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As we become educated on reducing our carbon footprint, it’s time to start evaluating the carbon footprint of our pets too. While they may seem small, dogs can emit a carbon footprint just as large, if not larger, than the cars we drive! To help reduce the size, follow these simple tips:

Adopt! - Find your next best friend at your local animal shelter. By doing so, you are reducing the overpopulation most shelters face and are decreasing the demand on pet stores for new pups. Making sure to spay or neuter your dog will also help reduce overpopulation in the future.

Eat Better! - When selecting your dog’s food, choose something organic. Organic food is eco-friendlier because of its lack of chemicals, making it better for the environment and the health of your dog. Check the ingredients and go for higher protein content over “chicken-by-product”. While costlier, a brand with higher protein will fill your dog faster, requiring less food each meal. Reducing the amount you feed your pet in general is also something to consider. This is especially true considering a large percentage of dogs are viewed as overweight by veterinarians and health experts. Try to choose a brand of food that has recyclable packaging to cut down your pup's footprint in more ways than one.

Clean Up! - Choosing biodegradable bags to help with dog clean up outside is another easy way to reduce your dog’s footprint. Leaving waste behind is not a safe option, it can pass germs to other dogs and people; switching your clean up bag to one that is biodegradable is best. When choosing flea repellents and shampoos, try to stick with all-natural ingredients that will get the job done AND are friendly to the environment. We carry several great options for flea & tick treatments, as well as all-natural, gentle shampoos that are chemical free.

Play Friendlier! - Giving your dog toys made from recycled goods is also an important step to reduce your dog’s carbon footprint. Choose toys that can be easily washed and reused to keep cost (and footprint!) lower. If your pup tends to stick to two or three toys out of his basket of many, wash and donate the rest to a local shelter. They're always looking for donations and this is an easy and eco-friendly way to help out without hurting your wallet.