How Owning a Pet Impacts the Environment
Owning a pet has been a long-drawn tradition passed down through generations of animal lovers. Since the Middle Ages, having canines, birds, snakes, fish, horses, and other animals as companions has been considered a norm. Owning a pet allows people to form life-long bonds as they merge into families as irreplaceable members of one’s household. However, many people are not aware of the environmental impact that owning pets can have.
Factories responsible for pet food production utilize a significant amount of agricultural resources, such as livestock (for meat-based food products), water, land, and agriculture, which can negatively impact the environment on a larger scale. It is important to note that livestock, in particular, often contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, pet food production outlets are usually responsible for packaging products in plastics, metal cans, aluminum foils, and styrofoam — all of which are non-biodegradable and toxic to the physical environment. Various pet products, such as toys and shampoos, also contribute to land pollution as they can generate approximately 300 million pounds of plastic waste in North America alone. Additionally, the overall energy invested in manufacturing pet products, their transportation facilities, and the temperature controlling their respective habitats can place a strain on the environment.
Moreover, if not properly disposed of regularly, pet waste can contribute to the release of toxic pathogens in the general atmosphere. For instance, dog feces can result in harmful bacteria and parasites in the soil and water systems, affecting both wildlife and human health.
Similar to the concept of a human being’s carbon footprint — the total amount of greenhouse gasses that are generated by human actions — a water footprint measures the freshwater consumed directly or indirectly for various activities. Larger pets, such as horses, have significantly greater water needs for daily consumption, bathing, and other care requirements.
However, staying informed regarding these aspects of raising a pet includes being aware of these aforementioned factors and consciously incorporating certain habits into one’s lifestyle to reduce the impact on the environment.
