If you're an eco warrior why do you have Spaniels?
From an American article, but you get the gist - One of the most obvious ways that dogs impact the environment is through their feces. Although placing the poop into a plastic bag for disposal is the right thing to do, it does have a harmful environmental impact.
You may think that leaving your dog poop to naturally decompose is an environmentally friendly solution. Wrong! Dog feces left to rot can damage ecosystems as they get washed into rivers and drains.
The dog waste bags that you deposit in dog bins typically end in landfill sites. In the US alone, dogs approximately produce the same amount of feces as 90 million humans, which equates to 5.1 million tons. Transportation and processing of waste on this scale require a significant carbon dioxide output.
Another problem with dog waste is that it can pollute nearby bodies of water. The USDA reports that it can deplete oxygen fish and other water-based life need to survive and lead to the growth of harmful algae.
The feces itself also contains a significant amount of methane, which is a pollutant gas.
Dog food.
According to Gregory Okin, a Professor at UCLA, the meat contained in dog food products is responsible for up to 30% of the environmental impact of American meat intake.
In pure meat terms, it is estimated that 32 billion pounds of meat protein are consumed by dogs each year in the US alone. Extrapolate this to the whole world, and that is a lot of meat consumption.
The meat found in premium dog foods is normally meat off-cuts designed for humans. Although many vets will recommend you use premium dog food products, as the meat used in these products typically enters the human meat supply chain, it contributes to a net increase in overall meat production.
Dogs benefit from the protein derived from poultry and beef cattle to build and maintain muscle growth. Meat protein is especially important during the growth phases and for highly active dogs.
However, the land, water, and food required to feed meat farming create a huge carbon footprint.
Most environmental scientists argue that reducing meat consumption is one of the most environmentally friendly steps you can take as a household. Unfortunately, owning a dog will make this shift very challenging.
The Dog Product Issue
Dog products, whether they be treats, toys, collars, bowls, grooming products, or beds, all require carbon inputs. For example, the extraction of raw materials, single-use plastic, or the carbon outputs in the processing and transportation of these goods around the world.
Many dog products are difficult to recycle so will also end up in a landfill.
You’ve probably worked out that dogs are not great for the environment.
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This is why I can't stand anyone that is a self appointed 'ECO' warrior or anything else. Much like Extinction Rebellion they are a hypocrites and and whilst the mouth spouts one thing the lifestyle is at odds with it.