruelty-free farming and testing help foster a more humane economy. 

From toys to cat litter: making ecofriendly choices 

Pet food and its packaging are only part of the equation. Sharing your home with a dog or cat involves more than just food. It also means purchasing a variety of other products, such as toys and bedding. 

• Sustainable toys made from natural rubber, hemp or bamboo are becoming more available. These materials are safer for dogs and cats and biodegrade over time, leaving no harmful plastic residue. Some companies use recycled materials instead of new ones to create pet toys. This helps reduce the waste that ends up in landfills.

• If you’re a cat parent, you need to factor litter into your sustainability program. Look for biodegradable or compostable litters made from recycled paper, wood, wheat, or corn. These materials break down faster than conventional clay. 

• Manufacturers of pet bedding, apparel, leashes, and other accessories have also embraced sustainability. Choose items made from organic or recycled materials such as bamboo, hemp, natural latex, or even recycled plastic bottles. These products reduce waste while offering durability and style. 

• You can buy sustainable grooming products as well. Shampoos and conditioners made from natural plant-based ingredients are biodegradable and free of harmful chemicals. This means they’re healthier for our dogs and cats, and safer for our waterways. Also look for brushes and combs made from recyclable plastics. 

• Eco-friendly pet waste disposal is also important. Manufacturers design biodegradable and compostable poop bags to break down faster than plastic, using materials like cornstarch or plant-based polymers.

• For fleas and ticks, opt for natural products containing essential oils such as eucalyptus and cedarwood, which effectively repel pests without the use of harmful chemicals. 

All these approaches help promote awareness of environmental issues among animal parents and other consumers. Adopting eco-conscious choices helps us influence industry trends. It also encourages more companies to embrace sustainable practices.

Sustainable pet products for eco-conscious dog and cat parents are easy to find now. Whether you choose just one category (e.g. food or cat litter) or make changes in every area, you’ll reduce waste, minimize harmful chemical exposure, and support eco-conscious manufacturing processes. Contribute to a healthier planet as well as a healthier dog or cat.

Better food packaging options 

As people choose sustainable foods and treats for their animals, their awareness of the impact of packaging also grows. Traditional pet food packaging has downsides. This is especially the case when it comes to plastics, which comprise a serious waste and pollution problem worldwide. 

Some pet food companies reduce plastic waste by using biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable packaging. Others sell pet food in bulk. This encourages consumers to bring their own containers and reduces packaging waste.

Shopping for sustainable pet products

Alaska Naturals (tridentseafoods.com/brands/alaska-naturals): Fish oil toppers and treats made from wild salmon and pollock harvested with sustainable fishing practices. 

APC (apcproteins.com): Uses blood from the meat processing industry to produce functional proteins for pet food, treats, and supplements, thereby diverting it from wastewater systems and landfills.

Earth Animal (earthanimal.com): This pet food and wellness product company uses all recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging.  

MIRANEST (miranest.com): Utilizes unused swiftlet nests from Borneo in its supplements; this rare superfood is rich in nutrients that boost cell health and the immune system. A portion of their sales goes to environmental conservation in Borneo.

Shades of Gray Indigenous Pet Treats (indigenoustreats.ca): Uses sustainable, humane farming practices and ethically sourced local meats for their dog and cat treats. 

Wapiti Labs (wapitielk.com): Sustainable elk velvet supplements for people and animals, as well as chews for dogs. The company raises its own elk. 

ZIWI (us.ziwipets.com): Dog and cat food recipes made from free-range, grass-fed, ethically raised beef and lamb, local poultry, and wild-caught seafood.