In 2025, Being the parent of 5 pup ( two Labrador Retriever and 3 are Border Collie) i feel my responsibilityto write about eco-friendly dog care practices. So, the parent in the USA and Europe we enjoy our furry companions like family members. They bring joy loyalty and endless tail wags into our homes. But with that love comes a responsibility not just to our pets but to the planet we share. Eco-friendly dog care is about making simple choices that reduce our environmental impact while keeping our dogs healthy and happy.
In this blog, we will discover every aspect of this topic. Whether you are in New York or London these tips can help you lower your dogs carbon pawprint and contribute to a greener world.
Table of Contents
Why Eco-Friendly Dog Care Matters
Why it is important to dicuss the practices of Eco-friendly dog care, because our family member which is bye the way are dog, their lifestyles have a bigger environmental impact than you might think.
As per the report of earth.org, in the United States alone, the pets’ diets account for 25-30% of the environmental impact from meat consumption, releasing millions of tons of greenhouse gases annually. While on the global scale, pet food contributes about 64 million tons of CO2 emissions each year in air, which bye the way pollute our earth eco system.
It is as similar to the emissions from 13 million cars in same way the dog produces around 770 kg of CO2 equivalent per year it is the same as driving a car 2,000 miles.
There is same patterns as well in Europe with rising pet ownership amplifying issues like water pollution from waste and resource use in manufacturing pet products.
So, are you ready for the good news?
You dont have to be very wealthy or very enviormentalist but by doings Just Small changes in parenting of dogs like adopting eco-friendly practices and the recipes for dogs which you can prepare at your home by doing so you can cut your dogs impact by up to 30-50% without compromising their well being. It s a win-win situation like have healthier pups and a healthier planet.
Step 01 :Towards Eco-Friendly Dog Care
One of the important step of being the Eco-friendly dog parents you need to know about the food and how feeding is one of the biggest contributors to your dog’s environmental footprint which is mostly due to meat heavy diets. Research shows that which is quote “An area double the size of the UK is used to produce dry pet food for cats and dogs each year, a study shows“
The Traditional pet foods rely on industrial farming, which uses vast amounts of water, land, and energy. For context, producing meat based dog food can require up to 10 times more resources than plant-based alternatives.
Benefits of Eco-friendly practices
There are plenty of benefits of eco-friendly practices and people also share there view on reddit which says i quote “it is better to switch from traditional options to eco-friendly like locally sourced organic or partially plant based foods. So, the benefits include:
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- Feeding dogs 50% plant based could reduce land use for pet food by a significant margin.
- These foods often use human grade ingredients which simply meaning better nutrition for your dog with fewer fillers
Best Eco-friendly Brands to buy
As i am also a dog parenst i used these brands and find them very good for my dogs and these brands are also suggested by ecocart.io. l also think these brands can help you in yoyr journey from tradional dog care parents to eco-friendly dog care parents.
- Open Farm: They basically uses ethically dog meats which sourced from regenerative farms as well as reducing soil erosion and carbon emissions. It is basically USA based brand and has around 11 stores in New York.
- Stella & Chewy’s: They came up with very unique idea of freeze dried raw options with grass fed proteins which minimizing processing energy. (here is my refrel coad you can get up to 15% on your purchase so do check out
- The Farmer’s Dog: It is famous for his custom fresh meals with locally sourced veggies and meats and the cutting transportation emissions.
- V-Dog or Wild Earth: These boths are online store and brands. The common thing between them is that, they offer plant based diet which is AAFCO approved for complete nutrition and ideal for reducing meats impacts on enviroment.
Pro Tips On How Much You Should Buy
- Try to buy in bulk so that it helps to reduce packaging waste
- Before Buying please do count calories to avoid overfeeding because extra food means extra emissions.
- Last but not the least, always do consult your vet before changing diets to ensure it suits your dog’s needs
Step 02 : Eco-Friendly Growming Care And Tips
If you are dog parents you better knwo this like Grooming is not an easy task and spcially in this scanrio where you are transitiing from tradiotional dog parents to eco friendly dog parents so the grwoming does not have to involve harsh chemicals that harm waterways and make water undrinkable. As per the reports of StudyFind website the Conventional shampoos and flea treatments can release toxins which contributing to pollution in rivers and oceans
So what are the options left you might thinking here i came up with solutions which are natural alternatives made from plant based ingredients. For example, use oatmeal or aloe vera shampoos that are biodegradable and free from parabens. Benefits? They soothe skin without irritating, and they break down harmlessly in the environment
Growing Tips
- Bathe less often (every 4 6 weeks) to save water becasue dogs don’t need daily washes like us.
- Use reusable microfiber towels instead of paper ones.
- For flea control, try essential oil blends like neem or lavender, which are effective and eco-safe when diluted properly
here are few certified eco-friendly dog care brands for growming Brands like Earthbath or Kin+Kind offer certified organic grooming products that are cruelty-free and packaged in recycled materials.
HERE IS DOWNLOADBLE FILE OF RESEARCH PAPER IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT ENVIROMENTAL CRICES BY DOG AND HOW YOU CAN TACKLE THIS ISSUE. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Step 03 : Green Toys and Accessories
Being Dog parent is such a bless thing when no one is around you but your dogs is always with you. So the time when you enjoy there comp you enjoys is there playing time and dogs love to play, but plastic toys contribute to the 300 million tons of plastic produced yearly, much of which ends up in landfills. Eco-friendly toys use sustainable materials like natural rubber, hemp, or recycled fabrics, lasting longer and reducing replacements
Benefits
These toys are non-toxic, gentler on teeth, and biodegradable some break down in months instead of centuries. Durable options mean less waste; for instance, well-made toys can cut your buying frequency by half
Top picks
Below is the list of brands that provide eco friendly products and this information has been sourced by herohero.com you can check there website for more detail information so you can easily choice your eco friendly patner brand in this journey
- West Paw: This is brand that operated in Bozeman, Montana, USA since 1996. who are eco-friendly in materials and manufacturing choices they basically make Recycled plastic or natural rubber toys, machine washable.
