When you’ve made the decision to do your part and help the planet, going eco-friendly can be a bit mind-blowing. Choosing the right products for yourself is one thing, but also choosing the right ones for your pet? That’s another situation entirely. With so many pet products out there claiming to have your pet’s best interest at heart, it’s difficult to weed through them and find those that you can trust and feel comfortable supporting. This is where we come in. We’ve taken a look at the top eco-friendly pet products of 2023 and come up with 8 that we feel you and your pets will love. Take a look at our top picks and reviews to choose the ones you feel are best suited for your pet’s busy lifestyle.
When choosing the best overall eco-friendly pet product of 2023, Castor & Pollux truly stood out. Yes, it is dog food, but considering it is made from organic chicken and delivers great ingredients to your dog, we felt it was the leader of the pack. The first ingredient in this dog food is organic, free-range chicken. This is ideal for giving your dog the protein boost they need. There is also organic oatmeal and barley inside to promote healthy digestion. The guaranteed analysis of this food reads Crude Protein 26%, Crude Fat 15%, Crude Fiber 3.5%, and Moisture 11%.
What we love about Castor & Pollux is that all their formulas are USDA-certified Organic. You’ll find no chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or growth hormones used in their products. You’ll also find that they are free of artificial preservatives. The only true downside of this eco-friendly pet product is the cost. It can be considered quite pricey for dog food, but with the list of ingredients, it’s almost understandable.
Pros
USDA-Certified Organic
Made from free-range chicken
No artificial preservatives
Cons
Expensive
2. The Cat Ladies Organic Pet Grass Seed – Best Value
If you’re looking for a great eco-friendly pet product in 2023 for the money, The Cat Ladies Organic Pet Grass Seed is right up your alley. This tasty treat uses a proprietary blend of oats, rye, barley, wheat, and flax to give your pets a safe bed of greenery to snack and enjoy. What we like about this pet product is the dose of healthy vitamins it gives your pets while they enjoy it. It is also good for environmental enrichment and safe for all pets including cats, dogs, rabbits, and more.
The only downside we found with this pet grass is that it can cause colored stools. Also, when it comes to cats, they often seem to use pet grass as a way to clear their stomach so you can expect a bit of vomiting from time to time.
Pros
A healthy snack for most pets
Great source of vitamins
Organic
Cons
May change the color of stools or vomit
3. Molly Mutt Eco Sustainable Rough Gem Dog Bed Duvet Cover– Premium Choice
Our premium choice isn’t all that expensive but it can make your pet feel a bit spoiled. The Molly Mutt Eco Sustainable dog bed duvet cover comes in several colors and shapes to fit the style of your home. Instead of rushing out to buy a dog bed, the idea behind this cover is to stuff it with old blankets, clothes, or towels you have around the house. This helps reuse items and avoid tossing them into the landfill. Your pet will also enjoy the idea of having a bed made from items that have your scent on them.
The duvet is made with pre-shrunk cotton and is machine washable. The only real issue we had with this duvet cover is that it isn’t chew-resistant. If your pet likes to play rough, you may find yourself making lots of repairs.
Pros
Multiple colors and sizes to choose from
Sustainably designed to reuse old items
Cons
Not chew-resistant
4. Earth Rated Compostable Dog Poop Bags– Best for Puppies
For pet parents who need to deal with their pet’s waste while trying to stay eco-friendly, we understand your struggle. When taking pups out for a walk, using regular poop bags isn’t just bad for the environment, but they make us feel bad. Not anymore. These Earth-Rated Compostable Poop Bags are exactly what eco-friendly pet parents have been looking for. The bags are vegetable-based and come on a roll that is made from recycled materials. They are even certified compostable and accepted anywhere pet waste is. For owners with cats in the house, they also work well when it comes time to scoop your kitty’s litter box.
The one downside we noted with these bags is the difficulty they give you when trying to open them. Some bags open with ease, others? Not so much. Be prepared for this when walking an excited pup or large dog. You may need to have your bag ready before you head out the door.
Treating your pet’s cracked skin and sore paws couldn’t be more eco-friendly. Momma Knows Best Dog & Cat Balm is made from USDA-Certified organic ingredients that have been sourced in the USA. This balm is packed with vitamins and unrefined, cold-pressed oils to help soothe your pet’s aches. All the included ingredients are safe for both cats and dogs. You won’t even need to worry if they lick their paws after this balm has been applied. What’s even better is all materials are plant-based and eco-friendly! Oddly enough, the only issue we found with this ointment is that the tin can be difficult to open at times.
