Dogs have been domesticated animals alongside us for millennia. Their lifestyle has evolved over time, often adapting, sometimes unwittingly, to our rhythm and our way of living. Their environmental impact is intimately linked to ours and is thus our responsibility. So let’s learn to live sustainably with our companions! What eco-friendly habits should you adopt when you have a dog?
Taking care of a dog also means being environmentally responsible
#1- Adopt a dog
Many people do not see their dogs through to the end of their lives and abandon them. Whether they truly could not do otherwise for various reasons or simply left them by the roadside, the facts are there and many dogs have no homes.
Take your time if needed, and open a shelter cage to give a new and beautiful life to a dog who asked for nothing.
#2 Limit your trips
Car travel is among the biggest producers of greenhouse gases. Thinking through your dog-related trips therefore makes a lot of sense.
So choose a veterinarian near you, aim for walks starting from home to avoid having to take your vehicle, and anticipate your food needs so you don’t have to go buy it “on purpose.”
#3 Think about your dog’s toys
If any responsible owner truly wants to make sure their dog feels as happy as possible, it’s important to note that this isn’t about how much you spend on a toy. We all know that young children often prefer the wrapping paper to the gift inside; tell yourself the same goes for your dog!
An old T-shirt you tie into knots or a piece of wood, even small so it doesn’t go flying around, will yield the same result as store-bought toys that, in turn, travel the globe in containers.
You can also buy second-hand toys at flea markets or on specialized platforms.
#4 Think about its diet
Your dog’s diet is undoubtedly the area with the heaviest environmental footprint. Feeding your dog uses agricultural land and water resources, but also, depending on production methods, products we would rather not see used.
Consider new foods, notably those based on insect flour or organic farming products; it isn’t necessarily more expensive and it can also help ensure better health for your dog, which will save you on veterinary costs!
#5 Use biodegradable poop bags
To pick up your dog’s waste in urban settings, prefer biodegradable dog waste bags over the traditional plastic trash bags we have to dispose of.
#6 Spay or neuter your dog
There is no cruelty in spaying or neutering your dog, it’s, on the contrary, a real act of responsibility regarding a sustainable development.
If you still want to have puppies, it’s a remarkable family experience, but you’ll need to take them on!
#7 Protect biodiversity from dogs
A dog’s instinct to hunt is very real. Even if well trained, it should be kept on a leash in nature to prevent it from threatening anything it encounters.
