As lovers of our pets and our earth, we're always looking for suitable, sustainable solutions that will honor both. Whether it's feeding supplies, grooming tools, collars and leashes, bedding or pet toys, our pets and our planet deserve the best. As members of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, we're dedicated to creating a more sustainable pet industry by sourcing products made from recycled materials or other sustainable materials - and we want you to join us.
This blog contains everything you need to know about eco-friendly dog toys and other products that are made with sustainable materials like post-consumer, 100% recycled plastic bottles. Read on to discover our favorite sustainable dog toys that small dogs and big dogs will love!
Why do Eco-Friendly Dog Toys Matter?
Without a doubt, our pets deserve to play and it brings us great joy to see them happy. But what cost does this have on our earth? Statistics show that an estimated 634 million dog toys end up in US landfills per year which is equivalent to 40,500 tons of waste. This is simply not good enough.
Take a minute to think about your own dog...how many dog toys does your dog chew up or your pup rip to shreds? Let's face it, your dog makes trash. These dog toys eventually end up in the trash which then negatively impacts our planet, especially when the dog toys contain toxic chemicals. In addition, many dog toys are made with plastic which is not recycled and therefore ends up in our oceans or garbage.
As responsible pet owners, we have to take responsibility and acknowledge that our dogs produce an enormous amount of waste and carbon emissions - their environmental impact is huge. It is our job to be a smart consumer by looking for more durable options, sourcing products made from recycled plastic bottles or other eco-friendly values, and doing whatever we can to support honest pet products. Our animals and our planet depend on us humans.
Our Top Picks For How to Choose Eco-Friendly Dog Toys
Now that you know why it's important to choose sustainable dog toys, the next question is how do you know what to look for in eco-friendly dog toys? With so many dog toys out there, it can be difficult to know what is really good for your pooch and what isn't. Doing your due diligence and educating yourself about what is truly natural, recycled or chemical free is a great place to start.
Sadly, there is very little regulation about what chemicals end up pervading our pet's daily lives. That's why it's up to us to read labels carefully and keep our pet products phthalate-free, BPA-free, and as non-toxic as possible. After all, playtime should be fun, not harmful!
Here are some eco-friendly values to look for when looking for eco-friendly dog toys for playtime.
Natural and Non-toxic materials
If you're on the lookout for upcycled or recyclable dog toys, it's important to consider what material the chew toys are made of, especially if your pups tend to eat them up or carry or hold them in their mouth for long periods of time, like they would with bones or a ball.
We suggest looking for sustainable and organic materials like natural rubber, natural hemp, cotton, bamboo, recycled, or upcycled plastic.
Tennis balls, tug toys, plush toys, chew toys and other pet toys go in your dog's mouth when playing fetch, tug of war, or other games, so it's important to ensure they are made with durable material and won't easily fall apart. And of course, choosing eco-friendly materials is also better for our planet!
Ethical Sourcing
You can be a conscious consumer by carefully considering who is making your dog toy. Are the workers being treated fairly and earning a living wage? We like to source eco-friendly dog toys and handcrafted products that are locally made in the USA or Canada to help reduce our carbon footprint and support local economies.
Corporate Responsibility
Just like pet owners have a responsibility to be sustainable, so do companies. Our warehouse is carbon neutral and we do our best to ship your sustainable dog toy using as little waste as possible. For example, our packaging uses cardboard boxes that are at least 40% recycled with water-based adhesive tape.
Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Dog Toys
Whether it's a puzzle toy, tug toy, tennis balls, or chew toy, dogs love to play and have fun. Old toys with their stuffing falling or that are broken and cracked may become a hazard for your pup. Durable toys last longer and can stand up to tough chewers, which means you'll have to replace them less often. This means they are less likely to end up in landfills. If your dogs or pups loves to have fun, check out the following cute, natural and eco-friendly dog toys.
Organic Cotton Dog Rope Toy
Let your dog chew the day away with one of our favorite pet products. Made in the USA with organic cotton, this sustainable dog toy is the perfect choice for a fun game of tug of war or even fetch. The fibers of the rope floss your dog's teeth while stimulating their gums, making this chew toy a great choice for teething puppies and aggressive chewers. This 100% compostable dog toy will keep your pup entertained for hours and is machine washable in cold water.
Hemp Dog Bone
Looking for a strong, sustainable dog toy? This natural dog bone is made with hemp and stuffed with 100% organic cotton. It's also completely squeaker free and is designed to be healthy for both your pet and our planet with its non toxic dyes. Your pup will have so much fun munching away in her dog beds with one of the best hemp toys in the world. It is a fantastic dog toy to add to your pile of sustainable dog toys. It is machine washable on cold or you can spot clean.
Felted Wool Toys
Did you know most wool comes from New Zealand and Nepal? This is why we were excited to hear LooHoo makes their undyed wool toys in Maine from USA farmed wool. Not only is wool compostable and biodegradable, but it feels great in dog's mouths and is super gentle on their teeth. Check out their braided wool tug toy and wool dog balls.
Get your Eco-Friendly Dog Toy Today
While it might seem like a small change, turning to non-toxic, recycled, natural and other sustainable dog toys can make a big difference for both our earth and your pup. Let your dog chew, fetch, play, and cuddle the day away with these durable, non-toxic honest pet products for serious chewers and more.
Looking for something you can make yourself, check out How to Make Cat or Dog Enrichment Toys at Home DIY.
