Sustainable Dog Food: Better for Dogs, People, & Planet

Sustainability has become more than a buzzword in our quest for a healthier planet; it has evolved into a global movement. But have you ever considered how this concept might extend to your four-legged friend's diet? 

The pet food industry, specifically dog food, has a more significant impact on our world than many of us realize. In this article, we'll delve into sustainable dog food — a burgeoning trend proving to be better for dogs, their human companions, and our shared planet.

What Is Sustainability?

To grasp why sustainable dog food matters, we first need to understand what sustainability means. At its core, sustainability is about meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It’s a balancing act, striving to create a world where economic growth, environmental integrity, and social equality can coexist harmoniously.

This concept is typically upheld by three key pillars: Environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Environmental sustainability emphasizes the need to preserve natural resources and mitigate the impact of human activities on the environment. 

Social sustainability focuses on establishing fair, healthy, and inclusive communities. On the other hand, economic sustainability aims to create a resilient and beneficial economy.

So, how does sustainability tie into dog food production? In the context of sustainable dog food, environmental sustainability means sourcing ingredients responsibly, minimizing waste, and reducing the carbon footprint in the manufacturing process. 

Social sustainability involves fair trade practices and ensuring the welfare of everyone involved in the production line, including farmers and workers. Economically, it pertains to creating value for both the company and consumers without compromising environmental and social sustainability.

It's a complex process, but as we’ll look at the benefits of this holistic approach, it can be immense, transforming not just the health of our pets but also the health of our planet.

The Impact of Traditional Dog Food Production on the Environment

The production of traditional dog food often involves industrial farming practices, heavy processing, and long-distance transportation. These processes can have a substantial impact on the environment. Let's break down how.

Industrial farming, particularly livestock for meat-based dog food, contributes to deforestation, water pollution, and significant greenhouse gas emissions. The waste from these animals often enters our waterways, causing further pollution. Additionally, processing plants for pet food are energy-intensive and contribute further to CO2 emissions.

Moreover, the pet food industry relies heavily on the global transportation of ingredients and final products. This means high fuel consumption and, consequently, substantial carbon emissions. This leads to a decrease in quality and an increase in overall costs. 

What Are the Benefits of Sustainable Dog Food?

When we look at sustainable dog food, its benefits extend far beyond the bowl. From our pets' health to our planet's welfare, the advantages of this eco-friendly option are manifold.

Health Benefits for Dogs

The core of any sustainable dog food is the quality of its ingredients. These companies often prioritize natural, ethically sourced, and nutrient-dense components over fillers and artificial additives. 

The result? A product that is nutritionally superior and beneficial for your dog's health.

• High-Quality Ingredients: Sustainable dog food typically contains higher-quality protein sources, organic fruits and vegetables, and beneficial grains or legumes. These contribute to a balanced, nutrient-rich diet that can support your dog's overall well-being.
• Fewer Allergens: Because sustainable dog food brands avoid artificial ingredients and potential allergens like certain grains or fillers, dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies often fare better on these diets.
• Supported Digestion: Due to the natural, high-quality ingredients, many dogs may experience improved digestion and fewer gastrointestinal issues when switched to a sustainable diet.
• Maintained Immunity and Longevity: A nutrient-dense, balanced diet can boost your dog's immune system, keeping them healthier for longer.

Benefits for Pet Owners

Sustainable dog food also offers a plethora of benefits to pet parents.

• Peace of Mind: Knowing that you are providing a high-quality, nutritious meal for your pet can offer significant peace of mind. Also, understanding that your purchase supports ethical and sustainable practices can make meal times even more satisfying.
• Economic Savings: While sustainable dog food can be more expensive upfront, these costs may balance out over time. A healthier diet can mean fewer vet visits and lower healthcare costs in the long run.
• Supporting Sustainable Practices: By choosing sustainable dog food, you actively support companies prioritizing sustainable farming practices, fair labor conditions, and animal welfare. In essence, you're contributing to a better and fairer system.

Environmental Benefits

One of the most significant advantages of sustainable dog food lies in its environmental impact.

• Reduced Carbon Pawprint: Sustainable dog food brands often take steps to minimize their carbon emissions. Whether through energy-efficient manufacturing processes, reduced packaging, or carbon offset initiatives, these companies strive to lessen their environmental impact.
• Responsible Resource Use: By choosing sustainably-sourced ingredients and minimizing waste in their production process, these brands ensure more responsible use of our planet's resources.
• Supporting Local Economies: Many sustainable brands source their ingredients from local farmers, thus reducing transportation emissions and supporting local economies.
• Promoting Biodiversity: By sourcing ingredients from organic farms that avoid harmful pesticides and encourage a variety of plant life, sustainable pet food companies indirectly promote biodiversity.

