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Sustainable Pet Parenting: How to Reduce Your Pet’s Environmental Pawprint

Living sustainably means making thoughtful choices to reduce our impact on the planet—but have you considered how your pet’s lifestyle fits into the picture? Many eco-conscious individuals focus on making greener choices for themselves, yet the environmental footprint of pet care, especially the pet food industry, is often overlooked. As responsible pet guardians, we have the power to make choices that support both our furry friends and the planet. Opting for vegan dog food or vegan cat food for your animal companion can significantly reduce their carbon pawprint while still providing them with complete and balanced nutrition. From choosing sustainable pet products to reducing waste, small changes can make a big difference. Here are some simple ways to be a more eco-friendly pet parent!  

1. Rethink Your Pet’s Diet


What is the Environmental Impact of Meat-Based Pet Food on the planet?

Traditional pet food production is very resource-intensive, with studies estimating that the pet food industry generates 64 million tonnes of CO₂ per year (Nature Research, 2020) - which is a staggering amount! To put it into perspective, if all the world’s cats and dogs were a country, they’d rank 5th in global meat consumption (UCLA, 2017).


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So what can we do to reduce our pet’s carbon pawprint?
After learning these statistics, the most impactful change we can make is switching our animal companions to plant-based alternatives! Dogs are natural omnivores, meaning they can easily and happily thrive on well-balanced plant-based dog foods.
In 2024, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) gave the green light to nutritionally sound vegan diets for dogs, settling a long-standing debate among the general public. With more plant-based pet food options available than ever, dogs now have plenty of choices, enabling them to find a vegan dog food that suits them best! Cats, as obligate carnivores, require specific nutrients like taurine and arachidonic acid—but these essential amino acids can be sourced from non-animal ingredients in fortified vegan cat foods.
While the BVA has yet to extend its approval to a vegan-friendly diet for cats (we think it’s only a matter of time!), we at VeggiePets.com have over 20 years of experience with plant-based cat food. 100’s and 100’s of our customers have successfully fed their feline companions a nutritionally complete, meat-free diet for years! This is longer than any scientific controlled study requires to yield a pet food safe.
Ultimately, feeding a plant-based diet follows the same principle as any complete pet food—if all essential nutrients are met, your pet can thrive, whether those nutrients come from animal or plant sources. For those who feel very strongly against a vegan diet for cats and dogs, this, unfortunately for them, is the less controversial and more boring reality of the matter!
Your pet adopting a nutritionally complete plant-based pet food avoids the excess waste and emissions of meat production while providing everything pets need to be happy and healthy.
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2. A Greener Way to Handle a Pet Mess & Playtime 

Eco-Friendly Cleanup! 

When it comes to your pet's business, pick biodegradable/compostable poop bags and eco-friendly cat litter. Standard plastic waste from pet care—like litter, poop bags, and packaging—adds to the 300 million tonnes of plastic waste produced each year (UN Environment Programme, 2021). Choosing compostable or biodegradable alternatives helps keep waste out of landfills! Selecting eco-friendly toys helps make your pet’s playtime more sustainable and better for the planet! Many pet toys are made from cheap plastics that eventually end up in landfills or the ocean. Instead, opt for durable, recycled, or natural-material toys to keep playtime fun for your furry one and the planet!



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  3. Reduce Waste & Buy Consciously


  Minimalist Packaging & Recyclable Pet Food Bags 
  Thankfully, many brands are moving towards recyclable or       compostable packaging. We understand how important this is to many of you, so we highlight this feature with a small icon on the product page of eligible items, making it easy to identify recyclable options. Buying dry pet food in bags of a larger size not only saves you money but also helps cut down on packaging waste. Smaller packages mean more plastic, cardboard, and other materials. By choosing bulk sizes, you reduce the number of bags used over time, decrease the need for multiple deliveries, and help lower your carbon footprint with fewer trips by the courier!
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4. Ethical Considerations Beyond Diet


Sustainability goes beyond cutting down carbon footprints—it's about making ethical choices. By opting for cruelty-free, plant-based products, we can support businesses that share our compassionate values. When we back brands that actively reduce animal testing, steer clear of factory farming, and champion plant-based nutrition for animals, we contribute to lasting change. Every penny spent is a vote for the values we believe in! While we've shared some ways to take steps toward a healthier planet, we want to emphasise that being a sustainable pet parent isn’t about perfection. It’s about making small, thoughtful changes that build up over time. Whether it’s switching to a plant-based diet, choosing eco-friendly toys, or reducing plastic waste, every step helps - and we can help you with options in all these areas! Want to switch your cat or dog to a more sustainable diet? 


Take a look at our samples to see if your pet loves it!