It is not immediately obvious that man's best friend has a negative eco-balance. After all, many people "got into dogs" because they enjoy the company of four-legged friends on walks in the countryside. Nevertheless, there are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to sustainable dog ownership.
Taking care of our beloved companions requires a certain amount of resources. As studies show, the carbon footprint of a dog is so high that you could fly to Mallorca for every year of the animal's life - but how does that happen and what can you do about it? We explain what is important in sustainable dog ownership.
Sustainable dog farming: no feed from industrial production
One reason for the negative carbon footprint of your four-legged friend is easy to identify. Industrial meat production is a climate polluter in all its aspects, from animal husbandry to the transport of the animals and the finished products. However, there are already start-ups that focus on sustainable dog farming and promote it with their products. They produce "meat" from insect protein, for example. Together with natural dry food, occasional vegetable meals and feeding leftovers that are not too salty or spicy, you can find a good compromise. It is also possible to cook a week's supply of dog food yourself and this can promote sustainable dog ownership, as you decide yourself what is processed.
Sustainable dog ownership: the poop bags
An important point in the topic of sustainable dog ownership is how to deal with dog excrement. Due to its composition, dog excrement is a burden on nature and the environment, not to mention public roads or well-kept green spaces. However, collecting dog excrement in accordance with the regulations is just as unsustainable - because the plastic bags pile up. On average, a dog owner uses about a thousand bags a year, and they end up in landfill, because neither the bags nor the poop are compostable. There are some alternatives, but they are not a perfect solution. On this point, owners need to assess for themselves what would be a viable path to sustainable dog ownership. You can do without the bags when walking in the forest, but not in residential areas.
Sustainable dog ownership: The plastic accessories
The "accessories" you need for your dog are numerous, pretty and - often not necessary. If you want to keep your dog sustainably, you don't need plastic equipment and supposedly useful care products with chemicals. In consultation with the vet, all that is really needed, apart from a collar or chest harness including a leash, is a brush or comb that suits the skin and hair type, and a well-tolerated shampoo. A lot of what is offered to dog owners in specialist shops may make masters and mistresses happy, but the dog will still prefer playing with a stick and the attention of its owners. In the course of sustainable dog ownership, the basket and blankets can also be made of natural materials and bought second-hand.
Sustainable dog ownership: Balancing the eco-balance elsewhere
Of course, despite sustainable dog ownership, a dog can never get by without consuming resources - just like humans. Nevertheless, it is worth the effort to initiate small changes. Even small things like going for long walks on foot, by bus or train instead of using the car can help. At NIKIN, we also try to make a difference with many small things. For example, we use very little paper, and if we do, then only tree-free paper. Our shipping from us to you is climate-compensated and we have an electronic company car. You can find out where else we save resources and how we live sustainabilityhere .