- Cycle Dog: This brand offer verities of products like Eco-rubber balls from recycled materials.
- Hemp or Felt Toys from Friendsheep: This brand is worldwide famous for theire commitment towards earth as they say “We care for the Earth, children, animals, nature, ocean, equality, people” they provide Biodegradable, handmade, and fairtrade.
- P.L.A.Y.: Stuffed with recycled bottle filler
Note: For beds and leashes, choose organic cotton or bamboo—washable and long-lasting to minimize your eco impact.
Step 04 : Waste Management
While writting this article i came through reddit that said “Dog waste is a major polluter in the US, dogs produce about 10 million tons of poop annually which can contaminate water if not handled right. Plastic bags take 500+ years to degrade, releasing microplastics” This is very alarming situation for our planenet.
Dog parents should switch to compostable or biodegradable bags. Compostable ones break down in weeks to months in proper facilities diverting waste from landfills and reducing methane emissions. but the “biodegradable dog waste” labels can be misleading and they often need specific conditions and may not fully decompose in landfills which still releasing some pollutants
Better Options
- Always use home compostable bags that are available on the store of AlphaPet or Pet Impact this helps in for backyard composting which turn waste into nutrient-rich soil.
- And yes also avoid flushing unless your system allows it, as it can overload sewers.
Pro Tips
here is blog regarding this topic on fourpaws.com website which tell Walk or bike to parks instead of driving, cutting emissions by up to 20% weekly. you can get many other tips from them as well.
Step 05 : Always Prefer Eco-Friendly Madicine And Remedies
On the journey of becoming eco friendly dog parents you have to make sure not to Overuse of synthetic meds because it contributes to chemical runoff. Always Focus on prevention with natural remedies like turmeric for joints or probiotics for gut health backed by studies showing they improve immunity without side effects. here is the detailed blog published on studyfind.org which dicuss this issue in deapth.
Pro Tips
It is your responsibilty to choose holistic vets who prioritize minimal interventions. For example, Spay or neuter to control pet populations, reducing stray impacts on wildlife.
Step 06 : Eco Conscious Exercise and Lifestyle
In this journey this is the last step which is regarding the your dog lifestle and his exercise. As per the report published in the guardian website “Outdoor time is essential, but free roaming dogs can disturb wildlife. Use leashes in sensitive areas and opt for eco parks. DIY toys from upcycled items like old socks cut waste”. At the end people shoukld adopt pets specially dogs from from shelters because it saves lives and reduces breedings resource use.
Does And Donts
Here is table below which educate you what you should do and what you should avoid.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Choose sustainable dog food (organic, locally sourced, or partially plant based) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. | Avoid meat-heavy diets that rely on resource-intensive industrial farming. |
| Buy pet food in bulk to minimize packaging waste. | Don’t overfeed your dog, as excess food increases environmental impact. |
| Use plant based, biodegradable shampoos (for example oatmeal or aloe vera) for grooming. | Avoid chemical heavy shampoos that pollute waterways. |
| Bathe dogs every 4 to 6 weeks to conserve water. | Don’t wash dogs daily unless necessary, as it wastes water. |
| Use reusable microfiber towels for drying after baths. | Avoid disposable paper towels for grooming. |
| Opt for natural flea treatments like diluted neem or lavender oil. | Don’t use synthetic flea treatments that contribute to water pollution. |
| Choose eco friendly toys made from natural rubber, hemp, or recycled materials. | Avoid plastic toys that contribute to landfill waste and microplastics. |
| Select durable toys to reduce replacement frequency. | Don’t buy cheap, non-durable toys that quickly end up in landfills. |
| Use beds and leashes made from organic cotton or bamboo. | Avoid synthetic accessories that aren’t biodegradable. |
| Use compostable or biodegradable poop bags for waste management. | Don’t use regular plastic bags, which take 500+ years to decompose. |
| Compost dog waste at home with proper compostable bags to enrich soil. | Don’t flush dog waste unless your sewer system allows, as it can overload treatment plants. |
| Walk or bike to dog parks to reduce carbon emissions. | Avoid driving short distances for dog walks when possible. |
| Use natural remedies like turmeric or probiotics for dog health to minimize chemical use. | Don’t overuse synthetic medications that contribute to environmental runoff. |
| Choose holistic vets who focus on minimal interventions for sustainable care. | Avoid unnecessary treatments that increase chemical waste. |
| Spay or neuter your dog to reduce stray populations and environmental strain. | Don’t support unregulated breeding, which increases resource use. |
| Keep dogs on leashes in wildlife-sensitive areas to protect ecosystems. | Don’t let dogs roam freely where they can disturb wildlife. |
| Make DIY toys from upcycled items like old socks to reduce waste. | Don’t discard usable household items that could be repurposed for play. |
| Adopt dogs from shelters to save lives and reduce breeding impacts. | Avoid buying from breeders who prioritize profit over sustainability. |
Conclusion
In this journey of becoming the Eco-friendly dog parents here were simple 6 step by following those steps you will noy just become your dog bestfriend but you can save the planent. Eco-friendly dog care is about loving your pet in a way that sustains the world they romp in. By implementing these tips, you can reduce your dog’s footprint while enhancing their quality of life. Always start from small like swap one product this week, like food or bags. Your dog will thank you with extra cuddles, and the planet will too. For more tips, explore sustainable brands and share your experiences in the comments!