Sustainability starts at home, and it's not about overhauling your life; it's about those little everyday changes that add up to a cleaner, greener future. Whether you're a seasoned eco-enthusiast or just dipping your toes into sustainable living, this blog post is your go-to guide. From embracing the Three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to finding the perfect sustainable cat litter and eco-friendly toys, we've got you covered. Get ready to transform your home into the purr-fect eco-friendly sanctuary, where you, your cat, and the planet thrive together! Join us on this journey towards a win-win-win lifestyle.
Sustainable Cat Care Tips
Being an eco-friendly cat parent not only benefits the environment but also sets a paws-itive example for others. Here are a few solutions that you can implement right away to reduce waste and be a more sustainable cat parent:
Embrace the Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
- Reduce: Opt for minimal packaging and buy cat supplies in bulk to minimize waste. Consider purchasing larger bags of cat litter or food to reduce the number of smaller packages used.
- Reuse: Repurpose old items into DIY cat toys or scratching posts. Get creative with items like cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, or even old t-shirts to create personalized playthings for your feline friend.
- Recycle: Ensure you're recycling properly by checking local guidelines. Recycle empty cat food cans, cardboard packaging, and paper products used for litter box cleanup.
Eco-Friendly Cat Litter Solutions:
- Look for litter brands that use sustainable sourcing practices and eco-conscious packaging, such as compostable or recyclable bags.
- Opt for a DIY litter box made from repurposed storage containers or wooden crates, saving money and reducing waste.
- Invest in a durable and easy-to-clean litter box to extend its lifespan and reduce waste.
- Scoop waste regularly to maintain cleanliness and minimize the amount of litter that needs to be replaced.
- Consider composting your cat's biodegradable waste, such as litter made from natural materials. For your safety, make sure to only use the compost in flower gardens or on plants that will not be consumed.
- Switch to an eco-friendly cat litter like SoyKitty, made from renewable ingredients. Our litter is biodegradable, compostable, and flushable which reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional clay litter.
Sustainable Cat Care:
- Switch to eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products to keep your home clean and safe for both your cat and the planet. Think vinegar, baking soda, and lemons!
- Select toys made from natural and biodegradable materials like organic cotton, hemp, or sisal. These materials are safer for your cat and the planet. Steer clear of single-use plastic toys, if possible.
- Avoid toys with excessive packaging and opt for brands that prioritize sustainability in their manufacturing processes.
- Learn to upcycle cat toys. Turn old t-shirts into fantastic DIY catnip toys that will keep your furry friend entertained for hours.
- Repurpose cardboard boxes into scratching pads and hideaways that provide endless fun.
- Make sure to have your cat spayed or neutered. Cats are prolific breeders, and uncontrolled breeding leads to an overpopulation of cats. This overpopulation puts a strain on the environment by increasing the demand for resources like food, water, and shelter. By spaying or neutering your cat, you help prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and reduce the overall cat population, easing the burden on the environment (and the animal shelters).
- Introduce cat-friendly plants, like catnip, cat grass, or valerian, to provide natural enrichment for your curious kitty.
- Explore DIY vertical gardens or hanging planters to create a green oasis that your cat can explore safely.
Choose Sustainable Cat Food Options:
- Consider raw, homemade cat food recipes using locally sourced ingredients or discuss sustainable cat food alternatives with your cat nutritionist or holistic veterinarian.
- Look for cat food brands that prioritize sustainability, use responsibly sourced ingredients, and minimize packaging waste. Consider options with recyclable or compostable packaging.
- Make sure your cat maintains a healthy weight. Obese or overweight cats tend to consume more food than their healthy-weight counterparts. This leads to increased demand for pet food production, which requires more resources like land, water, energy, and transportation. The production and transportation processes can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
Practice Water Conservation:
- Use a cat water fountain to minimize water waste compared to traditional water bowls.
- Avoid leaving taps running unnecessarily and fix any leaky faucets to conserve water.
Donate and Adopt:
- Donate gently used cat supplies, such as carriers, toys, or bedding, to local animal shelters or rescue organizations.
- Consider adopting a cat from a shelter or rescue group to provide a loving home to a furry friend in need, promoting sustainable pet ownership.
Eco-Friendly Cat Products
With these sensational products in your and your kitty’s lives, you’ll rest easy knowing that everyone in your household is doing their part for the planet, even your cat! Then there’s the added bonus of each and every item on this list being high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and downright cool.
