The Best & Worst of Zero-Waste: Companion Animal Edition
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."
-Socrates
The Best of Times
Package-free shampoo bar. Despite the fact that I gave up plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles years ago, I hadn't done the same for my dog. Honestly, I didn't know there were really any options for that. And while I'm perfectly fine with testing out DIY hair concoctions on myself, I'm less willing to try those on my fur baby. However, as I was perusing around on Earth Hero one day, I found myself looking at zero-waste companion animal products. At the sight of the Natural Dog Company's package-free, vegan, cruelty-free shampoo bar, I knew I had a new option for keeping Jolie's coat soft and shiny. With a hypoallergenic formula made for sensitive skin, this is a great alternative to the standard plastic bottles used for bathtime. (Though I can't guarantee your pup will enjoy the experience any more than normal -- despite her fearless voyages into the ocean waves, Jolie is still terrified of taking baths.)
Healing balms. One of the greatest feelings in the world is being able to take care of an animal and reduce their pain. Jolie often goes on long walks on paved paths or on the beach, and I noticed that the pads of her paws appeared to be quite dry; she also began avoiding the walking path, often opting to walk on the grass beside the path instead, something she had never done before. I have started using this paw soothing balm on her feet, as well as on the skin of her armpits and elbows that sometimes chafe during sandy beach walks. In addition to this balm, Natural Dog Company also makes balms and waxes for dry snouts, sensitive skin, and heat protection. All of their balms and shampoos are cruelty-free and vegan.
Homemade toys. Jolie is a tough chewer; even the "indestructible" toys eventually give in to the strength of her jaws. Because of that, there's nothing (I know of) that I can make myself that could stand up to her insatiable desire to destroy her toys. However, for the casual chewers, DIY-ing toys is not only fun but is also a rewarding experience, creating a potentially lifelong toy for your animal companion. Some toys to try are an old tennis ball tied in a tube sock (Jolie destroyed the two I made for her within five minutes of bringing her home from the shelter -- thank goodness she doesn't do that to the furniture); an old plastic water bottle tied in a tube sock for the crackly sound dogs love; or an old t-shirt tied into knots for chasing and tugging.
If you're looking for homemade toy and treat ideas for various kinds of animals, I'd recommend Tracey Stewart's beautifully-illustrated book, Do Unto Animals.
Repurpose old things. Jolie can tear a squeaker out of almost any toy. Instead of just getting rid of them, I started saving them with plans to use them in homemade toys for my future adoptees. When I worked at a doggy daycare, we had a pair of dogs whose beds were specifically designed to be stuffed with the parents' things (clothes and towels and such) because dogs feel comforted by the parents' scent, especially when they are staying in an unfamiliar place. At home, I often lay out my clothes on beds and couches because Jolie likes to lay on them. Instead of buying brand new dog beds, you could make them at home with old towels, rags, and t-shirts. While these are just two examples of repurposed products, there are many ways to find new ways to use old things.
Eco-Friendly Toys. If you don't have the time or materials to make toys yourself, the third-best option is to buy from eco-friendly businesses. (Look below for the second-best option!) Beco Pets is a PETA-certified cruelty-free company, and their products come shipped package-free (from Earth Hero); use sustainably-harvested, BPA-free rubber; and their products containing plastic are made of recycled water bottles. Ware of the Dog makes hand-crocheted toys from 100 percent organic or recycled cotton with non-toxic dyes. (However, some of their toys do contain plastic squeakers.) There are other options, but be sure to always check the materials before purchase, as many toys -- cat toys, in particular -- contain wool and other animal products.
Homemade food & treats. It's nearly impossible to get companion animal food without plastic. Treats and kibble are always in a plastic bag, which leaves you only with wet food options. By making food at home, you get to decide exactly what ingredients to use. However, when it comes to homemade food, you should always use the Vegedog/Vegecat supplement, which does, unfortunately, come in a plastic tub (like those used for protein powder). But these containers last far longer than any bag of food and can be washed and repurposed afterward, which, in my mind, makes them a better alternative.
Compostable poop bags. What goes in must come out. Though you may still be throwing these poop bags in the garbage, compostable bags are made from biodegradable plant-based materials. And any less plastic on the planet is always a good thing! However, you should always beware of greenwashing companies whose products may be only biodegradable (which I'll discuss later), can only be composted in industrial facilities (which is fine if you live somewhere with a composting pickup service), or are cheaply produced in other countries. Beco Pets makes home-compostable poop bags, and BioBags makes industrial-compostable ones.
Poop compost book. If you're looking to start composting your animal companion's waste at home, then check out The Pet Poo Pocket Guide: How to Safely Compost and Recycle Pet Waste. (The book is printed on recycled paper and with plant-based inks.) Most composting guides advise against using feces in your home composts, but those guides are also generally made for gardeners that plan to use the compost to grow fruits and vegetables. But if you're just composting to prevent food waste ending up in landfills or for gardening inedible plants, then poop composting becomes a viable option.
