Try a sustainable pet food brand for your cat or dog

Pet food is actually a larger contributor to greenhouse gas emissions than you might think. It makes sense when you consider that it’s heavy on meat, the food group associated with the highest emissions. Trying more sustainable pet foods can be a surprisingly effective way to make your lifestyle greener, often while feeding your furry friends a healthier diet.

More people are thinking about this though. According to 2024 market trends, plant-based pet food is a growing niche, with the report showing around 20% of consumers switching to options to improve sustainability

Additionally, a typical wet diet for a dog causes eight times moreCO2 emissions than a dry diet. That makes the first step to a more sustainable pet diet pretty simple: more dry, less wet. If your pet eats both, try switching up the proportions a little and see if they’re still happy.

Next, test out some of the growing variety of sustainable brands available. Many make an effort to be all-natural and nutrient-rich, giving your pet a potential health boost too. Some sustainable options make great sides or snacks, while others are formulated to be nutritionally complete.

There are many ways companies make the pet food production process more sustainable, from responsible sourcing to low-carbon transportation. Some use byproducts from human food production, or source from farms with regenerative agriculture. I recently ordered kibble for my cat from Planet Pet Society, a UK company that uses would-be food waste.

Meanwhile, using more plant-based or alternative proteins can dramaticallylower emissionscompared to traditional meat-based formulas while meeting nutrition needs. Emerging studies on meat-free pet diets show that such diets are just as healthy, and potentially even healthier, than traditional diets.

Chippin uses a sustainable dog food recipe that can conveniently be made into wet food by adding water | Source: Chippin

There are many more out there, especially as the sustainable pet food space grows, but here are a few climate-conscious brands to get you started.

• Chippinuses silver carp (an invasive species), spirulina algae, and cricket protein instead of traditional high-impact ingredients for its dog food, as well as recycled packaging.
• The Green Dog makes widely available, 100% nutritionally complete plant-based dog food.
• Only Natural Farms uses renewable energy and carbon credits to make storage and shipping of its dog and cat foods completely carbon neutral.

Remember to start small, since pets are sensitive to dietary changes. Swap one meal with a more sustainable alternative, and mix it in gradually. And for pets with special health or dietary needs, consult your vet before making any major changes.

Over time, even a partial switch helps. As more people choose greener food, companies are more likely to scale up sustainable production. So take a look at what’s out there—you might just find your pet’s new favourite food.