Catit Eco Terra Natural Cornhusk and Raffia Cat Toy: Adorable mice made from cornhusk and raffia, filled with catnip. Perfect for hunting and pouncing. No plastic packaging!
Lupine Pets Eco Collection Collar: Vibrant collars made from recycled plastic bottles. Matching collection available for your furry friends. Style and sustainability in one!
Estelle Eco-friendly Scratching Board: Keep furniture intact with this well-textured scratching board. Made from z-board, a recycled and recyclable material. Infused with catnip.
The Forever Stick by repounce: The only toy wand you’ll ever need. The Forever Stick was created to eradicate wasteful, flimsy single-use cat toys. It’s unbreakable, reusable, and all-in-one premium cat wand.
For the Home
When it comes to finding sustainable home goods, there are several strategies you can employ to make eco-friendly choices.
- Consider shopping locally and supporting artisans and small businesses in your community that prioritize sustainable practices. Farmers markets, craft fairs, and independent stores often offer unique and locally made home goods that are environmentally friendly.
- Consider incorporating second-hand or vintage items into your home decor. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms offer a wide range of pre-loved home goods that can add character and sustainability to your living spaces.
- Look for certifications like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood products, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for textiles, and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) for overall sustainability.
- Look for products made from renewable or recycled materials, non-toxic ingredients, and minimal packaging.
- When purchasing larger items like furniture or appliances, look for brands that prioritize sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and durability. Seek out products made from reclaimed or responsibly sourced wood, recycled materials, or low-impact materials such as bamboo or cork.
Eco-Friendly Products for the Home
- Coyuchi: Discover beautiful and long-lasting bedding and home furnishings that are sustainably sourced and ethically made. They offer a wide range of products, including baby items, and their certifications showcase their commitment to nature. Enjoy their fair-trade travel line too! Available in stores along the West Coast and with nationwide shipping in sustainable, plastic-free packaging.
- Eskayel: Based in New York, Eskayel creates stunning products inspired by nature. Each item is hand-designed and crafted using environmentally friendly methods, such as water-based inks and sustainably-sourced materials. From carpets and wallpapers to baskets and throw pillows, their collection adds a touch of nature to your home. Maybe you'll be tempted to furnish your entire house with their beautiful creations!
- The Citizenry: The Citizenry partners with artisans around the world to create ethically-made home decor and furniture. They prioritize fair trade practices and sustainable materials, resulting in unique and high-quality products.
- Avocado Green Mattress: Avocado Green Mattress offers eco-friendly, organic mattresses made from natural and sustainable materials. They also have a range of bedding and home accessories that align with their commitment to sustainability.
- Package Free Shop: Package Free Shop is a one-stop destination for sustainable home goods and zero-waste essentials. They offer a wide range of products, from kitchenware to cleaning supplies, all focused on reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Bathroom:
Puracy All-Purpose Cleaner: Effectively cleans all bathroom surfaces without harming your kitty. Cruelty-free and vegan.
Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: Your go-to spray for a spotless home that's kitty-approved.
Laundry:
Common Good Laundry Detergent: Leaves your clothes fresh and your cat healthy. Pet-safe and Leaping Bunny certified.
Seventh Generation Free and Clear: Embrace the purr-ity of clean and fresh laundry that’s safe for you and your kitties.
Windows:
PawSafe Glass Cleaner: Ensures your windows are sparkling clean and safe for curious paws. No more worries!
Floors:
Eco-me All-Purpose Cleaner: Safely cleans general floors with natural ingredients. Vegan, BPA-free, and cruelty-free.
Method Squirt + Mop Hard Floor Cleaner: For floors so clean, your cat could eat off them (but let's stick to bowls)!
Aunt Fannie's Vinegar Wash Floor Cleaner: Harness the natural cleaning power of vinegar & plant-based ingredients for a pristine floor shine.
Kitchen:
Dr. Bronner's Biodegradable Cleaner: Safe for dishes and grime on stove tops. A trusted name in natural products.
Puracy Natural Dish Soap: Looking for something that's tough on grease yet gentle on hands? Puracy Natural Dish soap is a 99.41% natural formula that will leave your dishes sparkling and your hands soft.
Carpet Cleaners:
Angry Orange Spot Cleaner: The world's best pet deodorizer for carpets and upholstery. A powerful solution you can trust!
Nature's Miracle Advanced Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo: A miracle indeed for any carpet, leaving them clean and odor-free, so your cat can lounge safely.
