This year marks the 55^th anniversary of Earth Day. Since its founding in 1970, Earth Day has been observed every April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues. Most of us know what we can do to make the planet greener, but don’t realize that our pets can make a difference too. Dr. Ruth MacPete, aka Dr. Ruth “The Pet Vet,” shares some simple ways we can ensure our pets are living cleaner and greener.

Reduce Landfill Waste

People generate a lot of waste. Just think about the amount of trash your household makes every week. Anyone who has ever had a pet also knows that pets are messy too. Every year, 10 million tons of pet waste goes into landfills. Though we cannot reduce the amount of waste our pets produce, we can reduce the environmental impact.

If you live in a cat household, consider switching from clay-based litter to a biodegradable litter. Clay-based litter may be inexpensive, but it is not great for the environment. Sodium bentonite, its main ingredient, is obtaining using strip mining, which is energy-intensive, destroys habitats, and can lead to soil erosion and water contamination. Clay-based litter also contains chemical additives and is non-biodegradable, remaining in landfills forever. Biodegradable litter on the other hand, such as ökocat, is sustainably sourced from rescued wood and contains no synthetic chemicals, no toxic dyes, and no added artificial fragrances. It is even packaged in a fully recyclable paper bag. By switching to a biodegradable litter, you can cut down on the estimated 2 million tons of clay litter that end up in landfills every year.

For dog owners, instead of using regular plastic bags to pick up after them, switch to biodegradable bags. Biodegradable poop bags are made from plant-based materials and compostable. An even better option is to use an in-ground waste disposal system. In-ground waste disposal systems are mini septic systems that allow you to dispose of your dog’s waste right in your back yard. There are several companies that sell kits you can buy to create your own environmentally friendly dog waste disposal system.

Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute

It goes without saying that pet parents should and always, always, always pick up after their pet. Besides being extremely inconsiderate, leaving their pet’s waste behind can pollute water sources from runoff. It also paints all pet parents, including the responsible ones, in a negative light. Pet parents should follow the backpacker motto and “take only memories, leave only footprints (or pawprints).”

Buy in Bulk

Buying pet food and pet supplies in bulk not only saves money, but also cuts down on packaging waste, and conserves fuel and lowers emissions by eliminating extra trips to the store.

Buy Green

Your purchasing decisions can make a difference. Buy pet products made from recycled or sustainable materials. Nowadays it’s easy to find environmentally friendly leashes, collars, beds, and toys. You can even find stylish sustainable cat furniture. PetPals makes all kinds of eco-friendly cat trees and scratchers designed to provide your cat with a place to relax, hide, scratch, and play. Their Walk Up cat tree is handwoven with recycled paper rope that is decomposable and can go in your compost bin after plenty of usage. The durable cat scratching post is crafted with natural sisal rope to encourage healthy scratching. All parts can be replaced individually if needed to help reduce waste and prolong your cat tree’s longevity. PetPals even has a cat tree recycling program that not only helps the earth but helps local animal shelters and rescues.

Pet Overpopulation

Oopsies happen. To avoid unplanned litters, spay or neuter your pet to ensure that they are not contributing to the pet over-population problem. You can also donate your old towels, blankets to a nearby shelter. Shelters spend millions of dollars caring for homeless pets and your donations not only help you declutter, but also helps the shelter cut costs, and can give a shelter pet a cozy blanket to sleep on. If you have the time, consider volunteering at a nearby shelter.

Adopt a Shelter Pet

If you are thinking about getting a pet, don’t overlook your local animal shelter or pet rescue. There are lots of amazing animals that need a good home. While adopting one of these deserving pets may not lower emissions or save fuel, it can save a life.

Earth Month is a timely reminder that we’re all part of something bigger. Follow these tips to make your pet eco-friendlier. Our choices and our actions can be part of the problem, or part of the solution.

For more about pets and pet health, go to https://drruthpetvet.com/pet-tips/.

If you would rather hug your pet than talk to your partner after a stressful day then you’re not alone. A new global survey of over 30,000 pet owners, commissioned by Mars, the leading pet care business, and Calm, a leading mental health company, found that the majority of pet owners (58%) prefer to spend time with their pet when feeling stressed – more than those who say their partners (32%), family (23%), or even children or friends (both 18%). In fact, 83% of people surveyed believe their pet has positively impacted their mental wellbeing.

The global survey across 20 markets highlights the powerful ways our pets improve our mental health and wellbeing. From encouraging us to switch off in our day-to-day with breaks from screens, work and chores, to offering silent comfort when words feel too much, the findings paint a striking picture of how pets are helping millions of people around the world find peace in an always-on world.

Sometimes, it’s not what they do – it’s just that they are there. More than half of pet owners (56%) say their pets provide company without the need to talk during stressful times. While others find chatting to their pet a help – with nearly a quarter (23%) saying their pet provides a space for them to express worries or concerns without expecting a response. A huge 84% of pet owners say the simple presence of their pet is relaxing, offering a sense of calm that doesn’t require words or actions.  

