It may be hard to believe, but even little Fido can leave an ecological paw print. In 2017 a total of 89.7 million dogs in the U.S. were registered as pets, making it necessary to practice a sustainable lifestyle not only for ourselves, but for our dogs too.

Potty training your dog

Potty training a new puppy or living with an indoor dog can create a lot of waste from cleaning supplies and trash bags. If your pet still hasn’t grasped the whole, “use the restroom outside” rule, consider biodegradable pads like the Bamboo Training Pads that are made of 25 percent bamboo rayon and 75 percent wood pulp. You can also try the Petmaker Puppy Potty Trainer to reduce waste.

Dog food

Only buy food brands for your dog that are USDA certified organic to support farming that keeps pesticides out of food and water runoff. Brands include Organix, Tender and True, “I and love and you” and many more. As well, most dog food bags are lined with plastic and can’t be recycled. However, TerraCycle is a recycling service where you can send back waste items including dog food bags to recycle and repurpose the plastic. TerraCycle is currently partnered with Open Farm, Royal Canin and Wellness dog food brands.  

Sustainable toys

Humans are producing around 300 million tons of plastic every year, and a majority of pet toys are made of plastic that can’t be recycled after it’s chewed and slobbered on. Instead, you can recycle household items by making chew toys out of old clothing, and your dog will never know the difference. If you aren’t keen on the idea of making dog toys, consider buying from West Paw that uses eco-friendly materials through a recycled plastic fiber system, IntelliLoft.

Pet waste options

When you’re out and about with your companion, make sure to carry biodegradable poop bags to clean up your pet’s droppings. According to Clear Choices Clean Water, the average dog poops 0.75 pounds of waste daily, which totals over 400 pounds per year. If not collected properly, dog poop can contaminate rivers, streams and other bodies of water. You can also compost your dog’s poop in your backyard with an EnsoPet Kit.

Buy green necessities

Before buying supplies from a pet store, look into eco-friendly and organic products for your dog. From shampoo and beds to cleaning products, consider sustainable options for your furry friend, and help reduce their ecological paw print.