The Numbers Behind Pet Emissions

A carbon pawprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by caring for a pet throughout their lifetime. This includes food production, toy manufacturing, waste disposal, water consumption, and transportation.

Here's what the research shows:

• Average cat: 310kg CO₂e per year
• Medium dog: 770kg CO₂e per year
• Large dog: 2,500kg CO₂e per year

To put this in perspective, that large Golden Retriever living in your Sai Wan apartment has roughly the same annual carbon footprint as driving a petrol car 12,070 kilometers. Collectively, U.S. dogs and cats alone produce 64 million tons of carbon dioxide and methane annually—equivalent to 115 million cars driven for a year.

That said, these figures represent opportunities, not condemnations. Small, strategic changes create measurable differences.

What Creates Your Pet's Carbon Pawprint?

Food Production: The 70% Factor

Pet food—particularly meat-based formulations—dominates your pet's environmental impact. Ingredient selection alone accounts for 70% of total emissions, far outweighing processing, packaging, or distribution.

The production of conventional pet food requires vast amounts of resources:

• Land use: 49 million hectares annually (twice the size of the UK) for dry dog and cat food production globally
• Water consumption: Up to 15,000 liters needed to produce one kilogram of beef when accounting for irrigation and processing
• Greenhouse gases: The industry emits 106 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, with ruminant-based proteins producing 28 times more warming effect than CO₂ through methane and nitrous oxide emissions

But wait—there's a persistent myth that needs addressing.

The "Byproduct" Misconception

Many believe pet food simply "recycles" unwanted animal parts that would otherwise go to waste. The reality is more complex:

• Only 25% of animal byproducts in wealthy nations actually go to pet food
• These materials are valuable coproducts with competing buyers in pharmaceuticals, energy, and other industries
• Byproducts generate 11% of beef revenue and 7.5% of pork revenue—they're economic commodities, not waste
• Lower protein density means requiring 1.4x more animal carcasses for dogs and 1.9x more for cats compared to higher-quality cuts

This doesn't mean byproduct-based foods are inherently problematic, but framing them as "waste rescue" obscures how they actually fuel additional livestock production.

Other Contributing Factors

Water consumption extends beyond your pet's bowl. The hidden cost lies in food production—those salmon-based kibbles require significant water resources from farm to manufacturing.

Toys and accessories made from virgin plastics involve energy-intensive manufacturing and long-distance shipping. A colleague's Corgi had this exact issue—her apartment overflowed with cheap plastic toys that broke within weeks, creating an endless replacement cycle.

Travel emissions accumulate from regular vet visits, grooming appointments, and weekend excursions. While these trips are necessary and enriching, consolidating errands makes a difference.

Waste management becomes problematic when pet waste enters landfills, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO₂.

6 Strategic Ways to Reduce Your Pet's Pawprint

1. Choose Sustainable, Locally-Made Pet Food

The single most impactful change involves rethinking what goes in your pet's bowl. Here's what works:

Upcycled ingredients transform high-quality surplus food that would otherwise be discarded into complete, nutritious meals. This approach addresses Hong Kong's significant food waste challenge (3,600 tonnes sent to landfills daily) while providing premium nutrition.

Furry Green's gently processed fresh meals use human-grade upcycled ingredients collected from local restaurants and markets. The company's ASAP (Advanced Sous-vide Aseptic Packaging) technology maintains nutritional integrity for up to two years without refrigeration, eliminating cold-chain emissions entirely. The light cooking process preserves beneficial nutrients that get destroyed in heavily processed kibble, making meals easier for pets to digest while reducing resource waste.

Novel proteins offer complete nutrition with dramatically lower environmental impact:

• Insect-based formulas provide 55-76% crude protein, 10-50% healthy fats, and essential antioxidants with digestibility rates up to 90%
• Insects are raised on organic waste, using 12 times less feed than cattle to produce equivalent protein
• Production requires minimal land and water while generating negligible greenhouse gases
• Brands like Yora and Tomojo are making these options increasingly accessible

Local production matters more than many realize. Transportation emissions are just part of the equation—local brands like Furry Green also support Hong Kong's food security and reduce dependency on long-distance supply chains.

The sustainable pet food market reflects growing awareness, projected to expand from $24.65 billion in 2024 to $50.83 billion by 2035.

