How to be eco-conscious dog moms?
November 13, 2020 8:49 AM Subscribe
My wife and I are invested in living with a low carbon footprint and have recently decided to get a dog. Do you have tips, strategies, or product recommendations that meet a dog's needs (comfort, safety, food, toys, etc.) while minimizing production/transportation/packaging?
My dog does not require a custom dog carrier to ride the bike with me.
posted by aniola at 9:40 AM on November 13, 2020
posted by aniola at 9:40 AM on November 13, 2020
Best answer: A lot of pet products are marketed to humans. Does your dog reeally need that product?
posted by aniola at 9:41 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by aniola at 9:41 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Also on the waste front, many of the eco-friendly disposal bags are hard to open, but these are very easy to open. It seems trivial but quickly becomes less so when repeated multiple times a day.
posted by superfluousm at 9:50 AM on November 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by superfluousm at 9:50 AM on November 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
If you know how to do it in a healthy/safe manner, feeding a dog primarily from your kitchen scraps will cut down a lot on the carbon footprint of making and transporting special dog food. (But don't feed them from your table, feed them in their own bowl as usual else you'll train it to whine and beg while you eat)
Depends a bit on the dog, my last dog would eat almost any vegetable; this can be trained in a young dog by offering them veggies with a dab of peanut butter or similar at first.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:55 AM on November 13, 2020 [3 favorites]
Depends a bit on the dog, my last dog would eat almost any vegetable; this can be trained in a young dog by offering them veggies with a dab of peanut butter or similar at first.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:55 AM on November 13, 2020 [3 favorites]
A previously-used cardboard box can be as engaging and durable a toy as something cheap and stuffed with plastic fiber!
posted by tybstar at 10:07 AM on November 13, 2020
posted by tybstar at 10:07 AM on November 13, 2020
Best answer: Small dogs eat less (and tend to live longer).
posted by heatherlogan at 10:11 AM on November 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by heatherlogan at 10:11 AM on November 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
Definitely the biodegradable poop scoop bags, probably the biggest thing you can do. Or skip the poop scoop bags when the poop is in your own yard, and get a poop shovel dedicated solely for that purpose. The other thing I do is stay out of stores like PetSmart, Petco, etc as much as possible. There's always some cute temptation in there that you want to get for the dog, but really, the dog doesn't need more than one harness, or multiple ChuckIts or whatever. Of course I am no saint and occasionally I buy a new collar or something before its really needed, because Im tired of the old, ratty one. If I wind up with an extra collar, or dog bed that still works but we don't use, I donate them to the animal shelter. They are always pleased to get stuff like that (and also towels, they love to take used towels off my hands). You can look for food that is non-GMO and organic.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 10:13 AM on November 13, 2020
posted by WalkerWestridge at 10:13 AM on November 13, 2020
You can flush dog poo down the toilet! Which reduces the amount of waste going into the landfills. Not cat poo, that messes up the waste management systems, but apparently dog poo is sufficiently similar to human waste that the city sewer system can handle it.
I occasionally consider this, but it's awkward and you still end up with a dirty poo container somewhere along the line (either a scooper or plastic bag).
posted by suelac at 10:17 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
I occasionally consider this, but it's awkward and you still end up with a dirty poo container somewhere along the line (either a scooper or plastic bag).
posted by suelac at 10:17 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
The Wirecutter had a decent look at what "biodegradable" dog poop bags actually mean (unfortunately not all that much). I tend to buy them anyway, but the reality seems to be that there aren't a lot of amazingly green options for poop disposal for city-dwelling dogs.
posted by fancypants at 10:20 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by fancypants at 10:20 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I like to find a great local vet and pet-supply store and buy all my meds and products from them.
For some reason, this is an easier boundary for me to keep in not supporting Amazon or a chain. I think it's because I value the local expertise, convenience, and in-person browsing when it comes to my dog. I also tend to buy less non-essential items when I shop in person.
Pet food cans are infinitely recyclable. Unfortunately, almost all dry food has moved away from paper bags to polypropylene. A few brands have mail-in recycling programs for their packaging. My local store also accepts some packaging for recycling.
posted by cursed at 10:28 AM on November 13, 2020
For some reason, this is an easier boundary for me to keep in not supporting Amazon or a chain. I think it's because I value the local expertise, convenience, and in-person browsing when it comes to my dog. I also tend to buy less non-essential items when I shop in person.