Leashes, collars & harnesses. There are many options for these products: recycled plastic, organic hemp and cotton, even reclaimed rope! You can check out some of Earth Hero's brands for dogs here and for cats here.
Plastic-free catnip & alternatives. The brand Meowijuana offers catnip buds in a reusable glass jar or a reusable cigar box. While most of their products do come in plastic packaging, these particular items do not; their catnip is organic and grown in the US. I also came across an Etsy shop named PurrfectPlay with some cute plastic-free catnip toys, as well as MeowyJanes who sells catnip, catnip alternatives -- like matatabi chew sticks and silvervine powder -- and toys; and there are other Etsy sellers making similar homemade catnip and catnip-alternative toys. (Just be sure to check the materials of the toys before purchasing, as many "natural" toys contain wool and others may contain plastic.)
DIY kitty litter. I have never had a cat (which is why I predominantly focus on dog products and ideas) and can't claim that any of these DIYs will work for you and your cat, but I figure they're worth a shot. If they work, that's great, but if they don't, then at least you tried. Apparently, sawdust, mulch, dirt, or newspaper (mixed with baking soda to reduce smelliness) can be effective alternatives to traditional kitty litter, which is often rife with chemicals to reduce odor and is intended to be discarded after use. You can also thrift for a litter pan so you don't need to buy plastic ones. Or, if your cat's up for it, you can take them outside to do their business. For more information on homemade kitty litters, check out this article from Zero-Waste Nerd and this article from The Zero-Waste Pet.
Dental care. We all have to brush our teeth, and that's no different for our dogs and cats. Instead of buying a cheap plastic animal-specific toothbrush, you could use a children's bamboo brush. And instead of the icky toothpastes sold in stores -- almost all of which contain animal-based ingredients -- you could try some homemade recipes; coconut oil, in particular, is said to be very beneficial for keeping your dog's teeth and mouth clean. I've also heard that mixing one part coconut oil with one part baking soda works wonders as a toothpaste (which can also be used for humans). For now, Jolie and I are still using up our plastic toothpaste tube, but we will be switching to this afterward.
Buy lifelong products secondhand. After making things from what you already have at home, the next-best option is to buy secondhand. Crates/cages/tanks, beds, toys, food and water bowls, sweaters, harnesses/collars, leashes, etc. can all be thrifted for far less money than they'd cost new; and you're not paying for all the resources required to make a brand-new product. (From what I've heard, cats can be very particular about certain scents on their toys and furniture, so buying scratching posts, toys, beds, and other products secondhand may not always work.)
The Worst of Times
Wool toys. There are so many toys -- for cats, in particular -- that contain wool. For dog toys, it's generally used as a stuffing, and for cats, it's often made into woolly balls (like dryer balls) and felt-like, animal-shaped toys. While I won't go into the specifics here of why wool is so devastating to the environment, as well as a horrible industry to support for anyone that considers themselves an animal lover, you can learn more about the industry in "Proof That Wool is an Environmental Hazard."
Wool cat caves. Wool is also a common material used in cat caves, which are basically like enclosed beds with a small hole in the front. If your cat prefers the feeling of sleeping in a dark, enclosed space, try looking for cat caves made without wool or for other bed alternatives.
Biodegradable poop bags. When it comes to biodegradable products, there are virtually no regulations as to what "biodegradable" actually means. This is why you may see plastic soap bottles at the store labeled as biodegradable. The same goes for biodegradable poop bags; unless otherwise noted, these cannot be composted either at home or in an industrial facility, and will degrade basically the same as any other plastic poop bag. Companies use the "biodegradable" term, along with others like "natural" (discussed below), to make consumers feel better and maybe even pay a little more money for the same product. When it comes down to it, choosing compostable is always better.
Homemade ear cleaners. There is a lot of contradictory advice online about how to clean your companion animal's ears using homemade ingredients. However, with ears being as sensitive as they are, and with the average parent's lack of knowledge on what's best, I'd recommend sticking with purchasing a liquid ear cleaner for now. But to cut down on your use of disposable products, you can apply it using reusable cotton/bamboo rounds, as mentioned in Part 1. (And next time you're at the vet, ask your veterinarian about recommendations they may have for making an ear cleaning solution at home.)
"Natural" animal-based treats & toys. There is some serious humane- and greenwashing when it comes to companion animal products. They put animal-based foods in pretty packaging and call it "all-natural" to make it look like their products are more ethical and environmentally-friendly than other brands. However, if you look at the ingredients, it's clear that this is all just a lie. From when I've investigated some of the treats my dog-sitting clients have, here are some of the common ingredients: pizzles (literally bull penises), ears, and skin. And common chew toys are horns, antlers, hooves, and bones. There's nothing natural about these products; they're simply the leftovers from slaughtering animals for human consumption that humans don't want to eat. (Of course, they're always packaged in plastic too, so the only thing green about them is the ink they use on the label. Ironic, since green makes us think of plants, nature, and saving the environment.)
be conscious, be kind, be vegan
Related posts you may enjoy:
"The Best & Worst of Zero-Waste, Pt. 2"