Do you have an eco-friendly cat? Have you ever considered how your cat impacts the environment? Many of us humans do our best to reduce, re-use, and recycle in order to help the planet and combat climate change. But pet parents often find it hard to extend their green lifestyle to their kitties.
Buying cat products can be a big part of the annual cost of caring for a cat. The good news: it takes just a few minutes to choose an eco-friendly option for each aspect of your feline’s life.
Here are 10 easy steps to an eco-friendly cat. Follow these simple tips to reduce your cat’s carbon footprint (or should I say, pawprint). We have included links to the recommended products on Amazon. Home Garden and Homestead is an Amazon affiliate, and we receive a small commission. Thanks for supporting this website!
1. Buy eco-friendly cat toys
Look for toys made from natural or recycled materials and/or those that can be composted or recycled after use.
These felted wool balls and mice are hand-made by artisan women of Nepal and are sold by Earthtone Solutions, which is proud to support this sustainable effort to help empower these women. Check out these other eco-friendly cat toys.
2. Purchase pet food and other products in bulk
Reduce excess packaging and trips to the store by buying cat food in bulk. You can also take advantage of bulk discounts and free shipping offers by purchasing in larger quantities. This also saves on extra packaging and waste materials that come from buying smaller-sized food products.
To keep that bulk food fresh longer, store them in an air-tight container.
3. Feed your cat organic foods
Choose cat food brands that are certified organic that are produced without synthetic pesticides or genetically modified ingredients. If you can, pick flavors that are lighter on the Earth too, such as chicken over beef.
Check out the selection of organic cat food.
4. Spay or neuter your cat to prevent overpopulation.
You can help control the homeless cat problem and its impact on songbirds. Just do the responsible thing and spay or neuter your eco-friendly cat. Do it as soon as your feline is old enough for the operation.
5. Use environmentally friendly cat litter.
While no method of cat litter disposal is perfect, there are some that are chemical-free and kind to your kitty’s paws and your nose. One of the latest developments is tofu-based cat litter.
This eco-friendly cat litter is made from natural plant ingredients, and it dissolves in water so it’s flushable. You can also try out litters made from walnut shells, sawdust, bamboo, and wheat. Some cats about their litter, so may need to trial a few to find the right one.
6. Have kitty slumber in comfort and style.
Cats love to curl up in a small, protected space. The wool cat cave and bed is so snug, you’ll want to climb in and join your feline inside on a cold winter’s night.
This organic wool cat cave is made from premium organic New Zealand wool, so it is hand-washable. And we are sure your cat is going to love it.
7. Give them green treats.
My cats love these green treats. They have a great green color and they are environmentally friendly.) The Feline Greenies Smartbites Hairball Control treats are made with natural ingredients. They were created by veterinarians to help aid in healthy digestion.
8. Donate your unused cat gear.
Let’s face it, cats outgrow or get tired of old toys. When that happens, give the old toys a new life by sharing them with a local animal shelter. You can also donate lightly worn sheets, pillows, and towels. Before you make a trip to drop the items off, ask your neighbors to donate pet items as well to support a shelter near you.
9. Grow your own grass.
Cat grass is a favorite of many indoor felines. You can purchase a packet of organic cat grass seeds and easily grow your own cat grass.
Cat grass is easy to grow in a pot in a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. Cats love to graze on these fresh greens!
10. Scratch that itch.
Instead of buying a traditional carpet-covered cat scratching post, look for eco-friendly cardboard scratching pads. These pads are made from recycled paperboard.
Recycled cardboard scratching pads are non-toxic and free of formaldehyde. They also come with a packet of organic catnip to rub on and attract your kitty so they won’t scratch your good furniture.
Your eco-friendly cat is going to love all of this environmentally friendly pampering. And by choosing sustainable pet products and buying only what your cat needs, you can help make our planet a more sustainable place.
Want to know more about keeping your cat happy? Read our 10 Best Cat Care Tips.
About the author:
Kathy Jentz is the Editor/Publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine. She also has fun sharing photos on her Cats in Gardens blog (catsingardens.blogspot.com).
I use pine pellet litter as I feel it is eco friendly. it does not clump, but I think any litter that clumps must have something not so great in it to make it clump. I scoop it out with a large slotted scooper that allows me to shake the used stuff (that breaks down to damp sawdust texture) through and save the solid pellets. I toss the used litter over the grass to dispose of it and wonder if cat urine provides nitrogen for the grass. I can’t stand the idea of that clay stuff going anywhere – YUK.