Pet food cans are infinitely recyclable. Unfortunately, almost all dry food has moved away from paper bags to polypropylene. A few brands have mail-in recycling programs for their packaging. My local store also accepts some packaging for recycling.
posted by cursed at 10:28 AM on November 13, 2020
On the other side of the poop issue, do clean up after (i.e. pick up their poop) your dog when you’re outside in a park or on a trail. Having a lot of fecal waste around isn’t good for the ecosystem - it puts too many nutrients into the water system which can cause things like algal bloom. I couldn’t say whether it’s better to pick up poop and throw it away or leave it on the ground, but leaving it on the ground isn’t without costs either.
We got a dog bed cover that can be filled with whatever instead of a foam-filled dog bed. We filled ours with an old duvet but wool sweaters from a thrift store would be great too.
Also in environmental impacts - don’t let your dog chase birds or other wildlife. In particular, keep your dog off beaches during breeding and migration season for shorebirds. They might not catch anything but you really stress the birds and may prevent nesting or cause nesting failure.
posted by hydrobatidae at 10:34 AM on November 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
We got a dog bed cover that can be filled with whatever instead of a foam-filled dog bed. We filled ours with an old duvet but wool sweaters from a thrift store would be great too.
Also in environmental impacts - don’t let your dog chase birds or other wildlife. In particular, keep your dog off beaches during breeding and migration season for shorebirds. They might not catch anything but you really stress the birds and may prevent nesting or cause nesting failure.
posted by hydrobatidae at 10:34 AM on November 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
A lot of pet products are marketed to humans. Does your dog reeally need that product?
This^^^
When one rescues a dog (and please rescue) it makes it easy to feel the need to spoil them, and pamper them. To give them lots of treats and every cute toy you see. Because (in many cases) they suffered before they found their forever home. Don't. Just love them, give them as much exercise as you possibly can, feed them the correct amount for their dietary needs, and provide them a few toys -- especially toys that challenge their minds. Give treats as sparingly as rewards. Praise and touching goes a long way.
The thing they want most is to please you and receive affection from you. Spend time, sitting with them on the floor and just cuddle and pet them. The bonus is that this is good for your metal health as well.
Good luck, and thank you for such a good question.
posted by terrapin at 11:05 AM on November 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
This^^^
When one rescues a dog (and please rescue) it makes it easy to feel the need to spoil them, and pamper them. To give them lots of treats and every cute toy you see. Because (in many cases) they suffered before they found their forever home. Don't. Just love them, give them as much exercise as you possibly can, feed them the correct amount for their dietary needs, and provide them a few toys -- especially toys that challenge their minds. Give treats as sparingly as rewards. Praise and touching goes a long way.
The thing they want most is to please you and receive affection from you. Spend time, sitting with them on the floor and just cuddle and pet them. The bonus is that this is good for your metal health as well.
Good luck, and thank you for such a good question.
posted by terrapin at 11:05 AM on November 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
Best answer: I get a lot of value out of using enrichment toys that force my otherwise not-toy-motivated dog to think and work for his food, and while I also have some store-bought favorites, I've found that homemade enrichment toys (this is a good list, or this has a few good ideas) can be made out of almost anything in the house. Obligatory caveats: don't introduce potentially-hazardous materials (e.g. cardboard, plastic bottles, socks) until you know your dog well enough to know if they're at risk of swallowing them. Always supervise your dog with that type of toy, especially if homemade.
I also let my dog clean many of my recyclables before they go to the recycling. Safe foods/containers only, of course - stuff like yogurt containers. Works great and I don't waste any water rinsing things out!
posted by mosst at 12:06 PM on November 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
I also let my dog clean many of my recyclables before they go to the recycling. Safe foods/containers only, of course - stuff like yogurt containers. Works great and I don't waste any water rinsing things out!
posted by mosst at 12:06 PM on November 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
We also use lots of fruits & vegetables as treats - blueberries, watermelon cubes, broccoli, carrots - maybe I have a weirdo but he loves all fruit and most cruciferous veggies. Sometimes raw, sometimes cooked plain.
posted by mosst at 12:11 PM on November 13, 2020
posted by mosst at 12:11 PM on November 13, 2020
Non-dog-having (and non-kid-having) person here, but I'm amazed at how BIG a lot of dogs are. Of course they're all good doggos, but I can't not think about how much BIG dogs must eat (and poop). A small dog seems like it must have a smaller footprint.
posted by cyndigo at 4:52 PM on November 13, 2020
posted by cyndigo at 4:52 PM on November 13, 2020
Best answer: Compost poop! EnviroWagg collects dog poop from dog parks in Denver and Boulder Colorado for composting. and has published The Pet Poo Pocket Guide: How to Safely Compost and Recycle Pet Waste. Apparently (based on their blog) NYC's Battery Park also does the same!
