Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 89

Carbon Paw Prints: Tips for Sustainable Pet Ownership Part One

For months now I’ve been focusing on the environmental impact of human activity, our lifestyles and our diet. But so far I have failed in one respect. I have failed to include the furry friends that we have and how they impact the environment as well.  

Of all the things we do as humans that affects the planet, we often forget about the dog and the cat. After all, they have to eat, drink water, and when we walk them they leave poop in the environment just like every other animal. Obviously they have an impact on the environment. But, what can we do to be sustainable pet owners? That is the subject I want to cover in the next two episodes.  

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E89 which is called Carbon Paw Prints: Tips for Sustainable Pet Ownership Part One.

But before we get started I want to remind everyone that if you would like to contact me with questions, comments, or even suggestions for podcast content, especially if there is something in particular that you would like to hear about, please don’t hesitate to contact me at adventuresinsustainableliving@gmail.com. Repeat. 

Now, let’s get right down to this week’s topic which is about tips for sustainable pet ownership. Now you would think with my being a veterinarian I would have brought up this subject much sooner. But you know I am just not perfect of course. In fact I was researching another topic the other day and just happened to come across an article that questioned the sustainability of pet ownership. It occurred to me this was a topic that I have completely failed to discuss. But our furry companions are an important part of our lives and they do in fact have an impact on the environment just like so many other things that we do. 

When I started researching this topic, my intention was to produce one episode that fully encompassed the most important aspects of sustainable pet ownership. But, it turns out there is way too much information. In the interest of not throwing too much info at you all at once, I divided this up into two sections. In this episode I want to cover the two biggest categories of sustainable pet ownership which is what we feed our pets and what comes out the other end. 

While we may not want to talk about it, we all eat and we all poop. So do our pets. I often joke with people about my composting toilet in that if everyone had to truly deal with their own poop they would be a lot more conscious of the resources we consume. As it turns out the same is true for our pets. 

So, let’s get started and talk about the environmental impact of our pets. But to give you a better understanding of that let’s just start by talking about some numbers.  

From 2019 to 2020 the American Pet Products Association conducted a survey regarding pet ownership. As it turns out, in the United States 67% of households own pets with the average being 90 million dogs and 58 million cats.  In the United Kingdom, about 51% of adults own pets and there is about 10.2 million dogs and 11.1 million cats. In Sweden about 16% of households have pets and there are about 890 thousand dogs and 1.5 million cats.  In Italy about 25 % of households have pets. But the overall average of households with pets in the European Union is about 38% and that amounts to 110 million cats and 90 millions dogs.  

Furthermore, the pet industry in the US in 2020 produced $99 billion in revenue. However, on a global basis, the pet care market reached nearly $208 billion USD in 2020, which is approximately 204 billion Euros.

Clearly, we love our pets and are more than willing to spend a lot of money on them. But while we are busy spending billions of dollars and euros on our pets, we cannot forget about the environment impact of this part of our lives. That is the focus of  the next two episodes. But I also want to give you solutions and  tips on sustainable pet ownership. 

When most of us take home a dog or a cat, the first thing we think about is what they are going to eat. Then we think about potty training and how we are going to manage the poop. This is why I want to cover these two topics first because everything else tends to come later.

Pet Food

So, let’s start off by talking about food. 

We already know that our agricultural activities, which are focused on feeding the human population, are one of the biggest drivers of environmental degradation. But why is it that such a concept extends to our pets?   

When you first take that cute little puppy or kitten home, or when you take home that cat or dog home from the shelter, most likely the last thing on your mind is that you now have to feed a carnivore. But that is essentially the bottom line. Dogs and cats are carnivores. That said, without boring you with a lot of medical physiology, there are some differences between the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats. 

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they cannot obtain all the nutrients they need from the plant kingdom. They have to have a meat based diet with specific proteins and amino acids. In fact, early in my career as a veterinarian, we saw a very specific heart problem in cats because at the time we were unaware that cats needed a very specific amino acid and the standard commercial cat food was deficient of that protein. Once veterinary nutritionist learned the source of the problem, that amino acid was added to commercial diets and I’ve not seen that particular heart problem in cats for years now. 

