During the Stay in Place, pet adoptions (mostly virtual) have reached an all-time high, bringing much relief to overcrowded shelters. By taking an “adopt don’t shop” stance and bringing home an animal already in existence, you are being sustainable from the get-go. Taking the next step and spaying or neutering your pet reduces unwanted offspring and keeps pet populations in check. Take it one step further and reduce your furry companion’s carbon paw print by adopting one or two behaviors below!
Eco-Friendly Cat Litter
We may not be able to completely control the toilet practices of outdoor or feral cats, which produce waste that can contaminate groundwater, but we can do something about how we dispose of waste from indoor cats. Most cat litter is not biodegradable. The bentonite clay in it, which facilitates clumping, is obtained through invasive and environmentally impactful strip mining. Fortunately, there are biodegradable cat litter alternatives such as wood shavings, grass seed, newspaper, coconut, wheat, and pine cobble. Check out GREENER CAT LITTER OPTIONS and GREENER METHODS OF DISPOSING CAT LITTER.
What About Flushing Poop?
For some, the jury is still out on whether you should flush cat litter or dog poop. But mixing cat litter with water creates a blocky cement mixture that is definitely risky to plumbing. Like those nefarious “flushable toilet wipes,” so-called biodegradable poop bags can clog sewer pipes. Even if it could pass through, cat poop is tough to process because it often carries parasites with spores that can bypass wastewater treatment plants and go directly into open bodies of water where it wreaks havoc on aquatic life, especially sea otters. Check out page 4 and 5 on PET WASTE from a Central Contra Costa Sanitary District newsletter.
Is Pet Poop Compostable?
Many people wonder if dog poop is compostable. Technically it is, but only if you take extra precautions by heating your compost to over 145 degrees. It’s important to know that dog waste is high in protein (therefore highly acidic), full of “bad bacteria,” and maybe even parasitic, none of which is good for the edibles in your garden, not to mention human consumption. Your friendly waste management service does NOT want you to mix pet waste in with your yard waste bin, where it'll wind up in municipal compost, so it’s better to collect pet poop in plastic bags and put it into your regular trash bin bound for landfill. It sounds unsustainable, but for now it’s the best, safest solution out there. Here’s a good overview of dog waste disposal from Zero Waste Pet.
Eco-Friendly Flea and Tick Treatment
We want to keep our pets flea and tick-free, not just for their own well being but for the health of all members of the family, especially children. Many flea & tick collars are full of toxic chemicals that may kill off bugs effectively but at the cost of irritating skin and respiratory tracts (in both humans and pets). Plus, can you imagine having a toxic, strong-smelling collar around your neck, especially if your sense of smell were as sensitive as a dog’s?
Companies like Wondercide (see this) use biodegradable, cruelty-free, naturally derived ingredients to kill and repel pests, but there are recipes for non-toxic flea and tick repellant you can make on your own. Check DIY natural tick remedies.
Fleas do not like strong odors like lavender, peppermint, and citrus, however, many essential oils are contraindicated for cats because they can’t metabolize them, so be sure to do your research. HERE'S A START. Some people have excellent results by putting rosemary oil at the base of their dog’s neck to naturally prevent or repel (though not get rid of) fleas. Visit "10 Ways to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally."
Bath Time and Play Time
When purchasing toiletries for your pet, be sure to scan labels and lists of ingredients, just as you would for your own items. You might choose shampoo that is free of palm oil (which is responsible for deforestation and destruction of orangutan habitat) or toys that biodegrade naturally after your pet has destroyed them. Some pet toys nowadays are even compostable (e.g. made of hemp or bamboo) and are not dangerous if ingested. You want to avoid toys that you and your children can’t help but come into contact with (e.g. plastic toys made with BPA). Avoid rawhide bones. The splinters are major choking hazards and they are processed with a lot of chemicals. One safe and healthier chewing alternative is antlers.
Something Extra: Pet Treats
With all the baking we’re doing at home now, why not whip up a batch of dog treats for your fur baby? Here are some non-toxic dog treat recipes. Raisins, onion, and chocolate are toxic to felines. Here are some safe kitty treat recipes.
Depending on your level of determination to reduce your pet’s carbon paw print, there are all sorts of green pet supplies available. For more on eco-friendly pet product companies, sources of organic GMO-free pet food, and recycled supplies, visit THIS LINK.
Photo by Anusha Barwa on Unsplash
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