There is an undeniable joy in the companionship that dogs bring to the lives of hoomans.
But as more and more of us embrace the life of being a dog parent, it’s important to think about the growing implications that pet ownership has on our environment.
So, as a responsible dog owner and as an individual who wants to continue making the world a safer, healthier place for us to live in, including for our beloved pooches, making greener and more sustainable choices in our daily life is vital.
And as dog owners, these greener choices extend beyond our own lives and into the lives of our four-legged furry friends – for example, into their dog routine.
While getting more exercise, eating healthier, or trying new things are great New Year’s resolutions, we think that there is no better time than the start of a new year to begin incorporating a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle into your pooch’s routine!
In this article, we will explore various ways to make an eco-friendly dog routine in 2025 – small changes that can make a huge difference in our environment.
The Environmental Impact Of Owning A Dog
As global pet population increases, so does the environmental impact of owning one.
According to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) geography professor Gregory Okin, dogs and cats in US households create about 64 million tons of carbon dioxide and methane each year.
And according to Okin’s research, this carbon footprint is the equivalent of the climate impact that 13.6 million cars create annually.
Food is an integral part of a dog routine. And did you know that pets in the US consume about 19% of the number of calories as American people do in a year? The food they consume is equivalent to the number of calories that the entire human population of France will consume in a year.
Speaking of food, global dry pet food production is associated with 41-58 million of hectares of agricultural land use, which is about 0.8 to 1.2% of the total and 1.1 to 2.9% of global agricultural emissions.
Furthermore, Random Acts of Green also reveals that 40% of dog owners do not pick up their pet’s poop for a variety of reasons – which is a problem since the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorized our pooch’s poop as an environmental pollutant on the same level as pesticides.
We might think nothing of it, but the impact that pet ownership has on the environment continues to grow from here as more and more people own pets.
However, you and your pooch can do your part in your own small ways by creating an eco-friendly dog routine.
7 Ways To Make An Eco-Friendly Dog Routine
When trying to create a more sustainable dog routine, you don’t have to do everything all at once. You can always start small and slowly build on these habits. Afterall, dogs are not a big fan of drastic changes on their routines.
This 2025, let’s add “making an eco-friendly dog routine” to the New Year’s resolution list with these tips:
1. Switch To An Eco-Friendly Food Choice
Dog nutrition is very important, and therefore something you should not compromise. But unless your pooch requires a special diet, you might want to consider switching to a sustainable dog food brand.
There are dog food brands that prioritize sustainability without compromising the quality of the food. For example, we have Benevo Organic Dog Food, which is a vegan food choice.
Or you can give the brand Chippin a try. They “make high-quality, drool-worthy products that use 80%+ fewer resources.” They sell both wet and dry dog food that address different health concerns such as sensitive stomachs and inflammation – all while trying to save the planet.
Here are a few of our eco-friendly dog food choices:
2. Opt For Biodegradable Waste Bags
It’s natural for dogs to relieve themselves as part of their dog routine. And of course, there is a way to sustainably handle it.
Did you know that there are biodegradable waste bags you can switch to? These sustainable alternatives to traditional dog waste bag are either made from plant-based materials or recycled plastic but function just the same. They will decompose faster, and therefore, have less impact on the environment.
Here are two of our favorite biodegradable waste bags from Amazon:
3. Compost Dog Waste
if you really want to make a very sustainable dog routine, another method to dispose your dog’s waste is through composting. If you have a backyard, then you might want to consider a dog waste composting system.
Why composting, you might ask? Well, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, composting can help eliminate pathogens and produces high-quality soil additive that acts as a fertilizer.
Furthermore, by composting dog waste, you save time, money, energy, and landfill space because the waste doesn’t need to be transported to a disposal facility.
Here’s the USDA’s “Compost Recipe” that you can try on your own:
Proportions
- Two shovels full of dog waste
- One shovel full of sawdust or other carbon- rich material
Build the pile
- Thoroughly mix sawdust and dog waste, adding water as you go.
- Keep covered and let it “cook.”
- When the temperature drops, turn the pile.
- Repeat until the temperature stops rising after turning.
- Cooking time varies from 6 to 8 weeks.
Learn more about different composting methods and how to do it properly here.
4. Go For Greener Transportation
Is a dog routine complete without walks? If you’re walking your dog, then congratulations! You’re helping your dog stay healthy and reducing your carbon emissions.
But do you know what’s even better? Running your daily errands AND walking your dog. Ditch the car in the garage when you run your errands and consider walking with your dog – now you’re able to kill two birds with one stone!
5. Choose Sustainable Dog Toys
Just as dogs need physical exercise (in the form of walks) in their dog routine, they also need mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy.
But even with toys, you and your pooch can help make an environmental impact by choosing to buy toys made from eco-friendly, 100% natural materials.
There are toys that are made from materials like hemp or cotton. And sometimes, toys that are made from recycled plastic bottles!
Here are some sustainable dog toys you can get for your pooch for their enrichment:
6. Use Chemical-Free Bathing Products
Bathing your dog keeps them clean and healthy, and is therefore an essential part of their dog routine.
When doing so, consider products that are made with natural and biodegradable ingredients. Not only are these better for your dog’s coat and less harmful, but they’re also safer for Mother Earth!
Not only that, but shampoos, conditioner, and soaps made with all-natural products are great for dogs with very sensitive skin.
Look for bathing products with ingredients like aloe vera or oatmeal, since they are known to be gentle on the skin and have calming effects.
Furthermore, if you’re looking to repel fleas, ticks, or any parasitic infection, look for bathing products with tea tree oil in the ingredients.
These natural dog bathing products are made from natural products that can keep your dog’s fur and coat healthy:
7. Make DIY Dog Treats Instead Of Buying
We do believe that dogs think treats are a part of their dog routine. And if you use treats for positive reinforcement during training, then you might want to opt for DIY dog treats, instead of buying.
When you make DIY dog treats, you help minimize packaging waste, cut down on the use of single-use plastics by storing the treats in reusable containers, and most importantly – you get to choose and use organic and locally sourced ingredients!
Whether it’s festive cookies, pumpkin spice dog treats, or fun and refreshing frozen treats, there are plenty of DIY dog treat recipes for you to try.
Conclusion
The new year is the perfect time for new beginnings. And for 2025, you can start incorporating sustainability into your and your dog’s routines as part of your New Year’s resolution.
If you decide to do it, we encourage you to start small and to continue building on these habits as the year goes by to help make a difference – one paw at a time.