Pros
Made from USDA-Certified Organic ingredients
Free of all toxic chemicals
Safe for both cats and dogs
Cons
Tin can be difficult to open
6. Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter
The last thing the world needs is tons of cat litter sitting around the landfill. Luckily, Okocat Wood Clumping Cat Litter puts an end to that issue. This plant-based litter is a healthier and cleaner option for your entire family. You’ll find that the biodegradable wood is sustainably sourced and it is flushable. However many people recommend not flushing cat feces as it can contain a parasite- toxoplasma that can then enter the water system. All you need to do is scoop, drop, and flush. You’ll deal with less mess and work thanks to this eco-friendly pet product.
The biggest issue we found with Okocat Wood Clumping Cat Litter is the dust. Unfortunately, this can be a bit of an issue. You may also find that the dust sticks to your cat and makes its way around the rest of the house.
Finding tasty treats for your dog that are good for them, and the environment can be difficult. Luckily, Jiminy’s Cricket has stepped in to make your life easier. Made with cricket protein powder, these treats emit fewer greenhouse gases, and the protein used can be sourced in ways to help promote saving our lands and waters. These all-natural treats are both grain-free and gluten-free. They are also free of any antibiotics or artificial colors and flavorings that could be harmful to your pet.
The only issue with Jiminy’s Cricket treats you should keep in mind is they are made with cricket protein. This may be new to your dogs. If that’s the case, they may be reluctant to eat them or may find that they aren’t overly fond of this protein, even though it tastes similar to chicken.
Pros
Made with cricket protein powder
Free of artificial colors and flavors
Emits fewer greenhouse gases
Cons
Some dogs may not like the flavor
8. Spunky Pet Clean Earth Collection Chicken Flavored Dog Toy
What pet owners wouldn’t love the idea of seeing their pet playing happily while they also help the planet? This chicken-flavored dog toy is made in the US out of plastic water bottles to help keep them out of our oceans and landfills. These heavy-duty materials are designed to stand up to the toughest chewer and best of all can be recycled again once your dog is finished to keep the chain going.
While the product is made to be durable, for smaller dogs it may seem a bit too hard. Keep the size of your dog, and their chewing ability in mind when purchasing this toy.
Pros
Made from recycled water bottles
Can be recycled again when a dog is finished playing
Made in the USA
Cons
It may be too hard for smaller dogs
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Eco-Friendly Pet Products
Before you buy what you consider eco-friendly products for your pets, you should first understand the term. Eco-friendly items are not harmful to the environment. They promote green living and cause no harm when being sourced. In short, an eco-friendly item should be earth friendly and better for the planet overall. Now, let’s take a look at other factors you should keep in mind when purchasing eco-friendly products for your pets.
Ingredients
Yes, there are pet foods and treats out there that are considered eco-friendly. To determine whether the brand of pet food or pet treats you’re considering is good for the planet, you should check out the ingredients list. Organic ingredients are your best bet. This means they have been grown without the use of chemicals like pesticides or fertilizers. It also means that the animals used when making the foods were fed organic foods and given the freedom to graze.
Materials
When taking the materials used to make products into consideration, recyclables and sustainable materials are your friends. The Okocat kitty litter uses biodegradable wood that is sustainably sourced and the Spunky Pet toy is made from recycled water bottles. In both of these situations, the products are made with materials that are safer and better for the planet. They can also be composted or recycled once your pet is finished with them.
Durability
While pet products may be good for the environment, if they aren’t durable and long-lasting, you’ll find yourself constantly having to replace them. If you purchase toys, bedding, or other items intended to last a bit, take a long look at the materials they are made with and whether they are durable. In the long run, if you’re constantly replacing your pet’s favorite things, it isn’t good for the planet or your pocket.
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best overall eco-friendly pet product in 2023 is Castor & Pollux dog food. This food is made with organic ingredients and is a great choice for any pet. Our choice in this review for the best product for the money is Cat Ladies Organic Seed Grass. This eco-friendly product gives your pets a healthy treat that you can feel confident feeding them. Keep in mind, however, that any of the eco-friendly pet products we have reviewed will be great additions to your home and are products you can trust that your pets will enjoy.
Melissa was born and raised in the mountains of East Tennessee where she spent her time writing in an old notebook and playing outside with her pets. As an avid animal lover, she has brought many into her home over the years. Currently, she is the mom of 5 fur babies. Her 2 cats, Princess and Pepper are total opposites who demand attention. Her dogs Jazzy, Whitey, and Demon are full of spunk and keep the entire family on their toes.
Beyond life as an animal mom, Melissa is a dedicated wife and mother to 2 children. Writing in her old notebook led her down the path of becoming not only a freelance writer but a published Indie author under the pen name, Rena Marin....Read more
