Sustainable pet care 101 (with an eco-friendly pet product guide)
In a zero-waste Facebook group the other day, I saw someone comment on a post about how pets really aren’t that sustainable. They shared a whole list of reasons as to why they came to that conclusion, but it got my wheels turning.
Is owning pets really sustainable? It’s something humans have done forever, but with all the gear they need, the food they eat (lots of meat), and their waste (can it be composted?), is it something we need to think about on our eco-minimalist journey?
In this guide, I explore all things sustainable pet care, including the answers to questions ranging from if owning a pet is sustainable, to “what’s the best eco-friendly cat litter”(yes, I have an answer). I’ve also done a ton of research to share some of the best eco-friendly pet products I could find to save you time and mental energy!
Let’s dive in.
Related post: Eco minimalism 101: The What, Why, and How
Reduce, Reuse, Renew is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which helps keeps resource guides like this free, and comes at no additional cost to you. Thanks!”
Is owning a pet sustainable?
Have you ever thought about the answer to this question? At first glance, pets can create a lot of waste, and may even seem to NOT be sustainable. Many animals require eating exclusively or mostly a meat diet. Their poop isn’t easily compostable, leaving much of it to end up rotting in a landfill. Oh, and the pet clothing industry? Yeah, globally, we spent over 5 BILLION dollars. For clothing. For our pets. Sustainable pet care? I think not.
That all being said, don’t think I’m super anti-pet. I’ve had cats, gerbils, fish, and birds throughout my life. Currently? I own three cats.
Why is that the case if they seem to be not the most sustainable option for someone trying to live with as least waste as possible?
Pets provide a lot of other benefits that can contribute to our lives being sustainable (mental health being a big one). I’m sure if you own pets, you already know how they contribute in a positive way to your life, so I won’t go into detail here.
TLDR: pets definitely can contribute to extra waste in our lives, but if done with intentionality (like all things), there are ways you can combine your eco-minimalist values and provide sustainable pet care.
Related post: Sustainable self-care: 7 ways to fill up your cup in an eco-friendly way
How can pets be sustainable?
Here are some ways that you can balance pet ownership and your eco-minimalist values for ultimate sustainable pet care. Like all things in this lifestyle, it’s important to start slow! Take one thing at a time, use things up and replace as needed….you know the drill.
If and when you are in the market to buy pet supplies, I share specific resources that are eco-friendly and ethically made in the second half of this post.
Don’t overbuy
Remember how I mentioned we spend over five billion dollars globally just on pet clothes? The pet industry is HUGE, and considering consumption is a huge reason we are where we are in the climate crisis, it only makes sense to not only reduce buying items in all areas that we can, including for our pets.
I get it, I’m guilty of wanting to buy my pets adorable little booties and vests and Christmas wear, but I also know it’s not necessary, and that there’s a 10% chance they’ll actually wear it.
I’m not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t buy – instead just be mindful! Buy secondhand if there is absolutely something you want or need. Or, check your local Buy Nothing Group/Nextdoor/Facebook B/S/T group.
Remember, overall, less stuff = less clutter, and we’re all about reducing the number of items in our home here.
Related post: Minimalism and Zero Waste Living Can Help with Anxiety: Here’s How
Shop secondhand
If and when you DO have to obtain new pet supplies, shopping secondhand for things other than food or litter (just two examples) is a great way to reduce your pet’s footprint. Check local thrift shops, Buy Nothing Groups, Facebook Marketplace, or even just by asking friends and family.
My husband and I were looking to try out a leash for our cat but didn’t want to buy something if he would hate it. So, we asked our friends and family on Facebook, and got multiple responses!
Get regular pet checkups
Like humans, providing preventative care is often more sustainable than having to be reactionary. Giving your pets their regular checkup, medications (flea and tick, for example), and other preventative care can help keep your pets more ‘green’ (not to mention healthy!)
Feed only what’s recommended
Many of us overfeed our pets, according to our vets. By following the feeding instructions on the food containers, and talking with your vet about what and how much you should be feeding your pet, you can potentially reduce the amount of food you need to buy. This saves money, reduces resources, and keeps your pets healthy!
One thing that has helped our family is to purchase an automatic feeder. This helps us measure exactly the amount of food our cats need each day. Additionally, we’re able to set up various times throughout the day that the machine distributes a little bit of food automatically. It’s super helpful to ensure we’re not overfeeding, and also keeps our three beasts cats happy because they’re getting a little bit of food throughout the day.
