5 things you can do to be a more sustainable pet parent
Most of us are aware of various things we can do to live more sustainable, environmentally-friendly lives. But did you know that there are things you can do to be a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly pet parent too?
Here are 5 simple things you can do, in no particular order.
1. Buy ethical farming pet food
Ethical farming is all about farming in a way that respects animals and the environment. Ethically farmed pet food only includes certified organic ingredients, free-range eggs and free-range meat. This food is not only high quality, healthy and human grade, it’s sustainable too!
Frontier Pets is an example of an Australian company that produces a range of ethically farmed dog food, including beef, pork and chicken. They even produce dog treats too!
2. Avoid plastic toys
We all know that plastic is bad for the environment. According to the latest statistics from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) the average Australian uses 130 kilograms of plastic each year, and only 9% of it is recycled. The rest ends up in landfill or the ocean where it can cause a lot of environmental damage.
You can avoid being part of this problem by not buying your pet plastic toys. Buy non-plastic, eco-friendly toys instead. We have a range of eco-friendly, non-toxic, safe and durable dog toys at Outback Tails. We also donate a percentage of the profits from each toy sale to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, a not-for profit organisation dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife.
3. ‘Upcycle’ your old dog bed
If you’re old dog bed is showing signs of wear and tear, ‘upcycle’ it instead of just throwing it in landfill and buying a new one. After all, your best buddy is likely to be very attached to it. You can upcycle your old dog bed by putting a new Outback Tails cover on it.
4. Use biodegradable poop bags
Biodegradable, plant-based poop bags for your dog are compostable. Unlike plastic bags, they are designed to degrade in a matter of months, not years. They are a no-brainer in terms of sustainability and the environment.
Just leaving your dog’s business on the ground isn’t necessarily sustainable or healthy either, especially if remnants find their way into a water supply.
5. Protect the wildlife around you
Most pets are natural predators. If you have a dog, keep it on a leash when you’re in bushland or park areas where they aren’t allowed to roam free. That will avoid them hunting other wild animals and birds unnecessarily. It’s part of being a responsible (and sustainable) pet owner.
You should also spay or neuter your pet if you can so that they don’t breed uncontrollably and spread disease.
About Us
At Outback Tails, we have a range of eco aware and socially responsible dog products featuring the work of renowned Indigenous artists, including:
- sustainable dog toys,
- dog bed covers for ‘upcycling’,
- oilskin dog coats,
- dog beds,
- collars and leads.
You can shop online or see our products at a range of retailers across Australia.