“While we love our pets, we often don’t realise how much they give back,” said Dr. Tammie King, a specialist in human-animal interaction and Senior Research Manager at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. “Reframing your pet’s daily ‘interruptions’ as loving reminders to pause, breathe and be present can be a powerful wellness tool. Research shows that touch-based pet interactions can boost oxytocin levels in humans.⁽²⁾ The findings of this survey will help more people reflect on and acknowledge the little wellbeing moments pets nudge us towards on a daily basis.” 

A look, wag or a boop: the survey also reveals how our pets’ behaviours give us daily nudges towards better wellbeing habits:

• Stepping away from the daily grind: Almost eight in 10 (78%) say their pet reminds them to pause and take a break from work, chores or tasks, with 50% saying this happens daily – a gentle reminder to stop, breathe and reset
• Calming the mind: 73% of owners say their pet encourages them to stop overthinking or worrying – helping them feel calmer and more centred
• Time in the great outdoors: 73% of pet owners say their pet encourages them to spend time outside, turning walks with a pet into wellbeing
• Even screens take a backseat when pets are around: 77% say their pet encourages them to take a break away from screens – and for half (50%) it’s a daily reminder to unplug, a vital counter to constant scrolling and digital burnout 

Dr. Chris Mosunic, Chief Clinical Officer at Calm said: “We know that small, intentional moments of calm can have a big impact on our overall wellbeing, and our pets have an incredible way of guiding us there. A quick dog walk, or cat cuddle at our desk when they stroll in front of the screen, can provide a simple moment to reset and recharge. We’re proud to partner with Mars and bring this data to the forefront to highlight the potential of our bond with pets and help more people discover the wonderful wellbeing benefits our relationship with pets can bring.”

The survey marks the launch of a first-of-its-kind partnership between Mars and Calm which aims to explore and celebrate the deep connection between people and pets as a force for everyday wellbeing. Turning insight into action, Mars and Calm have teamed up to create new content to help support wellbeing while nurturing the bond with your pet. The Mars x Calm content collection is a series of pet-inspired content to help you relax, reflect and recharge. This is Calm’s first collection created just for pet lovers and inspired by the mutual relationship between people and their pets.

To celebrate the partnership, Mars and Calm are launching a social search to find touching stories from pet owners of their pets that showcase the power of the human-animal bond. Pet owners have the chance for their pets’ story to become the inspiration for exclusive Calm content later this year.*

As part of this search, Mars and Calm are launching My Pet Guru – an interactive quiz available on Kinship. The tool identifies one of six pet wellbeing superpowers based on responses to five simple questions, designed to help pet owners recognise and celebrate the unique ways their pets support emotional and mental wellbeing.

For more information on the Mars x Calm partnership, visit: kinship.com/petsandwellbeing .

New Curtin University research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife, ecosystems and climate.

While ecological damage caused by cats has been extensively studied, the new research found dogs, as the world’s most common large carnivores, present a significant and multifaceted environmental threat.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Bill Bateman, from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the research found that human-owned, pet dogs disturb and directly harm wildlife, particularly shorebirds, even when leashed.

“As well as predatory behaviour like chasing wildlife, dogs leave scents, urine and faeces, which can disrupt animal behaviour long after the dogs have left,” Associate Professor Bateman said. “Studies have found that animals like deer, foxes and bobcats in the US are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked, even in the absence of the dogs.”

Dog waste also contributes to pollution in waterways and inhibits plant growth, while wash-off from chemical treatments used to clean and guard dogs from parasites can add toxic compounds to aquatic environments.

“In addition, the pet food industry, driven by a vast global dog population, has a substantial carbon, land and water footprint.”

Associate Professor Bateman said addressing these challenges required a careful balance between reducing environmental harm and maintaining the positive role of dogs as companions and working animals.

“Dogs are incredibly important to people’s lives and their roles range from providing companionship to contributing to conservation efforts as detection dogs,” Associate Professor Bateman said. “However, the sheer number of pet dogs globally, combined with uninformed or lax behaviours by some owners, is driving environmental issues that we can no longer ignore.”

The study also sheds light on barriers to sustainable pet ownership, finding that while the dog food industry is a key factor in national sustainability action plans, only 12 to 16 per cent of dog owners are willing to pay more for eco-friendly pet food, largely due to rising costs. Additionally, a lack of awareness among owners about the impact of dogs on the environment compounds the issue.

“Many owners simply don’t realise the environmental damage dogs can cause, from disturbing wildlife to polluting ecosystems,” Associate Professor Bateman said. “Others may feel their individual actions won’t make a difference, leading to a ‘tragedy of the commons’ where shared spaces like beaches and woodlands suffer cumulative degradation.

Restrictive measures, such as banning dogs from sensitive areas are necessary for protecting vulnerable species but they are not a complete solution. “We are calling for a collaborative effort between dog owners, conservation groups and policymakers to develop strategies that balance pet ownership with environmental care.”

The paper, ‘Bad Dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs,’ has been published in Pacific Conservation Biology and can be found online here: https://doi.org/10.1071/PC24071.