Earth Day is just around the corner: it’s coming up April 22nd. With climate change and environmental concerns in the news almost daily now, this is a great time to take a look at your lifestyle and habits, and see what you can do to reduce waste. Why not try to ‘green’ your pet care routine? A local Burlington, ON vet offers some tips on how to do that below.

Donate

Is your cat ignoring that pricey cat tower you bought her? Does Fluffy walk past her plush pet bed and sleep in a paper bag instead? Donate unused items to shelters or animal charities.

Upcycle

Another thing you can do is look at ways to reuse old items. You may be surprised at how many things can be repurposed as pet products! You can upcycle an old stepladder into a cat tower, turn a T-shirt into a rope toy for your dog, or make a hard-shell suitcase into a cute kitty bed. Look online for ideas and instructions.

Cleaners

Our furry pals are adorable, but they aren’t always the neatest roommates. Opt for eco-friendly cleaning agents for picking up spills. You may also want to switch from paper towels to reusable microfiber cloths. (Bonus: this will also save you money!)

Product Choices

When you shop for your pet, get into the habit of checking labels. Choose products that use sustainable resources. Also, when you can, try to buy things that were made locally. This not only supports businesses in your community, it also preserves resources, by reducing the distance products are transported. Also, opt for biodegradable kitty litter and trash bags.

Buy In Bulk

Another thing you can do is buy things like litter and dry food in bulk. You’ll use less packaging and save yourself some money. There is a bit of a sweet spot here, however. You don’t want to buy too much kibble, as it may spoil before you use it.

Spay/Neuter

Pet overpopulation is a huge problem, and is one of the main reasons so many homeless pets are euthanized each year. Make sure your furry pal doesn’t contribute to the issue by having unwanted litters.

Pup Pickup

Dog feces are a major source of water contamination. Be sure to pick up after your pup!

Please reach out to us, your Burlington, ON vet clinic, today. We are here to help!