A wise person once said that, “having an animal in your life makes you a better human.” I couldn’t agree more! Having a furry friend running around the house is a wonderful way to fill your home with love and joy. Studies have actually shown strong links between spending time with animals and experiencing less stress and more happiness!

As all of our fellow animal lovers out there know, it’s important to keep your pet’s favorite spaces clean and tidy – and take preventive action to keep your floors and fabrics clean while your fur baby runs around. It’s also important to show your furry friend love, whenever you can! In this post, I want to call out a few eco-friendly ways to spoil your pets. This way, you can make sure your sweet baby knows how much they mean to you – and you can join in the movement for a more sustainable planet at the same time! 

Here are a few ways to promote a zero-waste lifestyle while loving your pets to the fullest: 

Go for a Run or Walk Outside

What could be better than some time in the great outdoors? One of the best ways to spoil your pet is also one of the most classic – give them some time in the fresh air! Take your dog for walks on a regular basis, or go to a nearby park to play fetch and let your poochie run around in the grass (or sand). If you have a backyard, think about how you can keep it secure so that you can let your pup run free and get its energy out. Depending on your cat’s temperament, some felines might also love to roam around in the great outdoors if given the chance. Just be safe and take every care to protect your fur baby from danger! 

Some brands making environmentally friendly collars, harnesses, and leashes for doggos and kitties include Cranbery, Wild One, and Cycle Dog. 

Use Eco-Friendly Poo Bags and Litter Boxes

Long-time pet owners know that animals produce a lot of waste. Unfortunately, a lot of times cleaning up after a pet has meant turning to wasteful single-use solutions. Now, however, there are plenty of options that can make getting rid of your pet’s waste cleaner, easier, and more natural, including:

• Fully compostable doggie bags. Picking up after your dog doesn’t have to mean throwing away an endless deluge of plastic bags! One of our favorite brands, Unni, makes compostable poo bags that make cleaning up on walks an eco-friendly breeze. Other environmentally friendly bag brands include Beyond Green and BioBag. You could also skip the baggies and go for a reusable product such as a discreet, modern update to the classic pooper scooper. 
• Eco-friendly litter solutions. Does it feel like your cat goes through bag after bag of litter? A lot of kitty litter is bad for the environment – and not so great for your fur babies, either. Look for eco-friendly all natural alternatives like walnut-based, cedar chip, and grass seed litters, which have less environmental impact and which can generally be composted. 
• Eco-friendly bedding for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. Your little pets deserve a comfortable and eco-friendly home! Natural-fiber small pet bedding like that from CareFresh is one affordable option for keeping your pets clean and comfy. 

Look Into Sustainable Toys, Bowls, and Bedding

The best pets deserve the best goodies! Unfortunately, many products meant for animals are little better than single-use, breaking down after just a few days. Others are made from plastics and other materials that are less than environmentally friendly. Here are a few new options to look into the next time you want to spoil your pet: 

• Eco-friendly dog and cat toys. Instead of running to the store, consider upcycling old products around your house into fun, no-waste pet toys! You can find some great, inspiring guides here and here. When you’re looking for a new toy that’s sourced responsibly and which will provide tons of fun, consider an eco-friendly brand. For dog toys, consider games and goodies from Planet Dog, Cycle Dog, or Noggins and Binkles. For cats, consider a ball of sustainably sourced alpaca fur instead of conventional string, an endlessly entertaining game from SnugglyCat, or one of Catster’s favorite eco-friendly cat toys. You can make fun zero-waste toys for small pets from items you might already have around your property, such as pine cones or corn cobs.
• Sustainable grooming. When you look for pet grooming boutiques and stores near you, be sure to ask about their products and methods. Look for shops that offer green grooming services. Around the house, plenty of brands are offering more sustainable pet grooming products, including Best Friend Beauty, Only Natural Pet, and Earthbath, to name just a few. 
• Environmentally friendly pet beds. Luxurious and eco-friendly pet beds are within reach! Some brands making incredible, sustainable beds include Whom, West Paw, Muttropolis, Greener Pup, Harry Barker, and Big Shrimpy, to name a few, 
• Eco-friendly treats and goodies. Do you love to spoil your pet with tasty treats? Treats can be a great way to reward good behavior and show your love. For cats, consider environmentally friendly cat grass from The Cat Ladies, dental treats from Greenies, or a selection from Eco Dogs and Cats. For small pets like gbuinea pigs, consider all-natural foods like fruits, fresh veggies, or hay. For dogs, some environmentally friendly brands include West Paw, King Kanine, and Pet Naturals. 

Sweeping Dimensions: A Cleaning With a Conscience

Here at Sweeping Dimensions, we focus on handling all sorts of cleaning and housekeeping projects, so you can focus on the other things that matter most to you. We make a point of always having sustainable and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions on hand and ready to use.

The more people we can bring together in our mission for a greener world, the better off all of us will be! 

So, if you ever have a question about comparing cleaning products, or making a green switch in your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch – I am always happy to talk shop! At SDCS, we are sincerely passionate about these issues, dedicated to finding real solutions, and always eager to keep the conversation going.

Want to set up a green cleaning for your Chicago home? Don’t hesitate to reach out for your FREE service estimate!

Looking to exchange eco-friendly pet ideas, or share how you’re going to focus on sustainability this spring? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch via email or on social media to let us know your thoughts.