In our own little way, we all want to help the environment. It may think that what we do is nothing compared with the huge amount of garbage thrown daily. However, this is not the case. A little influence in others can go a long way.

Also, take into account all the waste a dog will have in its lifetime and you won’t think it’s nothing anymore. One dog can poop as much as 9,100 times and if we put it in a plastic, it will go to the dump and stay there for years and years to come.

So how can we help? I listed five easy things we can do to become an eco-friendly dog owner.

1. Consider flushing dog waste instead of throwing it into the trash. Did you know that dog poop is 4% of the total landfill?

This is a huge percentage if we think about the impact this will make on our environment. Flushing it however will allow the dog waste to be biodegraded properly. Since trashes in landfills are very compact, there’s not enough oxygen for garbage to biodegrade.

Another thing to think about is the bacteria from dog waste that will be around us if we just throw it in the garbage can.

2. Use environment friendly items. Ever since we became more conscious about our surroundings, lots of products have been invented to save our planet. Dog beds, toys, collars; all these are easily found in stores.

We could also recycle things in your house that you have no longer use. Take for example, a baby’s toy or something in the attic that a dog may be able to play with.

3. Buy organic dog foods. These kinds of food are natural and contain no preservatives and chemicals that could, in the long run, be harmful to your dog. There are some brands specializing in organic dog food so you can look for these the next time you want to buy dog food.

You might think twice about buying these because of the higher price, but when it comes down to it, your dog becomes healthier
Compost your dog’s waste.

4. While not everyone will buy poop bags just to flush the waste, owners can help by composting it. Although it is not advisable to place it in a compost pile or on your garden, there are some ways to assure yourself that the germs won’t affect you.

Worms are probably the best way to clean up dog waste since worms eat it, at the same time, enriching the soil.

5. Adopt a dog. There are animal shelters where you can adopt a clean, trained dog. While it is okay to buy one from a pet store, sheltered dogs are more in need of help. Without sacrificing anything, you have helped an animal in need.

These easy steps will go a long way, especially if we get other people to join. Think about the effects on the environment, and we’ll be happy we did it.
dog health