How to Identify Sustainable Pet Supplies
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 14:30:00 PM America/Los_Angeles
The modern dog paw-rent wants nothing less than the best for their fur baby and the environment. Having a pet no longer means that you have to choose between providing your pup with everything they deserve and purchasing products that are harmful for the environment. But with all the options available on the market today, it can be difficult to know which items to pick. Here, we discuss some important ways to figure out whether or not a product is benefitting both you and the planet.
Photo by Patrick Hendry
Know the Terminology
The words on a package can tell you a lot about its contents, and we’re not talking about just the ingredients. Unfortunately, pet foods and supplies aren’t regulated in the same way as human-grade items so they may not have the official stamps of approval you might’ve come to expect from products intended for humans.
Look for certain words instead to tell you more about what the package holds: Non-GMO indicates foods made without genetically modified ingredients, farm details inform you of whether or not the product is local or domestic, and certified organic means that the food has been made with at least 95% organic ingredients.
Look for Eco-Friendly Materials
Whether it’s sustainable proteins or compostable poo bags, eco-friendly materials can go a long way when it comes to making responsible pet-related purchases. Treats made from animals raised on local and/or domestic farms can mean that humane practices and the use of less resources are baked into the product. You might also consider alternative proteins such as crickets, which don’t release as much greenhouse gasses in production.
For other goods traditionally made from plastic, look instead for those that use recycled materials or are compostable. Compostable items are a much more earth-friendly option than even its biodegradable counterparts, because they don’t leave microplastics behind as they break down.
Identify Pet-safe Cleaners and Repellents
Chances are, pet-safe cleaners and repellents are more likely to use natural ingredients rather than harsh chemicals. Natural products rely on the properties of its ingredients to perform the same function as its chemical counterparts.
For example, pet-safe urine and odor removers are made with enzymatic bacteria that naturally combat smells by feeding on odor causing bacteria. Pet-safe repellents similarly incorporate oils such as cedar oil, which is deadly for critters like fleas and ticks and therefore naturally repels them. Added bonus? Natural ingredients also do less harm to the environment once it enters pipes or runoff that drain into the water supply.
Bark Potty partners with 1% for the Planet to donate 1% of our sales to One Tree Planted. 1% for the Planet is a network of businesses that have committed to taking responsibility for the environmental impacts of their various industries. 1% for the Planet encourages businesses to practice corporate responsibility by facilitating donations to grassroots environmental organizations such as One Tree Planted. Each Bark Potty purchase you make further supports our collective efforts to reduce the ecological footprint that humans have left on the environment!