Buy what you can in bulk
Pet treats, litter, and sometimes even food can be found in bulk at pet stores. For example, some Petcos have cat litter in bulk, so you can bring your own container and fill up.
Pet treats are another thing you can sometimes find plastic/package free. In Minnesota, we have a store called Chuck and Don’s (not sure how wide-spread they are), but they sell a number of treats package free. It’s definitely worth checking around to local pet-food stores or even chain options to see if yours does too.
Another option is to buy treats made by a local maker. You can try and find someone by posting an ISO post in your community page on Facebook or Nextdoor, ask neighbors, or Etsy. Additionally, local craft/art shows/farmer’s markets may have options as well.
Buy the biggest size you can
Bulk not an option for you? No worries. One way to reduce waste is to buy the biggest package of an item that you can (this goes for any packaging, really). Not only is this usually more economical in the long run, but a bigger package provides more opportunities for reuse.
For example, we buy the biggest bag of cat food that we can, and reuse the bag for the cat litter later on, or we use it as a trash bag for the bathroom.
Upcycle to make your own
There are some pet items you can make yourself! Here are just some of the options:
-
Food: with the help of a vet and pet nutritionist, you sometimes can make your own food. Please consult with a professional on this, because doing so on your own can cause your pet to fall ill due to lack of nutrition
-
Pet treats: there are tons of recipes on Pinterest or Ecosia! It can be a fun activity for a rainy day, or to do with kids
-
Toys: upcycle old shirts/sweaters or other items and make a fun toy for your pets. Pinterest and Ecosia is your friend for this one as well
-
Pet bed: Old pillows can be a great option for a pet bed! Or, make your own out of an old towel or blanket, and stuff it with textiles that are no longer usable.
- Grow your own: I grow cat grass and catnip for our kitties, and they love it! It’s fun and easy (bonus: bees LOVE cat nip flowers).
Focus on progress, not perfection
As with all eco-minimalist ways, this is a marathon, not a sprint! Making these swaps can and should (in my opinion) take time.
- It may take some trial and error to find products that work for you and your pet
- You want to make sure that you use up all the items you currently have so they don’t go to waste. As you start to run out of something, research alternatives so you’re ready to go
- Sometimes swaps can be more expensive. Hopefully by following some of the tips above you can save a little money, but if you are on a budget, no worries! Pick one or two things that you want to switch and if you can, go from there. And if you can’t? Focus your efforts in an area that you can change.
Terracycle Pet Food Packaging Programs
Part of owning a pet comes waste from pet food. Unless you work with a vet or pet nutritionist to DIY your own food, you likely come home with a bag of food, litter, or other containers.
Fortunately, if you are hoping to recycle that packaging, Terracycle does offer some programs where they’ve partnered with certain pet food brands to accept their packaging to recycle. Many are free, but there are a handful of options that do cost money.
There is also an option for buying a large box for pet food packaging AND all other pet supplies (non-food). These do cost money, but may be worth checking with your vet, a local pet store, or friends/neighbors to raise funds and buy one.
Eco-friendly pet product guide
Now that we’ve gone through some general tips on how to incorporate sustainable pet care into your life, let’s take a look at some specific eco-friendly pet products.
Bonus: For all EarthHero items, you can use discount code ‘LAURA10‘ at checkout.
The fine print: applies sitewide with the exception of any products from Naturepedic, TerraCycle, Zeal Optics, Gift Cards, or sale items. The code is valid for first-time EarthHero customers (i.e. 1 usage per customer) and can not be used with any other code and expires 1/31/2024 at 11:59 pm MST.
First, I’ll share my recommendations based on what I use for my three cats, followed by some different pet supply options from ethical and sustainable small businesses.
My recommendations (eco-friendly pet products we use daily)
- Zero waste lint brush
- Cat toys: small wool balls
- Cat toys: sushi toy
- Lead free ceramic food/water bowl
- Cat grass garden in a bag (catnip) or Catnip seeds
- Cat cave
- Best eco-friendly cat litter: Walnut cat litter (we’ve tried MANY eco-friendly cat litters, and found this one to work best for our three cats)
- Best eco-friendly litter box: we found a brand new litterbox secondhand!
Zero Waste Dog Eco-Friendly Pet Product Guide
Eco-friendly dog bed
- Large dog bed
- Round dog bed
- Small dog bed
- Adorable, fun, colorful pet bed
- Eco-friendly pet bed (made with sustainable wool)
Eco-friendly dog toys
- Natural rubber dog treat ball
- Hemp ball dog toy
- Eco-friendly tennis balls
- Tug toy
- Squeeky bone
- Plastic-free frisbee, or this “tough” frisbee made from recycled plastic
- Rope toy for heavy chewers
- Floating water dog toy
- Elk antler
Other options include finding old tennis balls out and about in your community, bunching up or braiding old textiles, toilet paper tubes, or coconut hulls (for those who live in a tropical climate).
