More than half of all Canadians share their homes with a non-human animal/pet. Pets are increasingly accepted as members of the family, and as essential companions for the maintenance of ones mental health and overall well-being.

We love our animal friends — and we want to care for them as best we can. But, is caring for a pet environmentally sustainable?

There a number of things we can consider in order to care for our animal companions well without having too much of a negative impact on local ecosystems.

It is difficult to answer this question objectively because animal caregivers love their animal companions dearly, and don’t want to feel like their love for their companions makes them culpable for environmental degradation. So, before anything I will note that throughout most or recorded human history, we have lived alongside animals and /or had animal companions. There is nothing inherently wrong with having a pet, but there are ways to do it that can cause less harm.

First and foremost, whatever animal you choose to share your home with, adopting is preferable to shopping. Puppy mills, purebred cat breeders, and small animal breeders do a lot of harm to animal species. There are plenty of animals in need of homes and proper care. Beyond the more obvious and oft noted ethical issues associated breeding animals, the environmental impact of indiscriminately increasing pet populations can also be significant. Breeding animals means bringing more animals into the world that require food, lodging, and enrichment.

By making small but important choices you can care for your animal companion without putting unnecessary strain on the environment.

Johanna Fraser

Once you have an animal companion, there are a number of small but meaningful choices you can make that can lower their environmental footprint.

Cats:

1. Use a biodegradable litter like SWheat Scoop or Yesterday’s News
2. Purchase food and treats in large bags rather than small packets (and in paper packaging if possible)
3. Purchase food made and packaged locally if possible to cut down on transportation emissions
4. Purchase toys and accessories that are made to last – tiny plastic balls and sparkly crinkle toys might be fun short term, but they end up in landfills quickly.
5. Keep cats indoors as much as possible to protect local wildlife – the impact that outdoor cats have on squirrel, chipmunk and bird populations is immense

Dogs:

1. Buy food made or packaged locally
2. Buy large bags of food and treats when possible
3. Buy toys and bedding made to last, and clean bedding often to help it last longer
4. Don’t leave dogs in yards unattended to protect local wildlife – dogs can scare off local wildlife, and prevent them from foraging in your garden or yard, or worse, can cause them injury or death
5. Use compostable dog waste bags and if possible in your area, compost dog waste (it is ideal to leave this to the professionals especially if you live in an urban area)

Small animals:

1. Use compostable bedding
2. Put waste in your home compost bin or, if available in your area, in your green bin
3. Purchase hay in bulk rather than in bags, if you have the space to store it.  Otherwise, buy the largest bag to cut down on plastic waste
4. Use fresh fruit and vegetables for treats rather than bagged treats

Caring for an animal companion can enhance your life and the life of an animal immensely. By making small but important choices like the ones above, you can care for your animal companion without putting unnecessary strain on the environment.