How to be an environmentally friendly pet owner
It’s no surprise that we are a nation of pet lovers, with over half of our houses in the UK being home to at least one furry friend. But did you know our pets also have a carbon footprint? Bigger dogs can create a footprint of up to 2500kg of CO2 per year – that’s the equivalent of driving around 1110 miles!
So, what can we do? While we love to spoil our perfect pooches and cats, there are lots of ways we can cut down on the impact that comes from having a pet. From making informed choices or trying to make things go further, we can save the environment and some money along the way.
Get creative with toys
Making your own pet toys can be a cheap and creative way to bond with your pets. By using things we can easily find around the house, such as old t-shirts, socks, or cardboard boxes, you can get crafty with toys tailored to your pet's preferences and personalities! Whether it's a denim rope toy for your dog to tug on or a giant crinkly paper ball for your cat to bat around, the possibilities are almost endless.
DIY pet toys still provide lots of fun and mental stimulation for your pets, and they also allow you to save some money, reduce waste and repurpose older items that would probably go in the bin. So, roll up your sleeves and get crafty!
Travelling around Manchester
One of the easiest ways to reduce you and your pet’s carbon footprint is avoid using your car – and I’m sure your dog might thank you too! One of the best things about Manchester is how easy it is to travel to parks and green spaces on foot, and if you want to save a bit of time you can hop on the tram with your dog for free! If you’re keen to explore more with your pooch companions, check out our blog on Manchester’s parks and how you can reach them sustainably (including by tram and by bus).
Recycling food containers
Like lots of rubbish, it can be difficult to know what to do with our pet’s food packaging. Here’s a quick guide for common pet food packaging:
Tins – Tins and metal containers can be recycled at home. All you need to do is give them a quick rinse to remove any leftover food and separate any different materials like plastic and cardboard.
Plastic pouches – These are known as ‘flexible plastics’ and can be recycled at flexible plastic recycling points across Manchester. Pets at Home, large Tesco’s and all Co-op stores have recycling points for pet food pouches and other flexible plastics like plastic bags, crisp packets and clear wrapping.
Want more recycling tips? Check out this handy guide on how to recycle in Manchester.
Connecting with nature
Nature is good for us. Taking our canine companions for walks, hikes, or simply spending time with them in our local park is proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and make us feel happier.
There’s lots of simple ways to make sure we look after nature whilst spending time in it. Always remember to dispose of any waste in the correct bins, pick up any litter you see on route, and why not try bringing some reusable drinks and food containers for a picnic next time you’re out for a long walk? Check out our blog about how to have a sustainable picnic.
