Sustainable present ideas for your pet this Christmas.
November 21, 2023
Sustainable present ideas for your pet this Christmas.
As a practice we have been thinking about our carbon footprint. We are aware that there are a lot of single use plastics and other environmental hazards in the veterinary sector and have been trying to reduce our environmental impact where we can. With Christmas fast approaching and an increasing trend of present buying for pets, we thought it might be nice to share our sustainable present ideas this December, because the tree does not have to be the only green thing this Christmas!
There are an increasing number of dog and cat toys now being manufactured from recycled materials. We have a selection available in the surgery but they can also be found online.
https://www.ancol.co.uk/dog/dog-play/dog-play-plush/made-from-seal/
Home made toys can also be popular. There are lots of items around the house that can easily be up-cycled to entertain your canine friends. Plastic bottle and cardboard boxes can be used to make puzzle feeders. The legs from an old pair of jeans can be cut off and knotted to make a long lasting ragga toy. Why not set the children in your life the task of creating some DIY toys that are both pet and planet friendly? Advice and inspiration can be found on the link below.
https://www.battersea.org.uk/about-us/news/diy-dog-toys
(We always recommend supervising your dog while playing with toys and taking any that become too worn out of circulation to avoid your dog swallowing any part of the toy.)
Cat nip can be bought fresh and used to fill toys for your feline friends. And what cat doesn’t like a new box to sleep in? There are plenty of lovely covered cat beds available to buy, but lots of cats will be equally happy with a cardboard box with a door cut out and a soft old T-shirt or towel inside, especially if tucked away near a nice warm radiator or, for those cats that prefer a vantage point, up on top of the fridge or a wardrobe.
There are also plenty of great ideas online for home-made toys to keep rabbits and other small furry pets active and interested. See what you can find and let us know if you come across any interesting ideas.
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/rabbits/homemade-toys-for-rabbits
Another option is to spoil your best friend at bath time. Shampoo bars for pets are now widely available. Not only do they smell fantastic, they are also packed full of natural ingredients and completely free from any plastic packaging.
https://www.faithinnature.co.uk/products/coconut-dog-shampoo-bar?_pos=2&_sid=a7552b923&_ss=r
If you are wanting to buy some special treats for your pet this Christmas, why not go for something ethical? Beautiful Joe’s do a range of ethical dog treats made from only free range and organic meat and wild ingredients. They donate 1% of their profits to Compassion in World Farming and make regular donations of treats to rescue centres around the UK.
And finally, not all gifts have to be material! The gift of your time is equally precious to your pet and they will enjoy your company this Christmas. Some dogs may prefer a day trip to the coast and the chance to run free by the sea, while cats, small pets and older dogs will often just appreciate a warm lap to sit on.
We hope you have found these ideas useful and interesting, and enjoy some quality time with your pets this Christmas.