Eco-Friendly Dog Products: A Lower Carbon Pawprint for Your Dog

A dog’s carbon pawprint is a lot more than pawprints in the sand.

Having pets in their home is a reality for a great deal of the world’s population. Estimates suggest that over half of the global population has a pet at home. And that number is growing.

While pets are great for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, they can actually have a less positive impact on the planet itself.

Generally speaking, dogs eat meat. They poop waste into the environment. Toys, beds, bowls and other pet supplies are often made from plastic or other synthetic materials. Their environmental impact can be significant.

Now, does that mean that those of us who are trying to live a greener life need to give up our precious fur babies?

No, absolutely not. And I would never suggest that.

The fact is, for many people, having dogs is their one connection to Nature itself. Dogs get people outside for daily walks, helps them appreciate animal instincts, and can even create an empathy for the entire environment and our connection to it.

But, if you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint, and are interested in starting with a pawprint, let’s check out a few ideas that will help, one dog at a time.

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1) Compostable Dog Poops Bags

For a long, long time, people with dogs rarely picked up dog waste. They just left Mother Nature to do the work and the mess in populated areas was probably pretty disgusting.

When leash laws were introduced in many cities and countries, people were forced to use whatever they had on hand. Newspaper, cardboard, and then, eventually, single use plastic bags were used.

In the 1980’s, poop bags were invented. By the 1990’s, carrying and using small plastic bags on a roll during walks became common. These bags still exist. But using single use plastics comes with a huge environmental impact.

The first solution was to make bags from recycled plastic. While this extends the use of the plastic, it can never truly decompose and, over the space of 20 to 500 years, breaks down into microplastics. The upside benefit of recycled plastic is that it reuses plastic and uses up to 88% less energy than conventional plastics in its manufacturing process.

Biodegradable plastic poop bags will break down faster. However, these bags use traditional plastics that are treated with chemical additives and they will only break down in the presence of sunlight and oxygen. Not exactly plentiful resources when buried in a landfill. And they will only break down into microplastics, just like regular plastic.

If you are in an area that has a green bin program that accepts pet waste, as is the case in our area, you may want to consider the next evolution, which is compostable poop bags.

These bags are plant-based and certified bags that will break down into organic matter in industrial composting facilities. They will not break down quickly in landfills or regular composting facilities because they require high heat and oxygen. So, their benefits are reduced in this case. There are some companies that claim their bags will fully break down in home composters but that’s up for debate and you then can’t use that compost for growing food.

However, in our case, pet waste is accepted in our green bins when contained in paper bags or certified compostable bags. The waste goes to an industrial digester and is completely biodegraded into compost for landscaping applications.

2) Training Pads

Having your dog go outside to do their business is the ideal solution, but there are situations where using training pads may be a necessity. For instance, with very young puppies, apartment dwellers, senior dogs, or elderly pet parents, potty pads may be a necessity.

Disposable potty pads will have an increased environmental impact but you can reduce that impact a little by using pads made from recycled materials.

Another option is to use washable pads, such as these Wanpeegoo Washable Pee Pads. These pads are built to last and can be washed again and again. Simply wash with detergent only and air dry.

Another option is a dog grass pee pad system. Using artificial turf and a tray to catch the urine, the grass and tray can be washed off and reused. This is a good option for a dog that knows that grass is “the right place to go”. The issue with these products are that they’re made from synthetic materials. However, by being re-usable and washable, their impact on the environment is reduced over their lifetime.

3) Sustainable Toys

So many dog toys are made from plastic, nylon, and other synthetic materials. While they may(or may not) be toxic to dogs, they aren’t environmentally friendly. Finding natural and safe alternatives will help you and your dog go green and still have fun. Some great options include:

Creature Eco Wool Ball Dog Toys- These woolen dog balls come in eco-friendly packaging and are made from solid organic wool that can withstand even the most enthusiastic chewers. If you're searching for puppy toys that are both fun and safe for your dog, look no further. Made with non-toxic materials and designed for hours of playtime.

Kong Classic Dog Toy- The Kong Classic, while not biodegradable, falls onto my list of an eco-friendly option because it’s practically in-destructable. I have had one Kong that has lasted through 4 dogs, including a heavy chewer, and it barely has a mark on it. Chances are, you’ll be able to keep this toy long after most toys have hit the landfill. To me, a natural rubber chew toy that is non-toxic and that durable belongs on this list.

Pet Passion Rope Tug Toys- Crafted from 100% organic cotton, these ropes are designed for tug and fetch for all dog breeds large and small and includes 3 different rope toys.

ReThink Pet Eco-bud Plush Toy- This plush toy for dogs is crafted from recycled plastic water bottles.

Pet Passion Cotton Plush- These plush toys are made from durable organic cotton and filled with coconut fiber. Super cute, especially for your little dogs!

