Wet Nose Wednesday: Earth Week Ideas For Your Dog

By101.5 K-Hits


Earth Week is a great time to consider the impact you and your dog have on good old Mother Earth. Caring for your pooch in an eco-friendly way is a great way to care for the planet! Here are some ideas to green-up your dog-care routine.

DIY Recycled Enrichments. Your doggo doesn’t care if it’s toy is new or brand name, you can use some items from around your house to create puzzles and games to keep your dog busy and entertained. See the video to the left for some fun ideas.

Use Biodegradable Poop Bags. Cleaning up after your pet is a must. Leaving your dog’s business where she puts it can result in contamination of nearby areas with bacteria, the attraction of pests, and the spread of parasites which is a no-go. Using biodegradable bags for picking up and disposing of your dog’s poo will help decrease the use of planet-unfriendly plastics, and your neighbors will thank you.

Donate Old Toys, Blankets, Towels, and Unneeded food. Instead of throwing out any extra or old dog-care items, blankets, or towels that you may find when you do your spring cleaning, drop them off at an animal shelter. These places care for large numbers of dogs and are always in need of such things. Our landfills are NOT in need of such things.

Walk More with Your Dog. Whenever possible, skip the drive for a nice walk with your dog. If you live close enough to the park, a hiking trail, or the pet store, save some gas and get some exercise!

Use Earth-Friendly Dog Shampoos and Mess Cleaners. When your dog needs a bath, choose a natural, biodegradable product without chemicals. If your pet makes a mess in the house and you’re reaching for a cleaner that contains harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment, consider using a more earth-friendly option that will be more friendly to you and your furry family.

Brush Your Dog Outside. When your furry beast needs a good brushing, consider doing it outside. Leave the bits of fur on the lawn. Birds will quickly come by and collect it to help build their nests. This will save the electricity for vacuuming or the plastic bag for the collecting the fur.

Spay or Neuter Your Dog. Making sure that your pet doesn’t contribute to the problem of dog overpopulation is a great way to help protect the environment and also decrease animal suffering. You can learn more here: “Dog Neutering: Is Earlier Better?“

Adopt! Adopting a dog from a shelter instead of buying one from a breeder is a perfect way to “recycle.” You’re providing a loving home for a dog that is already here needing one.