1. Food
Let’s start with one of the basics - dog food. Depending on your preferences, values and wallet, you might want to opt for food that has a lower environmental footprint, and that is eco-friendly in one way or another. Try looking for food that is produced using renewable energy, vegan or vegetarian food, grass-fed beef, organic, or locally produced food (or a mix).
Thoughts on vegan/vegetarian dog food
Just like our food, the dogs food will have a smaller or bigger environmental footprint depending on the diet. A diet containing more plants and less animal products has a lower environmental footprint. Many people (as I did) believe that dogs are carnivores (meat eaters), as their ancestors are wolves. Technically, they belong to the order Carnivora, (together with Pandas who eat mostly bamboo), but they are actually omnivores - which means that they are able to get all the nutrients they need through a plant based diet. These articles describe how dogs are able to keep a vegan or vegetarian diet, but they both note that it should be done under supervision of a veterinary nutritionist in order to feed the dog everything it needs.
So! If you do your research, its possible to have a vegan or vegetarian dog. I know a few people who feed their dogs a vegan diet - and they have all had really good results, and felt like their dogs became healthier and more energized! Thats pretty cool. Currently, my puppy is very picky about his food, and he didn’t want to try the vegan food I mixed in with his other food, but maybe I will consider it with time. Right now I feel more secure with him eating the puppy feed I got from the vet (Eucaneuba), but after knowing your animal for a while, a switch might be doable - and be better for the dog and the planet!
Vegan/vegetarian dog food
Organic dog food
Yarrah is a brand of organic dog food - with meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan.
Newman’s Own Organics doesn’t contain GMOs and is produced without the use of herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilizers, or chemical additives or preservatives.
Organix: This brand of pet food is made in the U.S. and is the only complete line of USDA organically certified pet food. It is free of allergens such as corn, wheat, or soy, and is created without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, antibiotics, or artificial preservatives.
I and Love and You: This pet food line uses natural ingredients that contain no grain allergens such as corn, wheat, soy, or fillers like rice and white potatoes and no artificial flavors, colors, artificial preservatives, or by-product meals.