Disinfectants:
Sanidate Hard Surface Sanitizer: One-step, no-rinse solution to keep your surfaces safe from bacteria, without harming your kitty.
Insect Control:
Zevo Pest Control Bundle: Say goodbye to creepy crawlies with Zevo’s plant oil formula, and keep your home pest-free and pet-safe.
Sustainable Fashion
Finding sustainable fashion brands requires a little research and a shift in shopping habits.
- Consider shopping second-hand or vintage, as it's a sustainable way to give pre-loved garments a new life. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms offer a wide variety of unique and sustainable fashion options.
- Prioritize quality over quantity, invest in timeless pieces, and opt for versatile items that can be mixed and matched.
- Look for brands that prioritize sustainable practices such as using eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing processes, and fair trade principles.
- Seek out certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fair Trade to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Look for labels like "organic," "recycled," "vegan," and "fair trade" to identify environmentally and socially conscious fashion.
Sustainable Fashion Brands
By supporting sustainable fashion brands, you can embrace style while minimizing the environmental and social impact of your clothing choices. These are a few of our favorite brands that are at the forefront of sustainable fashion, providing stylish options while considering the environmental and social impact of their products.
- Patagonia: You knew this was going to be here…Patagonia is a renowned outdoor clothing and gear company that has established itself as a pioneer in sustainable and ethical practices. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, Patagonia uses recycled materials, reduces waste, and supports fair labor practices throughout their supply chain. Their durable and high-performance products, combined with their advocacy for environmental activism, make Patagonia a leading example of how a business can prioritize sustainability while producing top-quality outdoor gear.
- Nisolo: Nisolo is a sustainable footwear and accessories brand that aims to bridge the gap between fashion and ethics. With a commitment to transparency and fair trade practices, Nisolo creates high-quality, timeless products using eco-friendly materials. Their stylish designs and ethical production processes make them a go-to choice for conscious consumers looking to make a positive impact with their fashion choices.
- Outerknown: Outerknown is a sustainable fashion brand founded by professional surfer Kelly Slater and designer John Moore. With a mission to create stylish and environmentally responsible clothing, Outerknown offers a range of men's and women's apparel made from organic, recycled, and regenerated materials. Through their commitment to transparency and fair labor practices, Outerknown is dedicated to making a positive impact on both the planet and the people involved in their supply chain.
Sustainable Beauty
Finding sustainable beauty products is easier than ever, thanks to the growing awareness and demand for eco-friendly options.
- Start by looking for brands that prioritize sustainable practices, such as using organic, natural, and ethically sourced ingredients.
- Seek out certifications like cruelty-free, vegan, and organic labels to ensure the products align with your values.
- Consider packaging materials, opting for products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
Sustainable Beauty Brands
You can discover a wide range of sustainable beauty products that cater to your specific needs while minimizing your environmental impact. Here are a few of our favorite brands…
- BambuEarth: Bambu Earth is a skincare company dedicated to crafting natural, sustainable, and cruelty-free products. Their mission is to provide effective skincare solutions while minimizing environmental impact. They source organic and ethically harvested ingredients and package their products in recyclable materials, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and conscious living.
- PHB Ethical Beauty is a name that you just can’t avoid when researching sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products. They carry a wide range, with cosmetics as well as perfumes and nail polish, and an entire skincare line. Their ingredients are organic, certified vegan, cruelty-free and not tested on animals. This brand is UK-based and ships world-wide, using packaging that is as harm-free as possible.
- Meow Meow Tweet is our other top pick in the eco-friendly beauty stakes. Everything about their company has been thought about and tailored to be as environmentally conscious as possible. From inception to shipping, sustainability is forefront of their business practices. They talk about making their products “as if they were modern culinary dishes”, with the same care and consideration as to how the ingredients come together. You’ll find more skincare and hygiene products here, rather than cosmetics. Meow Meow Tweet is US-based and has stores all over North America. Their products are all Leaping Bunny certified. Yass!
Wrapping It Up
I want you to remember that sustainability begins at home and doesn't demand a total life overhaul. These small changes, from eco-conscious litter choices to sustainable cat care tips, not only benefit your cat but also make a world of difference for the environment. By thoughtfully selecting eco-friendly cat products, incorporating green practices into your daily routine, and supporting sustainable brands, you're not just improving your home but actively contributing to a better, greener world.