You and your dog can do your part to take care of this big, beautiful world!

4) Brushes

Instead of buying plastic brushes for your dogs, you can opt for brushes with eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, sisal, hemp plant fibers and ethical boar hair. Here’s just a couple of examples:

Bamboo and Boar Pet Toothbrush-These zero waste toothbrushes are made from bamboo, a highly renewable plant, and boar bristles for a natural solution for your dog’s dental care.

Burt’s Bees Double Sided Grooming Brush- This grooming brush has a bamboo handle and is made from recycled materials. It has a metal pin side for detangling and a hemp bristle side for a shiny coat, reducing the need for two separate grooming brushes.

5) Dog Shampoo

Shampoos for pets, similar to many human shampoos, are often full of chemicals. But there are eco-friendly options that are biodegradable, plant-based, and non-toxic. If you take your dog to a groomer, check with them to see if they have eco-friendly grooming products. But, for at home baths, check out these options:

Attitude 2-in-1 Pet Shampoo and Conditioner- This 2-in-1 pet shampoo and conditioner is made with 98% natural ingredients and is alcohol, dye, mineral oil, paraben, and polyethylene glycol free. It’s also unscented, vegan, and cruelty-free, and even comes in a recycled plastic bottle.

Kelebs Natural Dog Shampoo Bar- Did you know that 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year, only 9% of the world's plastic is recycled and approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced worldwide every year? Kelebs is a concentrated bar soap that contains natural, vegan, and organic ingredients. It’s a great choice to both save money and the environment.

6) Plant-based Wipes

If you have the option to skip the wipes to clean up your pet, this is a greener choice. But there can be times when wipes are the best option for caring for your dog. In this case, make a better choice by opting for an eco-friendly choice such as Immhabi Pet Wipes.

These wipes are plant-based, sourced from sustainable wood sources, free from alcohol, parabens, and fragrances.

7) Dog Bowl

Eco friendly dog bowls use sustainable, non-toxic materials like stainless steel, bamboo fiber, and lead-free ceramic.

Stainless Steel Bowl- These bowls are extremely durable, long-lasting, and are 100% recyclable at the end of their life. We use stainless steel bowls for our dogs and they are in-destructable, easy to clean, and I can’t imagine that we’d ever have to replace them. But at least they can be recycled at the end of their life.

Loving Pets Dolce Bamboo Bowl- These bowls were made using the renewable and sustainable bamboo making them a green choice for your pets.

Pearhead Ceramic Pet Bowl- These lead-free ceramic bowls are easy to keep clean and durable. They’re made from natural, abundant clay, and do not degrade into harmful chemicals or microplastics, unlike many pet bowls.

8) Eco-Friendly Collar

If you need a dog collar, consider an eco-friendly option such as one made from recycled or bio-renewable resources.

Waudog Reflective Dog Collar- These collars are made from recycled cotton to conserve resources. They are hypoallergenic, soft, easy to wash, and very durable. Made by the Collar Company in Ukraine.

Pawsitive Hemp Dog Collar- Hemp is a natural fibre that was used in the past for rope, sails, canvas and webbing. It’s extremely durable, uses less water than cotton to grow, is durable, long-lasting, and completely biodegradable.

Choose eco-friendly and sustainable materials for your dog’s supplies.

9) Eco-Friendly Leash

To go with your dog’s collar, you may also need a new leash. Choose one that uses sustainable, recycled, or upcycled materials for a greener choice.

Waudog Recycled Dog Leash- This is a companion to the Waudog reflective dog collar, described above. Like the collar, it’s made from recycled cotton with reflective threads built in for increased night-time visibility. It’s easy to wash, strong, durable, and friendly to the environment.

Pawsitive Hemp Dog Leash- As a match to your Pawsitive hemp dog collar, or on it’s own, this double layered leash is strong, durable and eco-friendly.

10) Dog Beds

When choosing a dog bed, find one that uses sustainable materials like organic cotton or hemp with recycled fill. There are so many options and sizes available that it would be hard to pick just one but I love the Molly Mutt Bed Covers. These beds are made with durable cotton materials and can be stuffed with an old bed that has seen better days or with used blankets, towels, or clothing from your own closet to provide a comfy bed for your dog that smells like you!

Final Thoughts

While your dog will always have a carbon pawprint in this world, there are choices that you can make that are better for the environment and better for your pet. At the end of the day, switching to sustainable and Earth-friendly products for your dog will help the planet. Every little bit helps.

As pet parents choose “green ”for their dogs, demand increases. Pet supply manufacturers will respond in kind, if they want to survive.

Also, be open to toy swaps, re-using materials to make other items such as turning old t-shirts into dog toys, and remembering that items will, one day, either end up in a landfill or get recycled.

Do your research, keep the eco-friendly conversation in your mind, and you and your dog can do your part, one choice at a time!