Oreo gives this post "two claws up"
Reducing the carbon footprint of your pet, or as I titled this post, “carbon pawprint”, I admit, sounds a little “ruff”. After all, Americans love their pets and a trip to any pet supply store is a testament to just how big this business has gotten.
It is not that much of a stretch when you think about it. While your pet may make your life easier, pets also impact the planet in a negative way. The days of believing pet waste is fertilizer are long gone. Now, considered a major polluter of groundwater, responsible pet owners are called to get the scoop on poop.
Here are my tips for reducing your carbon pawprint:
- Buy quality pet food from a US plant (my pets are on Nutro)
- Clean up after your pet with recycled plastic or corn based bags
- Eliminate treats made with corn sugar or even try making your own
- Eliminate all pet foods and treats that contain food digest or meat by products
- No compost pile: no problem. Dogs are omnivores and they will eat your leftover including vegetables and fruits
- Use clay free kitty litter
- Recycle pet food packaging
- Use metal or ceramic pet food dishes
- Give your pet toys that are home made or at least made from natural materials
- Pay attention to ingredients on shampoos and flea and tick treatments
- Go organic on lawn care, when pets lick their feet they are licking off lawn chemicals
- Spay or neuter your pet
- Microchip your pet so that if they get lost, they won’t take up days at a shelter
I realize this post doesn’t have much to do with real estate but pets are part of our home and our lifestyle. I hope this blog post gives you “paws”.
