How to Improve Your Pet’s Carbon Pawprint

With 2020 looking likely to be the hottest year on record, as predicted by meteorologists, global warming is coming to the boil.

Amid concerns around climate change, people are consciously looking to live a more sustainable life and to improve their impact on the environment – with 33%** of Britons becoming more aware of their environmental impact as a result of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Now more than ever, people are doing their bit at home to have a more positive impact on the planet; from recycling cans and bottles and replacing plastic bags with reusable cotton totes to switching to energy saving light bulbs.

However, while you might be doing your part to become an eco-friendlier household, there’s one member of the family who isn’t pulling their weight – in the form of your furry friends – your pets.

Luckily though, it’s easy to improve your pet’s paw print on the planet – without having to radically alter their lifestyle, or yours.

Rachel Andre, CEO of Sustainable cat litter brand Natusan said; “Pet owners might not realise it, but unintentionally, our animals and our habits surrounding them and their lifestyle can cause an adverse effect on both the environment and our poor pets.”

“Which is why making a conscious change can go a long way when it comes to improving your pet’s carbon pawprint; from switching to a sustainable, organic cat litter, to trying toys and bedding which are made of natural fibres – there are a variety of simple solutions to help matters.”

“At Natusan, we are always looking to help conscious cat parents and the environment. With an estimated 2 million tons of cat litter sent to landfill in the UK every year – our 100% natural, biodegradable and compostable litter has been purposefully designed not to end up in landfill – helping you to make a difference.”

Before we continue with the tips we would also like to offer all our readers a free bag of Natusan Cat Litter 10L, please enter the code KATZEN10L during checkout. Valid until the end of October.

So, for anyone wondering how they can help improve their pets carbon pawprint at home, sustainable cat litter brand Natusan is here to help with five top tips:

How can I improve my pet’s impact on the environment?

1. Repurpose cat waste

Did you know that regular non-clumping, mineral cat litter adds an estimated 2 million tons to landfill every year (yikes!). Not to mention the fact it’s also strip-mined, which is highly destructive for the environment.

Whereas there is actually a very simple solution, in the form of swapping to a sustainable, organic cat litter composed of renewable and recycled materials. Making this easy swap and opting for cat litter that’s better for both the planet and your cat’s health is a no brainer.

Andre continues; “With sustainability at the heart of Natusan, we also run a zero-waste tree planting programme in the capital, where we work with our partner, Trees for Cities

to plant a tree right here in the UK every time a customer subscribes to our Collect & Compost service. So you can be confident that your cat waste won’t cause any damage to the environment.”

2. Try natural toys and trade

Many might not realise, but you can actually get toys that are made from natural materials – and there are even cat toys filled with organic catnip. So try to purchase these over any plastic toys.

To reduce waste, choose quality over quantity with toys that you are certain your pet will enjoy. Cats get bored easily, so try swapping toys with a fellow feline friend instead of buying new ones. Whereas our canine companions can be very happy with their favourite toys that smell the same – meaning you don’t need to buy more. Ideal.

3. Go organic when buying bedding

Look to buy bedding and blankets which are made from natural fibers, grown organically and processed without harsh chemicals and dyes. Not only is this better for your pet’s health but the manufacturing carbon footprint will be considerably lower.

4. Greener grooming

Regular grooming helps to keep a pet happy and healthy – but be conscious when it comes to choosing products. Many pet shampoos and deodorising sprays are filled with non-biodegradable, toxic chemicals that are harmful to your dog or cat’s skin (and the planet) once washed away. Look to choose organic and natural shampoos which are free of dyes, nasties and parabens. It’s also worth opting for wooden brushes over plastic ones when you can.

5. Spay or neuter

Neutering is one of the most responsible things you can do as a pet parent, both for the planet and your pets health. Unwanted puppies or kittens that are not euthanised or adopted are often abandoned and become feral. In fact, it’s estimated that the feral cat population in the UK is as large as the current number of cats that have homes. In addition, there are over 69,000*** feral dogs in the UK.

Whereas, the good news is that there are significant health benefits that come from having your pet spayed or neutered. For example, spaying a female cat or dog before her first heat can greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer and eliminates the risk of it getting ovarian cancer.

To get a free sample of Natusan Cat Litter 10L, please enter the code KATZEN10L during checkout. Valid until the end of October.