Another popular suggestion I see often is West Paw Dog Toys. These toys are made with recycled materials, and the company will take back dog toys that have reached the end of their life.
Eco-friendly dog food
- Collapsable travel water bowl made with recycled materials
- Calming aid chews
- Slow down dog food bowl
- Organic, free-range raw dog food
- Food/water bamboo dish
- Silicone can topper
- Organix all natural, certified organic, free-range cat and dog food
Eco-friendly dog treats
- Make your own
- Find treats that are made with more sustainable ingredients, like these that are made with crickets!
- Dental sticks (or these upcycled dental sticks that help reduce food waste)
- Natural rubber dog treat ball
- A pocket stasher bag for treats
- Freeze-dried rabbit treats
- Freeze-dried chicken heart treats
Eco-friendly waste items
- Eco-friendly puppy pads
- Bamboo poop bag dispenser or this dog bag holder
- Compostable dog poop bags (or reuse plastic bags)
- Pet dog poo composter or this in-ground dog waste system or DIY your own system
Eco-friendly dog collars and leashes
- Recycled polyester dog collar
- Recycled polyester dog harness
- Hemp 6ft leash or a hemp clicker leash
- Infinity dog leash
- Eco friendly wooden tag
Eco-friendly dog grooming products
- A shampoo bar for dogs!
- Organic toothpaste
- Bamboo toothbrush (you can just use a human one)
- Bamboo dog brush
- Dog ear cleaner
- Rinseless dog shampoo
Eco-friendly health and wellness products for dogs
- Paw soothing balm
- Calming spray
- Dog muscle and joint relief (contact your vet before using any type of oils on your pet)
- Supplements and natural remedies
- Electric flea trap
- Natural flea spray (contact your vet before using any type of oils on your pet)
Eco-friendly dog gear
- Insulated dog jacket made from recycled materials
- Organic wool dog hat
- Rain jacket made with recycled polyester
- Rain/snow boots (large) or Medium or Small or X-Small or XX-Small
- Cold weather poncho
- Travel mat
Eco-friendly products to clean up dog messes
Other
- Eco friendly dog product gift box!
- Know someone who is getting a puppy? Here is a new puppy eco-friendly starter kit!
Zero Waste Cat Eco-Friendly Pet Product Guide
Eco-friendly cat beds
- Cat cave
- Adorable, fun, colorful pet bed
- Eco-friendly pet bed (made with sustainable wool)
- Recycled Sari cat bed
- Cat compression box bed
Eco-friendly cat toys
- Eco-pouncer mouse cat toy
- Felt fish with feathers
- Interactive cat toy
- Cardboard/paper cat scratch
- Cat toys: small wool balls
Cat toys: sushi toy
Eco-friendly cat treats
- A pocket stasher bag for treats
- Freeze-dried rabbit treats
- Cat grass garden in a bag (catnip) or Catnip seeds
- Freeze-dried chicken heart treats
Eco-friendly cat food
- Calming chews
- Slow down cat food bowl
- Upcycled cat treats (that help reduce food waste)
- Food/water bamboo dish
- Silicone can topper
- Organix all natural, certified organic, free-range cat and dog food
Eco-friendly cat litter
- Yesterday’s News cat litter is a popular option (seems to work best for people with 1 cat)
- Pine shavings
- Walnut cat litter
- Some pet stores have clay litter that you can buy in bulk (bring your own container)
Eco-friendly litter box
- Stainless steel box and scoop
- Secondhand litter box or scoop
- Cat poop bags
For more information on how to dispose of cat litter in an eco-friendly way, check out this post.
Eco-friendly cat collars and leashes
- Hemp cat collar
- Corduroy leash
- Eco friendly wooden tag
Eco-friendly cat grooming products
Eco-friendly health and wellness products for cats
Products for cat messes
General eco-friendly pet products (not pet specific)
- Eco-friendly lint roller
- Urn
- Pet memory garden kit
- Carpet refresher
- Air and fabric refresher (use code RRR25 for new customers or RRR15 for existing)
- No chew bitter spray
- Fresh scent pet candle
Other:
- An Eco-friendly fish care guide
General eco-friendly pet product brands
With a little planning and time, your pets can be living the sustainable pet life as much as you!