On the other hand, after centuries of domestication, the modern dog is no longer an obligate carnivore. It is known that dogs are descendent of wolves but we started domesticating them about 15,000 years ago. Through the centuries, dogs have evolved with the ability to eat human food. They can digest and benefit from carbohydrates, starches, and a variety of plant based food sources. Thus, with the advent of grain free dog foods, we started seeing certain heart problems in dog that were not previously known to be predisposed to such things. Just like cats dogs need meat based protein. The big difference is that they can also digest and benefit from a variety of plant nutrients.  

So, why am I telling you this?

It is because dogs and cats need a highly digestible source of protein in order to thrive and that protein source usually means meat. And we already know that meat production is one of the greatest drivers of environmental degradation and greenhouse gas production. 

Now most of us would never even think of this as a problem. After all dogs and cats are so much smaller than larger animals in the agricultural setting. However,  there are approximately 844 million pet dogs and cats globally and their sheer numbers produces a significant impact. A big part of that impact is the food that they eat. After all, just as with humans, the source of the food ingredients, how those ingredient are produced, harvested, and manufactured really makes a difference from a sustainability prospective. 

I distinctly remember when I was growing up in Tennessee there were two brands of dog food available. What you fed your dog was an easy choice. Often our dogs were fed a combination of Purina Dog Chow and food scraps.  These days you have the choice of several hundred different types of dog and cat foods to choose from.  Understandably, many people are confused about the best food to feed their pets.

In fact, this is by far one of the most common questions I get from my clients, “What is the best food to feed my dog?” But what I never get asked is what is the best food for my dog that is healthy, nutritious and sustainably sourced. Now that is a difficult question to answer. And……….once again despite all that I do I have to admit my own faults. I have never even asked myself this question nor have I addressed this aspect of my own life from the perspective of sustainability.   

But, if you will bear with me a little longer, to truly understand how difficult this question can be, you have to know a little bit about how pet food is manufactured, where the ingredients actually come from, and how this all got started. The reason I want to give you this back ground information is because it is not only beneficial to know some basic facts it is also very helpful to know the “why”. Why does this matter? Why do I need to be concerned? Why do I need to change? 

Commercially produced pet food originated as a dry biscuit style dog food developed in England in the 1860s. At the time ingredients consisted of variety of products and nutrients considered essential for dogs. At the beginning of the 20th century, pre-packaged dogs foods became available in the US and consisted mostly of dry cereals and canned horse meat. By the 1930s canned cat food and a meat meal type dog food were available. By the 1980s there was growing public interest in dry dog and cat foods as well as scientifically formulated pet foods with a higher nutritional profile specifically related to age and lifestyle choice.

Now the primary ingredients in pet food are meat by products,  poultry, seafood, feed grains, and soybean meal. Animal parts include damaged portions of carcasses, bones, cheek meat, a whole range of internal organs, cereal grains such as soy and corn meal, cracked wheat and barley, liquid ingredients such as water, meat broth and blood. And to top off the list, there is salt, preservatives, stabilizers, and gelling agents. Palatability is often improved with adding yeast, protein, fat, fish solubles,  sweeteners, and other concentrated flavors.  

Now without boring you with the whole manufacturing process, it goes something like this. It starts with meat rendering, the meat is ground and pre-cooked, all other ingredients are blended and the food is shaped, then comes the sterilization process, and then off to packaging and labeling. 

Now if all of this sounds rather disgusting, you can at least rest assured that pet foods are among the most highly regulated food products in the supermarket. This includes participation of the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, Federal Trade Commission, and the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Many of the same regulations applied to food processed for human consumption are also mandatory for pet food processing. As disgusting as it may sound, our pets most often eat the meat by products that humans no longer want to consume. In my opinion, at least it does not go to waste. 

And now that you’ve heard all of this, you may be tempted to reach for a home made diet for your pets. After all, the best way for me to make sure I eat a healthy diet is to purchase fresh ingredients and prepare the majority of my food at home. If that is what you are thinking, just know that veterinary nutritionist have identified between 42 and 48 essential nutrients for cats and dogs. This means that in order to provide a balanced diet, you have to include 3 to 4 dozen ingredients on a regular basis. And the simple fact is that I don’t know a single person that bothers to do this for themselves. 

It can be a true challenge to make a home made diet that is nutritionally sound so at least consult with a veterinary nutritionist. And, I have some bad news for the vegetarians and vegans out there, such a diet is not fit for a dog and a cat.  Sorry to tell you about that. 

