Purple and Paws Okay, I’m a day late, but still. As someone who tries to live the most eco-friendly life possible, I appreciate how Earth Day (hopefully) makes more people sit up and take notice of the carbon footprint they leave. As a pet owner, it’s also important for me to help my dog, Socks, be as eco-friendly as possible. If you’d also like to live a greener life when it comes to your pets, try the following tips!
Pick Up Waste
When you have a dog, you get used to picking up their poop but, as I’ve unfortunately seen in my neighborhood and the desert where I walk Socks, not everyone seems to be able to grasp the concept of cleaning up after their four-legged pal. And I get it. Dealing with poop isn’t fun or pleasant. But leaving dog waste is NOT good for the environment and can cause harm to other animals, plants, and even people. So please always remember to stick a few bags in your pocket before heading out with your pet. And speaking of bags…
Buy Eco-Friendly Poop Bags
There’s nothing wrong with using random grocery bags to scoop up your dog’s business or even cute decorated bags but with so much plastic floating around the planet, buying eco-friendly poop bags is really a no-brainer. Stores everywhere these days sell them. Here’s my favorite brand but there are plenty of others on the market. Do some research to discover your fave!
Buy Eco-Friendly Products
In the old days finding eco-friendly pet products used to be hard work. Not anymore. Toys, bowls, beds, leashes, collars…pretty much any pet product you can think of has a green/eco-friendly option out there. These options are sometimes a bit more expensive but they’re worth the extra dollars in my opinion.
Spend More Time Outdoors
The easiest, cheapest option on the list! Embracing the green lifestyle means spending more time outdoors and less time cooped up indoors. Obviously, how much time you can spend outside will depend on the time of year and where you live. But most dogs enjoy romping in the grass and sunlight and it’s healthy for them and for you. So instead of tossing the old tennis ball around the living room, put on your sneakers, clip on your pup’s leash, and head over to the park.
Don’t Liter
I don’t know about you, but it makes me so sad when I walk Socks and see all the trash on the sidewalks, in the streets, and tossed in bushes. So if your dog poops, pick it up with a bag and take the bag home to put in the trash. If you give your dog some water from a bottle, take the bottle home to recycle. If you give your dog some treats from a plastic baggy, take the baggy home to reuse.
Following these tips might require some willpower at first but take comfort in the fact that you’re helping save our planet for future humans and their pets!