Earth Day is this week, and people everywhere are choosing to find more planet-healthy alternatives to their everyday products. For pet owners, there are many ways to make a significant eco-friendly difference going forward. It all begins with knowing which products cause the most harm to our planet.
Here is my top 5 list of worst-offending environmental pet products:
Poop Clean-up Bags
Number one on our worst offenders list. Whether it’s a grocery bag, or a pet-specific poop bag, plastic bags can take up to one thousand years to decompose – yikes! As a result, millions of tonnes of pet feces wind up in landfills every year and sit there for ages. Thankfully, there are forward-thinking companies like Earth Rated who manufacture biodegradable and compostable bags from vegetable starch.
Cat Litter
Clay-based cat litters are the most common litter box substrates. Unfortunately, they are also the most damaging to the environment. Clay is obtained by means of strip-mining, which is a highly intrusive process to its surroundings. There are many non-clay-based litters on the market these days, many of which are impressively eco-friendly. Alternative litters are made from renewable sources like wheat and corn, and recycled materials like paper and wood. Certain industry-leading cat litter manufacturers, like OKOKAT, source their wood from reclaimed timber, and only use recycled paper. Many of these alternative litters clump just as well as their clay-based counterparts, and some even have superior odour control.
Pet Food Ingredients
Many pet owners do not consider the environmental impact of the ingredients used in the pet foods they purchase. Beef is ten times more damaging to the environment than pork or chicken. Eco-conscious pet owners the world over are ditching red meats in favour of poultry – and believe it or not, crickets. Crickets are consumed by 80% of the Earth’s human population, and they are now making their way into pet foods and treats. Aside from being nutritional powerhouses, crickets are twelve times more efficient than beef in turning feed to consumable meat, and four times more efficient than pork.
I’m not suggesting all pet owners ditch their pet’s current food in favour of a cricket-exclusive diet, however knowing the negative environmental impact of different meats is important.
Pet Food Ingredient Sourcing
Another consideration with regards to pet food ingredients is sourcing. Many ingredients are transported over great distances to reach their destination, often from the other side of the globe. The further an ingredient has to travel, the greater the environmental impact. Pet owners should consider supporting domestic brands that use locally-sourced, fresh ingredients. Local sourcing is a growing trend in the pet food industry, with Canadian brands like Orijen and Acana leading the charge. These brands will only source fresh, sustainable ingredients from within 100 kilometres of their manufacturing facilities.
Pet Grooming Liquids
With pet grooming products, such as shampoo and conditioner, the greatest environmental risk is the release of chemicals into the water supply. The ingredients in pet shampoos go directly down the drain and into the water system with each bath. Many chemicals used in pet shampoos are harmful to the environment, particularly Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a detergent used in many cosmetics that is toxic to aquatic animals. Pet owners would be wise to consider a high-quality pet shampoo made from all-natural ingredients like coconut oil and safe essential oils.
There are many ways in which our conscious choices can reduce harm to our planet. A well-informed consumer is one who has the power to make real change – not just for now, but for future generations to come.
Brandon Forder – also known as The Pet Expert – is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, a family-owned and -operated business located in Meaford. He has over twenty years’ experience specializing in pet nutrition, behaviour, and healthy pet lifestyles. Canadian Pet Connection is an industry leader committed to providing their clients with the highest levels of personal, attentive service. Learn more at www.CanadianPetConnection.com.
