Carbon Footprint of Pets

While we, as humans, negatively impact the environment by producing harmful greenhouse gases both directly and indirectly through our activities and purchasing choices, our pets actually do, too. This negative impact, known as a carbon footprint, is something that all living creatures produce to a certain degree. Surprisingly, pets have a significant carbon footprint, although you can mitigate Fido's environmental impact by making environmentally conscious choices for him.

  1. Carbon Footprint

    • The amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, produced by your cars, yourself, the products that you purchase and the manufacturing process used to produce them, all make up what is known as your carbon footprint. These gases have a negative impact on the environment, contributing to pollution and climate change, according to the Guardian. Keep in mind that harmful gas emissions are even produced by farm animals used for meat production and by vehicles used to transport products, including food. Any time you buy any products, you create a carbon footprint for yourself. Your pet, too, depending what you buy for him.

    Environmental Impact of Pets

    • According to a study published in the October 2009 issue of "New Scientist," a dog has the carbon footprint equivalent to around twice that of a sport utility vehicle, while a cat has a carbon footprint of a small car, reports ABCNews.com. The authors of the study also calculated the global impact of the pets in terms of how much land is necessary to sustain them based on their diets. They discovered that dogs require around 2.1 acres, cats need around 0.37 acres and hamsters need around 0.03 acres, reports CarbonOn.me. This is significant in that a typical dog in the United States actually has a larger impact on the environment than a citizen of countries including Vietnam, Haiti, Laos or Ethiopia, according to a 2004 study by RedefiningProgress.org.

    Pet Carbon Footprint Factors

    • The carbon footprint of your pet is based on many factors. These factors include the greenhouse gases emitted during the production process of your pet's food, the animals that provide the meat in his food, the transportation of his food and even his own waste products. Dogs are omnivores who need meat-based proteins in their diets, although they can eat from a primarily vegetarian menu, which has a lower impact on their carbon footprints, recommends CarbonOn.me. Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores and require meat in their diets. Pet waste contributes to landfills and pollutes the environment, contributing to a pet's carbon footprint. Outdoor cats can endanger local wildlife, also increasing their environmental impact.

    Reducing Carbon Footprint

    • Look to reduce your pet's carbon footprint by purchasing organic ingredients for him when possible. Feed him a diet with protein as the primary ingredient, rather than a byproduct, which helps him to produce less waste, recommends AnnArbor.com. Grow your own produce for vegetarian pets like rabbits. Switch your cat over to biodegradable litter and use biodegradable bags to collect your dog's waste. Purchase pet toys made from renewable materials like hemp and use ceramic or stainless steel dishes to feed your pet. Spay or neuter your pet to prevent him from producing unwanted babies. Keep your cat indoors to reduce his impact on local wildlife. Don't allow exotic pets to escape; these unusual species can wreak havoc on your local area's ecosystem.