Disclaimer: If you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
You and your dog can play a small but important role in improving the health of our planet by switching to a low carbon diet or supporting a food company making other sustainability choices as part of their model. commercial.
Going green in the food bowl is a giant step towards being kinder to our planet. Serving more plant-based protein and insect-based protein than traditional beef and poultry protein translates to less carbon monoxide, fewer trees cut down, less greenhouse gas emissions on the planet And much more. Consider that American dogs and cats rank fifth in the world for meat consumption, according to a 2017 study from the University of California, Los Angeles.
“We are entering an era of pet food that excites and fascinates me,” says Dr. Lindsey Bullen, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who practices at Blue Pearl Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary, NC. North. “Because I have two young children, sustainability is very important to me. I want the Earth here to be healthy for our children and their children and for the future. isn’t bad, but commercial meats can account for almost 60 percent of all greenhouse gases from food production, which account for one-third of all the planet-warming gases emitted by human activity. so many kinds of insects everywhere, and they are nutritious. It makes sense to look at bugs – yes, bugs – which leave a much smaller carbon footprint and are much cheaper to manufacture [food from] that our pets are not afraid to eat.
Businesses go green
At the end of 2020, Purina launched dog and cat food called Beyond Nature’s Protein which contains vegetable proteins (beans and millet) as well as insect proteins (black soldier fly larvae). The pet food company also partners with Reforest’Action so that a tree is planted to help with reforestation for each of these products sold.
In a press release, Bernard Meunier, President and CEO of Nestlé Purina Petcare, said: “With our new Beyond Nature’s Protein dry pet food, we offer a complete nutritious alternative to conventional products for dogs and cats, while taking care of the planet’s precious resources by diversifying protein sources.
The company Jiminy’s produces Good Grub dog food and worm protein training treats. “The larva (black soldier fly larva) is tiny, but it has a huge nutritional footprint,” says managing director Anne Carlson. “The larva is a complete protein, so your dog gets all the essential amino acids he needs for good health. Grub protein is highly digestible and rich in fatty acids, omegas, choline and vitamin B, as well as minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Small animals are more durable because they need less land and water, and you can’t get much smaller than crickets or grubs.
According to Anne, switching a dog from a chicken-based diet to an insect-based diet can save 480,000 gallons of water per year. Anne encourages pet owners to do their homework by examining the protein supply of insects.
“We use insects from North America, which allows us to better monitor how they are raised,” she says. “We hope to inspire more sustainability within the pet industry. Pet food that’s good for the planet shouldn’t be a luxury – we all need it.
In Clovermanufacturer of natural pet supplements since 1996, proudly publishes on its website that the Boulder, Colorado-based company has saved 99% of its carbon footprint with wind power in its office, reducing the consumption of water by 40% and sustainably manufacturing more than 35,000 eco-friendly products since 2020. It is also on track to earn B-Corporation certification for manufacturing climate-friendly products.
“Sustainability is woven into InClover’s DNA,” says Rebecca Rose, President. “The pet industry has a passion for pets, people and the planet. Collaboration throughout
the pet industry has allowed us to leverage our impact.
The logic of nature takes sustainability seriously in many ways. The company’s website devotes an entire section to how it practices clean energy, does its part to fight climate change, uses non-GMO millet and certified sustainable seafood, and uses bags of recycled kibble that uses less plastic.
“Nature’s Logic has achieved the industry’s first carbon neutral dispensing system and introduced certified neutral plastic packaging to the industry, allowing us as a brand to help offset the impact we have on the planet,” said David Yaskulka, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Mid America Pet Food (MAPF), which includes the Nature’s Logic brand.
Canidae is all about sustainability with its Canidae Sustain line of dog foods, featuring responsibly sourced protein (cage-free chicken and wild Alaskan salmon), ingredients from regenerative farming practices and 40% composite packaging of post-consumer recycled materials. There’s even a vet-formulated herbal option.
On a mission with the Pet Sustainability Coalition
The Pet Sustainability Coalition is taking a leadership role in this eco-friendly movement. This non-profit group partners with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, brands and retailers to share ways to address sustainability issues. This means a greater focus on producing pet food with quality by-products so that they are not thrown into landfills just to emit carbon dioxide and methane. PSC’s four-factor framework focuses on defining sustainable proteins that provide nutritional, animal welfare, social and environmental benefits.
These efforts are drawing applause from veterinary nutritionists like Dr. Bullen. “The by-products are absolutely edible,” she says. “Most of the nutrients are concentrated in the by-products. Specifically, I’m talking about the liver, kidneys, and spleen. Throwing only skeletal meat is very impactful. If we can find ways to use everything and alternative protein sources like insects, that’s a huge win for everyone and the planet.
Purina Beyond Canned Dog Food
InClover’s Jump for Joint Health Soft Chews
Canidae Sustain dog food
Nature’s Logic Peanut Butter Dog Treats