If you have a dog, and you care about the environment, there are things you can do to keep your pet happy and care for the environment at the same time. Here are a few tips.
- Use a door for your dog.
A doggie door will allow your dog to go outside when he needs to relieve himself. This way, you won’t have to put down newspapers or potty mats in the house.
- Use biodegradable waste bags.
Many people use plastic bags to put their dog’s droppings in. But plastic bags are not good for the environment. They take a long time to disintegrate, and they secrete harmful substances into the environment. There is a better alternative. You can buy biodegradable waste bags at the pet supply store. They are packaged in small containers that you can attach to the dog’s leash when you take him for a walk.
- Scoop the poop.
Yes, it is a dirty job, but you should never leave dog waste on the ground. It is considered a pollutant. It contains bacteria and possibly parasites that can get into sewer systems and water supplies if allowed to remain on the ground for a long period of time.
To make the cleanup easier, use a pooper scooper.
- Use stainless steel water and food bowls.
Most dog owners use plastic bowls. But dogs enjoy chewing on these items, and as a result, pet owners need to continually buy new ones, discarding the used bowls and adding to the already large amounts of trash in landfills. Instead, use a stainless steel bowl for your dog, one that he cannot chew.
- Recycle.
Many of the things pet owners buy for their dogs are recyclable, things such as cans, food bags and tags for doggie toys. So, be sure to put them into the recycle bin.
- Spay and neuter your pets.
At first glance, this may not seem like something that would have a big impact on the environment. But fixing your pet will help to prevent overpopulation, which can have a big effect on the environment.
Think about it – there are more than 78 million dogs in the United States, and they produce 10 million tons of waste every year. The amount of waste produced by just 100 dogs over the course of three days contains enough bacteria to close a bay and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it for swimming and fishing. So, population does matter.
Let your dog enjoy the environment and bring him to HHHHHBarney’s Ranch for a day or for an overnight stay and let him run around in our 4,000-square-foot outdoor dog run! Call us at (469) 273-1661 for more information.