By Lucy Wyndham
UNDATED (NewsDakota.com) – According to a recent study, dogs and cats are responsible for more than one-quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by animal agriculture in the USA.
With more than 140,000 dogs alone living in households across North Dakota, becoming an eco-friendly pet owner could have a much bigger impact on the environment than you could ever imagine. Thankfully, there are a number of simple changes you can make to your pet care routine that will render it a lot more eco-friendly while also ensuring that your beloved pets stay in good health.
Make use of eco-friendly pet care products
One of the easiest ways to put an eco-friendly spin on your pet care is to make use of products that are as natural as possible. Where dog owners can aim to only make use of shampoos and flea & tick repellents that are eco-friendly, cat owners can do the same with regards to kitty litter. Traditional clay-based cat litter is, in fact, a huge environmental stressor and should be replaced with chemical-free, biodegradable options.
Even fish owners can take a more eco-friendly approach to their pet care by making use of bio-stones and sustainable aquarium filters. There are a number of reputable pet supply stores, such as Petco, PetSmart, and the Natural Pet Centre who have branches across North Dakota, where environment-conscious pet owners can stock up on all the eco-friendly pet care products they need.
Feed your pets thoughtfully
The food you choose to feed your pets can have a huge impact on the environment if you aren’t careful. Not only is pet food often packaged in excessive amounts of plastic that contribute towards North Dakota’s solid waste concerns, but many brands are also filled with GMO corn and soy that add to the number of pesticides that make their way into the environment. The most efficient ways to decrease your pets’ carbon footprint is to either make their food yourself so that you not only cut out the middleman but also know exactly what goes into the finished product or to only buy food that is produced from sustainably-raised, organic, or grass-fed animals and non-GMO grain products.
Opt for sustainable toys
While toys can be of great entertainment to our pets they are, more often than not, also a giant source of solid waste. While we may have the best intentions when purchasing these toys, the problem comes in when they need to be replaced every couple of weeks. Thankfully, even your pets’ toys can become a lot more eco-friendly simply by making a few astute purchase decisions.
There are a number of outlets in Northern Dakota that sell pet toys made from organic materials. Even if you do not like what is on offer at any of the shops it is no excuse to spend money on mass-produced plastic items that will be destroyed within days as an increasing number of online stores also stock eco-friendly pet accessories. Alternatively, you can always browse the web in search of ways to upcycle old items you have around the house to make the ultimate sustainable toys for your beloved pets.
Going green with regards to your pet care is great not only for the environment but for your pet’s health as well. Even just making the smallest possible changes to your routine will make a big difference to the world around you.