I read a shocking statistic dated 2007 that 200,000 tons of pet waste is sent to the landfills each year – in Canada alone. This includes things like cat and other pet litter, cage shavings, and dog doo. That’s a lot of pet waste. If you share your home with a dog, most of you likely use plastic grocery bags to pick up and dispose of their business. Don’t forget that plastic does not decompose – it’ll be in the landfills forever. There are (partially) biodegradable bags you can purchase that are a better choice. You could also invest in one of the backyard dog waste disposal systems or create your own backyard dog compost. Any of these options is a step towards reducing your dog’s impact on the environment.
Not only is Diane 'green' but her dogs are tree huggers too! Copyright © Diane M Schuller. All Rights Reserved. www.dianeschuller.com
Another step you could take is to reconsider what you feed your dog. Those of you who already feed your dog species-appropriate foods, whether cooked or raw, already are miles ahead in terms of reducing your pet’s footprint on the environment (not to mention how much better real food is for their overall wellness). Commercial foods, dry or wet, are loaded with preservatives; the grains (not suitable for dogs anyway) are grown using excess fertilizer, pesticides, and greenhouse gases expended in their harvesting & production; use excessive amounts of energy and synthetics in the processing; and are extremely wasteful in all the packaging utilized. For those who insist on feeding commercial foods, a move toward seeking out and feeding foods that are certified to be made with 100% organic products is a step in the right direction.
Another significant step you can take is to remove all the so-called ‘air fresheners’ and discontinue use of toxic cleaning products in the home (so much healthier for the humans in the household too). In a future post I will provide more specific ways of being green in your home if you have a dog or other household pet. For now, here is a link to an archive of one of my weekly columns on creating your own Eco-Clean Kit. All these toxic ‘air fresheners’, cleaning products, laundry additives, and the like end up down our drains, in the air we breathe, and against our skin. No wonder there are so many allergy and skin problems — pets or humans.
More eco-friendly tips for living green with your pet are coming soon to Dogs Naturally. Happy Earth Day!
[...] Earth Day is (also) for the Dogs. [...]
I would love to use a dog doo composter. I’ve tried it several times. But I have never found a system that will work in my heavy clay soil and 6 months per year of less than 40 degree weather. Temperatures like this stifle vermicomposting, also.
If anyone has any hints on this, I’d love to hear it.
http://patricedodd.wordpress.com/
As you know, Diane, I make my own dog food, chopping and processing veggies for my favourite girl. As soon as I take out the turnip, cabbage, squash and other vegetables to begin chopping, she positions herself with her nose to the edge of the kitchen floor (she’s not allowed in the kitchen without a special invite), watching my every move. She seems to recognize the different movements between ‘our’ food prep and ‘hers’.
I had the thought yesterday, as I watched her watch me…she knows what I am doing is all for her…does it make her feel especially loved?
I thinks she does.