The good news is that the pet food industry in the United States is highly regulated. The bad news about US regulations is there are numerous examples of laws being openly ignored. It is also interesting to note that laws regarding pet food manufacturing in the European Union are similar to those in the US except the EU often has much stricter enforcement. Good for you guys. Yet another example of the EU being much more forward thinking than the US. 

Now that I’ve shared all of this information, it begs the question of how the heck are you going to find a sustainably sourced dog and cat food that is guaranteed to be healthy and nutritious? 

Sustainable Pet Food 

Finding sustainably sourced pet food is about the same process as finding sustainably sourced food for yourself. But herein lies the rub. When it comes to sustainability and human nature most people are never going to comply unless it is somewhat easy, available, affordable, and accessible. 

That being said, let’s get back to the most common question I get asked by clients in the exam room. “What is the best food to feed my dog?” Well, in the United States there are now 630 brands of pet foods. In the UK, there are 250 brands of dog foods and treats. I searched results of several other countries and the results were similar. Having so many choices may seem convenient but it also adds confusion to the average consumer. 

So, even as a veterinarian, how do I make any sort of pet food recommendation.  So before you run off and starting looking for a sustainable dog or cat food, you have to know how to choose a food that is nutritionally sound. What that means is reading and interpreting the label. 

First look for the crude protein content, then look at the first 5 or 6 ingredients which is usually an indication of the predominant source of protein. Then it’s important to look for a source of beneficial fats because those fats will provide Omega-3  and Omega-6 fatty acids. Things such as fish oil are a fantastic source. You can expect to see a certain amount of fillers in the form of grains, things such as soy, barley, and corn. Other vegetable content is also good because they add vitamins and antioxidants. 

Once you think you have found a good food then look at a company’s website and do some basic research. Be mindful of companies that love to green wash. If a company is truly making sustainable choices it should be very easy to find that on their website. If you have any questions, contact the company. If they are on the up and up, they should be more than willing to communicate with you. For example, in the resources section of this episode I have included a link to an article from the Purina Company’s News Center. This is a good example of what you should be seeing on a company’s website if they are making efforts to be sustainable. Additionally there are several other links in the resources section to point you in the right direction. 

However,  here comes the disclaimer. 

As a practicing veterinarian I most often deal with prescription diets and other premium pet foods. I did read all the articles that are referenced in this transcript. However, I did not research the companies nor did I evaluate the diet from a nutritional perspective.  These are just examples of what is on the market and a good example of how our choices drive the market place. People want this so someone produced it.   

What I have tried to do here is to raise your awareness of the impact of our pets and the impact of what they eat. I have given you the basic means of evaluating a potential diet for your pets. Now it is up to you to do some basic research. But that is similar to what you would be doing for yourself when it comes to changing your lifestyle . And as always, due diligence, due diligence, due diligence.

Truly there is far too much information and far too many brands of pet foods to include in this one episode. But I did manage to found up a few really good resources that will get you started. 

Do Not Over Feed Your Pet 

Now the next best tip I have for you goes right along with what you feed your dog or cat. It simply consist of feeding them an appropriate amount of food, which translates into not over feeding them. In the US, 54% to 59% of our pets are obese. These finding are consistent with those in the European Union.

Over feeding leads to obesity which in turn leads to other health problems and is just about the same as wasting food. Food waste in the United States accounts for 30 to 40% of the supply chain. Wasting food means wasting the very resources used to produce that food, which in turn leads to further strain on the environment  and depletion of valuable resources which are increasingly limited.  

What I have done for years now is to restrict feed my pets. I have two dogs and a cat. Each of them gets fed a limited amount of food twice daily. This means they maintain an appropriate body weight and food is not wasted.  

Proper Waste Disposal

Okay, now that we’ve talked about what goes into your dog or cat, now let’s discuss what comes out the other end. What do we do with all the poop?  How do we dispose of this properly and is it even a concern?  

Just like anything else, pet fecal material in small amounts is not really considered a problem. But the accumulation of any type of fecal material is actually considered a biohazard. 

Similar to other things in our environment, this waste eventually breaks down and washes into the water supply and pollutes rivers, streams, lakes, and other waterways. 

But why is dog poop a problem. Dog poop contains a moderate amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. These components are the primary environmental contaminants from the use of fertilizers in agriculture operations. Nitrogen and phosphorus can deplete oxygen from the water, which of course kills marine life and encourages the growth of harmful algae. These contaminants are responsible for the 6,334 square mile dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. This translate into approximately 16,405 square kilometers. Pet waste is also a significant source of pathogenic bacteria especially E. coli. as well as various parasites that can be harmful to human health. 

