Be a More Sustainable Dog Owner with These 6 Eco-Friendly Dog Products
By Samantha Johnson
Dog psychology is the foreground of how I train. Dog psychology focuses on the dog's state of mind to create a balanced and happy pup. I train dogs but my main responsibility is to teach humans how their dog naturally processes, communicates (think body language) and sees the world. In addition to people spending more money on dog training—now more than ever people are spending money on items for their pups—whether it's toys, beds, or the right food the pet industry is booming. In fact, the pet industry is expected to be worth $200 billion globally by 2025. (1) However, like a lot of booming industries, sustainability is not always the forefront of concern.
If you are a pet owner and care about the environment along with your pup's happiness, we have 6 sustainable, pet-focused brands for you.
Sustainable Dog Food
Image: V-Dog
V-DOG
My go-to pet food for so many reasons from my dogs health, allergens, and the environment is V-DOG food. A vegan dog?! I thought it was a bit crazy when i first learned about it too, but there are some serious health benefits for your dog as well as the planet. Nowadays animal proteins are some of the top food allergens for dogs in addition to the by-product meat we are giving our pups, which are super low quality and, according to the world health organization, considered a carcinogen. For me personally all of my pups and foster dogs (which tend to be a lot) have thrived on this kibble.
Sustainable Practices
By taking livestock out of the equation for protein, V-DOG is dramatically decreasing the amount of water consumption necessary to make your dog's food.
When feeding our dogs meat it requires 18x more land compared to their vegan alternatives.
Samantha’s Pick
Don’t forget V-DOG breath bones for an extra yummy treat for your pup!
Plastic-Free Pet Waste Bags
The reality of being a dog owner is picking up a lot of poop. I always felt weird about putting poop into a plastic bag and a lot of companies have misleading marketing about what is actually biodegradable. Even worse, there are some companies that claim to be earth-friendly, but their poop bags don’t actually break down at all!
There are two perfect options to combat plastic waste depending on what your yard, or city area, looks like.
Image: Alpha Dog Pack
ALPHA DOG PACK POOP BAGS
If you need to use poop bags (like I do) my go to company is Alpha Dog Pack. Their leak proof plant based poop bags are made from corn starch and are 100% biodegradable.
Sustainable Practices
Made of plant-based (corn starch)
100% biodegradable
100% leak proof compostable
ASTM D6400 rated--standard specifications for compostable plastic
Packaged in recycled paper box
Samantha’s Pick
Image: Doggie Dooley
DOGGIE DOOLEY COMPOSTING BIN
If you have a yard and are able to use a composting bin, Doggie Dooleyon might be the perfect fit for you! It is an easy to assemble, clean, non-toxic, and convenient way to dispose of your dog's waste if you are able to dig a small hole into your yard.
“Dooley pet waste disposal system works like a miniature septic tank, utilizing natural bacteria and enzyme cultures to reduce dog waste to a ground absorbing liquid.”
Sustainable Practices
Decomposes dog waste sustainably rather than adding it to the landfill
Eco-Friendly Dog Leashes
Image: Packlife LA
MOUNTAIN DOG PRODUCTS DESIGNED BY PACKLIFE LA
My go-to leash brand, without a doubt, the dream leash I designed with Mountain Dog Products. They even have a forever warranty in case your pup has a chewing mistake or your leash is so dirty you can't recognize it anymore!
Sustainable Practices
Majority of Mountain dog leashes are made from recycled climbing rope - reducing waste
Leashes are handmade in the USA, dramatically decreasing carbon footprint
Leashes are made to last! High quality, durable material
Packaging and paper contains recycled material
Reduce advertising pollution by not placing a label on their leashes
Samantha’s Pick
Samantha designed her dream leash. This leash has a slip lead on one side and a clip on the other. The clip allows you to conveniently tether your pup while they practice place or other training, can clip to their collar, or use as a handle.
These leashes are made by Mountain Dog Products and assembled by hand in the U.S.A. The material used to make the leashes come from recycled climbing rope making them super durable and the leashes are vegan (no leather).
Earth-Friendly Dog Beds
Image: West Paw
WEST PAW
West Paw not only cares about the comfort of your pup but the customer and the environment too! If you are not happy with a product they will replace or refund it and they use recycled materials right here in the USA.
Sustainable Practices
Materials are American made and the beds are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana
Beds are filled with IntelliLoft® fiber obtained from recycled plastic
Samantha’s Pick
The heyday bed - The perfect travel bed that you can take anywhere! The Hayday bed is our favorite from West paw and a large bed has approximately 56.7 recycled water bottles in it!
Sustainable Dog Toys
Image: Harry Barker
HARRY BARKER
As a trainer I see a lot of owners spending a lot of unnecessary money on their pups, like a box of unsustainable toy deliveries each week, when what your pup really wants is to go for a walk or go explore a new trail with you. Don’t forget, outdoor adventure and being in the present moment is the best gift for your four legged best friend. That being said, working with toys can be a fun way to engage with your pup. For toys or your “go-to everything” check out Harry barker.
Whether you are looking for sustainable toys, dog beds or collars, we’re big fans of Harry Barker.
Harry Barker aims to “sell products that are beautiful, functional and eco-friendly—products that strengthen the relationship between people, their pets & the environment.”
Sustainable Practices
Earth-friendly fabrics with azo-free dyes
Bed inserts made in USA
Eco-fiberfill for bed inserts and toys made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles
Samantha’s Pick
Playing a structured game of tug can be a great way to engage with your dog and teach impulse control - I love Tug and Toss Dog Rope Toy made from recycled yarn and 100% azo-free dyes. Made to last, this is a perfect tug toy!
Image: PackLife LA
About Samantha Johnson, Founder of Pack Life LA
Samantha Johnson is the owner/head trainer of Pack Life LA, a dog training company. Samantha trained under Cesar Milan as a lead course trainer. Samantha’s pride and joy is being a head trainer for Marley’s Mutts Pawsitive Change prison program. To learn more about this program please visit: Marley’s Mutts Pawsitive
(1) Petpedia.co