Check online Buy Nothing or Freecycle groups, Craigslist etc for large items like crates and travel kennels. I have cats and we got an amazing floor to ceiling cat tree for cheap because the CL poster was moving out of their apartment and didn't have room for it and their new place. So much better than getting one of those carpeted monstrosities.
Buy upcycled/recycled bedding and toys or repurpose stuff you already have. There is adorable stuff on Etsy. Especially if the toy is likely to be gnawed to death, it's better to get something that's already on its second go around. If there's something you think looks like your dog would like, what's something similar in your home that could serve a similar purpose? I will set up temporary tunnels and forts for the cats using bedsheets tied to furniture and area rugs propped up on pillows.
posted by spamandkimchi at 6:33 PM on November 13, 2020
Check online Buy Nothing or Freecycle groups, Craigslist etc for large items like crates and travel kennels. I have cats and we got an amazing floor to ceiling cat tree for cheap because the CL poster was moving out of their apartment and didn't have room for it and their new place. So much better than getting one of those carpeted monstrosities.
Buy upcycled/recycled bedding and toys or repurpose stuff you already have. There is adorable stuff on Etsy. Especially if the toy is likely to be gnawed to death, it's better to get something that's already on its second go around. If there's something you think looks like your dog would like, what's something similar in your home that could serve a similar purpose? I will set up temporary tunnels and forts for the cats using bedsheets tied to furniture and area rugs propped up on pillows.
posted by spamandkimchi at 6:33 PM on November 13, 2020
Ooh oh this is so much my thing I don't know where to start! Can you give any more details, like are you in a city apartment or a rural yard, what do you plan to do with the dog (couch life or long backcountry hikes or..?) No judgement in any direction, if you want a dog in your life that is a good thing and anything I can do to help it happen!
posted by The otter lady at 9:06 PM on November 13, 2020
posted by The otter lady at 9:06 PM on November 13, 2020
Best answer: I don’t think anyone’s mentioned making your own dog food or treats. Cooked meat and rice, dehydrated meat, etc. This isn’t particularly quick or easy, but many people do it.
Also, I like the suggestion above for finding “human” food that your dog likes. Our (adopted) dog who didn’t seem to like anything but meat treats started liking apples, blueberries, etc after dental surgery and a few tries offering new things to him. Make sure you look up all new foods to make sure they are dog friendly.
posted by Red Desk at 4:20 AM on November 14, 2020
Also, I like the suggestion above for finding “human” food that your dog likes. Our (adopted) dog who didn’t seem to like anything but meat treats started liking apples, blueberries, etc after dental surgery and a few tries offering new things to him. Make sure you look up all new foods to make sure they are dog friendly.
posted by Red Desk at 4:20 AM on November 14, 2020
Response by poster: @The otter lady: Thanks for asking, I hope you see this as I'd love to hear what you're thinking.
We live in a rural yard (an acre), part open meadow, part large garden, fenced. We're in walking distance to many hiking paths and water (Puget sound). We have a composting toilet setup. We also compost all our food and yard waste. We have chickens (3 chicks, 9 hens, 1 rooster) in a large fenced area. We already put up our own food and have lots of gear for making/dehydrating our own treats/food. If it matters eco-wise, we also have solar panels for the house and also a portable solar panel. Bikes and a cargo bike trailer. Two 2,500 gallon cisterns.
We hope for the dog to be a companion and helper around the property—sniff out voles, chase rabbits, not eat chickens. My wife and I both work from home and go on (usually separate) long walks during the day, so there should be plenty of walking opportunities.
We have a neighbor dog who we love and we hope will be a big sister.
Do let me know if there are other details you think would be helpful, thanks!
posted by 10ch at 6:32 AM on November 16, 2020
We live in a rural yard (an acre), part open meadow, part large garden, fenced. We're in walking distance to many hiking paths and water (Puget sound). We have a composting toilet setup. We also compost all our food and yard waste. We have chickens (3 chicks, 9 hens, 1 rooster) in a large fenced area. We already put up our own food and have lots of gear for making/dehydrating our own treats/food. If it matters eco-wise, we also have solar panels for the house and also a portable solar panel. Bikes and a cargo bike trailer. Two 2,500 gallon cisterns.
We hope for the dog to be a companion and helper around the property—sniff out voles, chase rabbits, not eat chickens. My wife and I both work from home and go on (usually separate) long walks during the day, so there should be plenty of walking opportunities.
We have a neighbor dog who we love and we hope will be a big sister.
Do let me know if there are other details you think would be helpful, thanks!
posted by 10ch at 6:32 AM on November 16, 2020
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posted by phunniemee at 9:28 AM on November 13, 2020 [1 favorite]