But it’s just a small amount of poop right? Think again. The next time you think about leaving a little bit of poop behind, consider that the average dog produces 247 pounds, or about 112 kilograms of feces every year. I can’t imagine that any of us would want to have 112 kilos of poop in our yard just sitting around.  

So, bottom line, one of the most environmentally friendly things you can do with your dog is to clean up the poop and dispose of it properly. Put it in a compostable poop bag that is biodegradable and will leave zero waste. 

But what about the cat? 

When it comes to cats by far the most important aspect of sustainability is to pay attention to the type of litter you purchase. The standard fall back inexpensive cat litter that most people use is made of clay. This stuff is actually horrible for the environment from start to finish. 

Now, this is a point where I am once again going to have to admit that I am not perfect. My cat spends a lot of time outside and she always has since she showed up as a stray. But, when I travel I sometimes take her along and she stays indoors. Consequently I have to purchase cat litter and I typically purchase the standard clay litter.  I actually did not know just how bad this stuff was for the environment until I looked it up. Now that I know I am certainly responsible for changing yet another bad habit that I have that is not environmentally friendly. I am getting there one by one. 

So allow me to share what I learned.  

Clay cat litter was first produced in the mid 20th century. Since that time, it has been produced using various methods, all of which are harmful to the environment. The most common method of harvesting clay is open pit mining. Large clay deposits are often in close proximity to a water way. After the harvest is complete, often little to no effort is made at environmental reclamation. Consequently,  the mining of the clay resulted in extensive environmental damage, deforestation, contamination of rivers, lakes and streams, and habitat loss. Furthermore clay is not a renewable resource. Cat litter produced from clay is not biodegradable and will sit in the landfill for thousands of years So, you can rest assured that the cat litter you threw out 20 years ago is still there. But then again, the disposable diapers your mother threw out when you were an infant are still there as well.  

At least for me, now that I know this about something as simple as cat litter, I will never look at it the same way. But this information will certainly influence what I choose to purchase. 

The simply solution to this problem is to purchase somethings that is biodegradable. And since we live in the age of information, I did a quick internet search.  I found 6 products that were highly rated for absorbency, odor elimination, easily available, affordable and sustainably produced. 

Summary

So to close out this first episode on the carbon paw prints of our pets, we have covered two of the most important aspects, which is what you are feeding them and what comes out the other end. Because we are feeding carnivores that live in our houses and yards, we do have to be mindful of their environmental impact. Hopefully you now have an appreciation of the extent of that impact of this part of our lives. Furthermore, I hope that this information will inspire you to change. 

One of my favorite parts of producing episodes on sustainability is when I learn something new and even expose my own faults. As long as I have been living the way that I do, I still learn new things and obviously my own journey toward sustainability is a work in progress.  

In the next episode I am going to cover several other topics. I am going to discuss environmentally friendly pet products including proper parasite control, why regular grooming and bathing is environmentally friendly, using natural cleaners for those unexpected messes, and lastly I am going to talk about a couple of very important sustainable practices with pet ownership that most people never even think about. And I am going to round out that episode with a discussion on how we can change.  

In the mean time, until next week, I want you to keep a couple of things in mind. Owning a pet is truly a privilege not a right. Our pets are a huge portion of our lives. I know having dogs and cats have personally brought me some of the greatest joy and greatest sadness in my life. But it is my choice to continue to have them. But, it is our responsibility to properly care for them. And it is also our responsibility to reduce their carbon paw prints just as we would do for any other part of our lives.

I truly acknowledge the fact that we are now living in some exceptional times. But we must all do our part. Just remember in your own personal journey we do not need a few people who are perfect at zero waste. What we need are millions of people doing it imperfectly. Because that means we are all trying. 

I hope you will join me next week for part two of sustainable pet ownership. And don’t forget to take advantage of the resources section of this episode. Until next week, this is your host Patrick signing off. Always remember to live sustainably because this is how we build a better future.  

Resources

Pet Sustainability Coalition

Sustainable Pet Foods

The Best Sustainable and Ethically Produced Dog Foods

Eco Friendly and Organic Dog Foods

9 Tips for Sustainable Pet Ownership

The Zero Waste Pet

Do You Scoop the Poop

Simple Ways to Live More Sustainably With Your Pets

Purina News Center: Sustainability