Practical tip: Start by mixing a small amount of sustainable food with your pet's current diet, gradually increasing the ratio over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset.

2. Manage Waste Responsibly

Traditional plastic poop bags persist for hundreds of years in landfills. Better options exist:

Certified compostable bags like Earth Rated's formulations are made from PBAT and vegetable starches, breaking down in just 12 weeks when properly composted. Look for BPI-Certified or TÜV OK Compost certifications.

Flushable alternatives reduce microplastic pollution. Furry Green's #INVISIBLEPOOBAG provides a biodegradable option suitable for Hong Kong's sewage system.

Home composting works for non-food crops if your building allows it. Verify whether your district's composting facility accepts pet waste—policies vary across Hong Kong.

I recently spoke with pet parents in Hong Kong who switched to compostable bags six months ago. She noticed the transition required zero extra effort but gave her peace of mind knowing she wasn't contributing hundreds of plastic bags annually to Pillar Point landfill.

3. Invest in Eco-Friendly Toys and Accessories

Ditch single-use plastic toys for durable, sustainable alternatives:

Natural materials include hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and natural rubber. Brands like Honest Pet Products handcraft toys from eco-friendly materials, supporting artisan communities while providing safe, long-lasting play.

Recycled materials transform existing plastics into new products. Beco Pets creates accessories from ethically sourced hemp and recycled materials, powering their headquarters with 100% renewable solar energy.

Quality over quantity makes economic and environmental sense. One well-made hemp rope toy lasting three years beats a dozen cheap plastic toys ending up in landfills within months.

Sound familiar? Many Hong Kong apartments have a corner overflowing with broken toys. Switching to fewer, higher-quality options creates less clutter and waste.

4. Reduce Water Waste

• Provide fresh water but avoid leaving taps running unnecessarily
• Consider adding water to dry food or choosing moisture-rich meals to reduce direct consumption
• Support brands using water-efficient production methods

5. Travel Smarter

• Consolidate trips to the vet, groomer, and pet supply stores
• Explore neighborhood parks instead of driving to distant locations—Kennedy Town's waterfront promenade and Sai Wan Swimming Shed area offer excellent walking routes
• When traveling without your pet, choose a local pet sitter instead of transporting them to distant boarding facilities

6. Choose Quality Accessories That Last

Select collars, leashes, and bedding made from hemp, recycled PET bottles, or organic cotton. High-quality gear withstands Hong Kong's humidity and frequent washing, reducing replacement frequency and minimizing waste.

The Bigger Picture: Individual Actions in Context

While pet food represents a significant emissions source globally, the researchers emphasize that systemic change requires policy intervention alongside individual choices:

• Reclassifying byproducts as coproducts to reflect their true economic value
• Including pet food in national emissions inventories and reduction targets
• Mandating carbon labeling comparable to human food requirements
• Funding research into alternative proteins for pet nutrition

The reality is this: consumer choice alone won't meet climate targets within the critical timeframes we're facing. However, that doesn't diminish the value of mindful decisions. Each sustainable choice signals demand, influences markets, and contributes to cultural shifts around responsible pet guardianship.

Additional Tips for Reducing Your Pet's Carbon Pawprint

• Spay or neuter your pet to help control the pet population and reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters.
• Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization instead of buying from a breeder.
• Volunteer your time at a local animal shelter or rescue organization like: Brave Mum's Home Animal Shelters & Maison De Charlotte Pour Des Chats Et Des Chiens (MCCC)
• Support organizations that are working to protect animals and the environment.

Small Paws, Big Impact

The sustainable pet care movement isn't about perfection—it's about progress. Each eco-friendly choice, from switching to upcycled food to investing in one bamboo toy, collectively creates meaningful change.

Your pet's health and the planet's health aren't competing priorities—they're beautifully aligned. By making thoughtful choices today, you're ensuring a thriving world for all animals tomorrow.

Ready to shrink your pet's pawprint? Explore Furry Green's fresh pet food made with upcycled, locally sourced ingredients, discover eco-friendly accessories from sustainable brands, or simply start with compostable waste bags. Every meal, every toy, and every choice matters.

Every little bit helps! By making small changes in our own lives, we can make a big difference for our pets and the planet.