10 Top Tips for Eco-Friendly Pet Ownership

Today's guest contributor Dr Kersti Seksel, President of the Australian Companion Animal Council and leading veterinary animal behaviourist recommends 10 top tips for an eco-friendly pet.

1. Keep your cat inside at night
While the majority of cat owners are not required by law to keep their animal inside at night, they are encouraged by Council to do so. This will protect both the native wildlife and your cat. The majority of car accidents and cat fights that injure cats occur at night.

2. Clean up after your dog
To prevent environmental pollution and prevent the spread of infection, use a poop scoop or a bag to pick up the faeces. You can then place it any street litter bin.

3. Train your dog to obey you on cue
Teach your dog to sit, stay and come. If you are in a sensitive environment, being able to trust that your dog will understand and listen to you is crucial. It will also benefit their safety.

4. Keep your dog on a leash when walking in bush land
While walking in bush land, it’s important to keep your dog on a leash and use the stated walkways. This will help protect the native flora and fauna in the area.

5. Use recycled paper for cat litter.
Your local supermarket will stock at least one or two different brands. The best are made from 100% recycled paper, and processed into 100% biodegradable, environmentally safe, pelleted paper products, with no additives or chemicals.

6. Use targeted flea control products that minimize any impact on the environment.
With the newer oral and topical systemic treatments and products on the market, flea control is becoming much safer, more effective and more environmentally friendly than ever before.

7. Consider using alternatives to plastic bags for picking up after your dog
You can also consider recycling plastic bags that would normally go straight into the bin i.e.: bread bags, fruit and veggie bags, chip bags, dog food bags, cereal bags and then newspapers, or paper doggy bags.

8. Use biodegradable doggy bags.
These are readily available from supermarkets and your local pet store.

9. Keep your cats and dogs out of National Parks.
It’s prohibited under the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act to have a pet in a national park, let alone off a leash. But dogs and cats can’t read signs, so it’s up to you as an owner to be responsible.

10. Be aware of pet accessibility in State Parks and Marine Parks.
While most state and marine parks do not allow pets in parks, state forests do but only if on a leash and controlled.

The most important aspect of caring for your pets and the environment is that you take responsibility for doing the right thing – and that includes researching the most socially responsible options for your particular circumstances.