Here at A Pup Above, we donate 1% of revenues to White Buffalo Land Trust to transform farmland into regenerative farming. Regenerative farming aims to capture carbon from the atmosphere and to restore the health of our soil and water.

We also use 100% recyclable materials in our packaging, taking sustainability to another level. Through our partnership with Terracycle, customer are able to return and recycle any of their packaging, knowing they are contributing to less waste overall. 

Sustainable dog food represents a holistic approach to pet nutrition — one that considers your pet's health, the producers' socio-economic conditions, and the long-term viability of our environment. It's a win-win for everyone involved and a significant step towards a more sustainable future.

How Do I Switch to Sustainable Dog Food?

Transitioning to sustainable dog food requires careful thought to ensure the change doesn't upset your pet's digestive system. Here are a few tips:

• Research Brands: Look for brands that value transparency. They should provide clear information about their sourcing, manufacturing processes, and sustainability efforts.
• Gradual Transition: Introduce the new food gradually by mixing it with your pet's current food. Over about a week, progressively increase the proportion of the new food while decreasing the proportion of the old food.
• Monitor Your Dog: Watch your dog's reaction to the new diet. Signs of discomfort could include a lack of appetite, vomiting, or changes in stool consistency. If these persist, consult with a vet.

Remember, what works for one dog may not work for another. Always consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog's diet.

The Corporate Responsibility in Promoting Sustainability

In the face of growing environmental challenges and societal inequalities, it has become increasingly apparent that businesses have a critical role in promoting sustainability. This is not merely a moral imperative, but an economic one as well, as consumers are demonstrating an increased willingness to support companies that align with their values and contribute positively to the world.

Promoting Sustainable Practices

Corporations, especially in sectors like the pet food industry, can drive sustainability through their operations. This can involve adopting sustainable sourcing practices, minimizing waste, improving energy efficiency, and reducing their overall carbon footprint. 

They can choose to source ingredients from local, organic farms that follow ethical and eco-friendly practices, thereby promoting biodiversity and reducing emissions from transportation.

Moreover, they can take the lead in product design, creating recyclable or compostable packaging and reducing unnecessary packaging material. They can also adopt water and energy-saving measures in their production facilities, invest in renewable energy, and set measurable sustainability targets to drive continuous improvement.

Championing Social Responsibility

Businesses are responsible for supporting the communities they operate within and ensuring ethical practices across their supply chains. This can include providing fair wages and safe working conditions, promoting diversity and inclusion, and engaging in community development initiatives. 

In the pet food industry context, this could also mean prioritizing animal welfare, such as sourcing from free-range farms or those following higher welfare standards.

Educating Consumers and Advocacy

Companies can also use their influence to educate consumers about the importance of sustainability and how their purchasing decisions can make a difference. They can provide transparent information about their products and practices, helping consumers make informed choices.

In addition, they can advocate for sustainable policies at the industry level or engage in partnerships and collaborations to drive broader change. They could also invest in research and development to innovate more sustainable products and practices.

Economic Sustainability

Lastly, companies need to ensure their own economic sustainability. Demonstrating that sustainable practices are also good for business can encourage wider industry adoption. This involves creating products that appeal to consumers' values and their budgets, ensuring their operations are efficient and resilient.

In conclusion, companies are responsible for driving the sustainability agenda forward. They can make a substantial difference in building a more sustainable and equitable world through their practices, influence, and innovations. And as consumers, we can support these efforts by buying from businesses that align with these values.

Feed Your Pup Nothing but the Best

The sustainability movement has gained considerable momentum in recent years, extending its reach into every corner of our lives — including the food we feed our beloved pets. As we've explored, sustainable dog food offers substantial benefits to our furry friends, ourselves, and, crucially, our planet.

Choosing sustainable dog food means opting for high-quality, health-enhancing ingredients that can improve your dog's well-being. For pet owners, it brings the satisfaction of contributing positively to a more sustainable future and potentially reducing long-term veterinary costs. Most importantly, it signifies a commitment to lessening environmental impact, supporting fair trade, and promoting a healthier planet for all.

Changing to sustainable dog food is a small change that could make a big difference. We encourage all dog owners to consider this environmentally and socially responsible option — for the love of our dogs, our community, and our Earth. As we've learned, every small step towards sustainability counts, and this is one step that promises benefits for all.

The switch to higher-quality feeds can be a nervous task. This is where A Pup Above comes in, supplying your pup with the balanced diet they need while supplying you with the knowledge to be the best pup parent. 

Sources:

Examples of Environmental Sustainability | SNHU

10 things you should know about industrial farming | UN Environment Programme

Types of Proteins | Genetic Science Learning Center

Does educating customers create positive word of mouth? | ScienceDirect