Our puppies and kitties are our surrogate children, and pet owners love them like family. In this day and age, you can choose to be an eco-friendly owner by adopting pets from animal shelter care rather than breeding or buying them. While there are various benefits to living with companion animals, such as stress relief and enhanced health and lifespan, there are also some drawbacks. One of the more pressing issues is sustainability. Unfortunately, companion animals are not often the most environmentally conscious family members. 

Pets are wonderful; they alleviate tension and loneliness in many people, especially in the last year or two with irregular lockdowns and working from home. Pets may bring us joy, but recent research shows that they have a surprisingly substantial environmental impact. However, in an increasingly changing world when it comes to climate, there is a lot to think about when it comes to an animal's ecological paw print. Fortunately, a few simple, long-term habits may assist anybody in becoming a more ecologically conscientious pet owner.

1. Eco-friendly food 

Consider producing your own pet food in collaboration with your veterinarian. It is critical that you consult with your veterinarian about this to verify that your recipes will suit your pet’s nutritional demands.

• If you like to eat professionally prepared food, choose one that is more environmentally friendly. Organic options are excellent since they employ items and techniques that are kind to the environment. 
• Finding ecologically responsible pet food alternatives can be difficult depending on the pet, especially because many pet food options are animal-based, which has a more significant environmental impact than plant-based diets. Switch for a homemade food menu for your pet.

1. Eco-friendly waste removal 

Have you ever considered how much debris your adorable dog or kitten generates? Here are tips for you on how to take care of pet poo and save our planet.

• Use biodegradable, compostable, or water-soluble waste bags to dispose of canine poo, allowing the waste to break down naturally. Of course, flushing dog faeces down the toilet without the bag is the easiest method to dispose of it.
• Use eco-friendly litter or prepare your own when dealing with cat excrement. One method is to shred newspaper and then soak it in water and dish soap. Drain it, rinse it, and then sprinkle it with baking soda. Allow it to dry before lining your litter box. You might also try filling the litter box with sand and adding baking soda to absorb odours. The sand will lump and make it easier to dispose of the garbage.

1. Eco-friendly toys

To limit your environmental effect, search for eco-friendly, long-lasting toys produced from recycled or sustainable materials. Alternatively, making the toys is an even better choice. It's a great way to use up bits of yarn or fabric, old T-shirts, and other stuff you'd otherwise discard.

• Wash old toys instead of tossing them away whenever possible. Instead of recycling a plastic water bottle, try wrapping it in an old cloth and reusing it. Braid the cloth around the bottle and tie the excess to produce a fun tug-of-war, fetch-and-chew toy.
• Make sure the cloth is wrapped firmly enough that your animal cannot gnaw through it to get to the plastic, and remove the cap first, so your animal does not choke on it. Consider buying fewer toys and reusing what you can.

1. Buy in bulk when it comes to pet food and other essentials.

Pay attention to the materials used in packaging, and aim to choose items packed in recycled or recyclable materials. Instead of using plastic bags, store food and snacks in reusable containers. This decreases the number of trips to the shop and the quantity of packaging you contribute to the garbage. 

1. Use eco-friendly shampoo and grooming products

We need to take care of their skin, coat, and overall well-being by being mindful of the ingredients we use to bathe them. There are many products on the market that are manufactured from plant-based, natural, or sustainably generated components. Opt to refill instead of purchasing new containers and help Mama earth get squeaky clean too.

1. Be wary of harmful flea and tick repellents

Take precautions against fleas and ticks. Avoid chemical-based repellents. Bathe and clean your pet on a regular basis, and use a fine-toothed comb to eradicate fleas from its coat. Wash its bedding in hot water, wipe down surfaces periodically, and vacuum the floor and other soft furniture on a regular basis, emptying and discarding the contents.

1. Feed your dog safely

Stainless steel is the ideal option since it is nonporous, simple to disinfect in the dishwasher, rust-resistant, and does not leak chemicals.

1. Save a tree by becoming paperless

Encourage your veterinarian's staff to provide treatment plans and bills by email rather than printing them. They may even be able to use digital payment technologies.