How to Go Green With Your Dog This Earth Day
In 1970, inspired by student anti-war protests and a growing awareness of pollution and environmental damage, Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a national “teach-in” on the environment. The Senator was aiming to bring environmental issues to the forefront of the national agenda and on April 22nd, 1970, the first Earth Day took place! An estimated 20 million Americans participated in rallies, protests and events across the country, which has since expanded to a day that acts as a reminder of the importance of environmental protection and a call to action.
This year for Earth Day, let's get our four-legged furry friends in on the action! We can help cut back on our carbon paw print by practicing some ‘green’ strategies to help protect our planet. Check out these ideas on how to celebrate Earth Day with your dog.
Idea #1: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!
The three R’s can be put to good use when it comes to your dog and their supplies. Think about reducing your carbon pawprint by opting to bike or walk, air drying your freshly bathed pup instead of reaching for a blow dryer or use rags or recycled paper towels to clean up messes and cut down on paper products. Reuse your shopping bags to scoop the litter box or pick up poop from your yard. Recycle your gently used toys, towels, blankets and unexpired dog food that may be lying around and not being used.
Idea #2: Choose eco-friendly products!
When it comes to products for your dog, try choosing options that are natural and compostable such as biodegradable poop bags or collars and leashes that are made from natural fibers, like cotton or hemp. For toy options, look for ones that are made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials or make your own from recycled materials like socks or t-shirts! Got a sock that’s missing its partner? Or maybe it has a really big hole in the heel or the toe? Any t-shirts that don’t fit anymore? Have any fabric scraps just lying around? Perfect! Use these to DIY your own toys for your dog this Earth Day.
Idea #3: Turn your walk into a park clean-up!
Turn your usual walking route into a clean-up walk! You can double up on your to-do list on Earth Day by taking your dog for a walk to enjoy the outdoors while picking up trash to help the environment. If you live close enough to a park, reduce your carbon pawprint by walking to the park and then doing your loop to pick up trash. Don’t forget a trashbag and some gloves for your clean-up walk!
Idea #4: Make your own pet treats!
To help save on wasteful packaging that contributes to already overflowing landfills, make your own pet treats to skip any packaging. Choose sustainably-sourced ingredients (think pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes and apples!) and use reusable containers to store your homemade treats. This is also a great way to make sure your dog isn’t ingesting any questionable ingredients as well. As always, if you have any questions about ingredients you are using, talk to your veterinarian for advice!
Idea #5: DIY alternative cleaning supplies!
You can choose the option to go green with your cleaning supplies by swapping out your traditional cleaning products for DIY alternatives. You can easily mix up some simple and effective eco-friendly cleaner options with ingredients you probably already have at home:
Lemon juice
Baking soda
Vinegar
Castile soap
Citric acid
Borax
Hydrogen peroxide
You can head to Google and search for ‘DIY Green Cleaners’ to find what formulations work best for your cleaning needs.
Idea #6: Plant a pet-friendly garden!
You can help the environment by planting trees or a garden that is pet-friendly for your dog. Choose trees, flowers and herbs that are safe for your pets such as:
Catnip
Parsley
Oat grass
Wheat grass
Lemon grass
Valerian
This is a great way to help improve air quality, create shade for your furry friends and a sustainable way to provide a healthy snack too!
Idea #7: Get outside and embrace nature!
The best way to celebrate Earth Day with your dog is to just go outside! Embrace all that Mother Earth has to offer and do some outdoor activities with your furry friend. You can keep it simple with a walk, a dog park trip or a game of fetch or level up your outdoor adventure by going for a hike, camping or head to a dog-friendly beach. Just breathe it all in, let your paws feel the grass and take in all the sights and sounds the Earth has to offer us every day.
Celebrating Earth Day with your dog can be both fun and impactful. By implementing simple strategies like choosing eco-friendly products, cleaning up during walks and making homemade supplies, you and your pup can reduce your carbon pawprint to make a healthier planet while also strengthening the bond between you and your furry friend, making this Earth Day a truly meaningful experience.
Communing with nature is one of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day, so why not find your pup a daily dog walker to help with that! Going Mutts Pet Services offers daily dog walks, playtime, potty breaks and check-ins customized to your pets needs. We love finding the best walking routes and exploring the outdoors with new furry friends, so drop us an email at info@goingmuttspetservices.com or visit our website to let us know how we can help!
