5 Sustainable Dog Products to Try, According to a Vet

We put a lot of focus on the products we buy and the food we eat—but how about our pets? We just launched our Sustainability Trends Report, and one thing that’s on the rise in 2022 is sustainable pet parenting as conscious consumers look to reduce the carbon pawprint of their furry friends.

In this episode of Good Together, Laura Wittig, Brightly’s founder and CEO, discussed eco-friendly pet parenting with Dr. Rory Cowlam of @RoryTheVet. The UK-based veterinary surgeon has made it his mission to make both his practice and home more sustainable, and he shared plenty of tips that will help you do the same.

Pet products tend to be just as wasteful as those made for their human counterparts, be it plastic shampoo bottles, squeaky toys, or even poop bags. As you’re thinking about swaps to make, Dr. Cowlam says to consider switching to sustainable dog products. Here are five easy items to start with.

5 Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Dog Products to Try

1. Eco-Friendly Rubber Dog Toy, $16

Many dog toys aren’t exactly eco-friendly. Luckily, Dr. Cowlam has noticed brands starting to use more renewable and natural materials to make them.

“I have a box of toys next to me right now, and if I go through that, it’s all eco-based. There’s a load of bamboo products, such as chew toys,” he says. He also has plenty of dog toys made from natural rubbers, like the option above.

“It’s a really exciting time in that sphere because there’s a real demand for these products, and there are companies really answering this call,” he says.

2. Pet Shampoo Bar, $16

If you love using shampoo bars yourself, there are now options for your pup, too. In fact, it’s the only type of shampoo Dr. Cowlam has in his eco-friendly home.

“I started using soap bars and shampoo bars last year, and honestly, I don’t even look back. It’s so easy,” he says. “It’s so nice as well not having all that plastic in the shower.”

3. Grass Puppy Pad, $30+

Instead of traditional puppy pads——which generally use a plastic liner—Dr. Cowlam says to try an eco-friendly grass pad. After researching an alternative for his new puppy, he discovered this much more sustainable option.

“We put a piece of turf in a cardboard box outside the front door,” he says. “It’s even better because they don’t get used to peeing on the pad on the carpet, so they don’t get that association. And it’s completely natural.”

4. Bamboo Dog Bowl, $14

Many dog bowls are made from plastic or metal, but Dr. Cowlam recommends going for a bamboo option. Instead of sticking around for years like plastic, bamboo can be composted when produced sustainably, as it’s 100% biodegradable.

5. Biodegradable Poop Bags, $8

Biodegradable or compostable poop bags are great alternatives to the plastic varieties that sit in landfills forever.

“They’re so well produced. And once you start using them, you won’t go back—I promise you,” he says. “It’s so much better for the environment. It’s so much less single-use plastic.” You can also find plastic-free poop bag dispensers.