Owning a pet is one of the many joys of life, and it’s far too easy to get carried away dressing them up in seasonal outfits and supplying them with endless toys. As a first-time cat owner, I had no idea what my cat truly needed, leading me to buy a plethora of items that proved to be useless. Over the past few years, I’ve learned a lot about the best ways to supply my cat with what he needs, while not directly conflicting with my sustainability efforts.
Here are a few small changes that you can to reduce your own footprint, as well as your cat’s pawprint, on the environment!
A Not So Paw-sitive Impact
Its hard to believe our cuddly little critters could cause harm to anyone, much less the environment. However, cats are known invasive species across the world, particularly in Hawaii. Cats are a natural predator of birds and insects, among other small animals. In biodiverse places, such as Hawaii, cats are a huge threat to many endangered species, already contributing to the extinction of over 30 different species (Hawaii Invasive Species Council).
To combat these devastating effects, it is essential to keep cats indoors. My cat was a stray before I found him, so it took a while to get him acclimated to living indoors. I knew that I was not going to let him loose outside, so I decided to leash train him. He still loves going outdoors, but now he is able to do so in a controlled environment that will not negatively impact the local wildlife!
Unfortunately, not all cats are fit for home environments. In order to control feral cat populations, efforts to trap, neuter, and release have grown (ASPCA). By controlling cat populations, we can control the impact cats have on local environments. Additionally, offering safe places for birds to nest will allow bird populations to prosper. Adding bird houses outside of windows not only gives bird’s a home, but also gives indoor cats entertainment!
The Scoop on Litter…
While owning a cat is full of wonder and whimsy, one of the least exciting responsibilities is cleaning out the litter box. Constantly sifting through, replacing, sweeping, and throwing away litter can be exhausting, and extremely wasteful! Most cat litter is made from clay, often sourced from strip mines that cause extreme environmental destruction (New York Times). Luckily, there are many alternatives to traditional clay litter, including plant-based litters made from corn, wheat, paper, wood, soybeans, grass, and even walnut shells! While a lot of these eco-friendly litters are compostable, you should only compost cat pee, as cat feces may carry Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can contaminate soil and cause illness (CDC).
When it comes to disposing of cat feces, one of the most convenient ways to do so is with a Litter Genie. Rather than taking trips to the trash can multiple times a day and using endless amounts of plastic bags, the Litter Genie can hold weeks-worth of waste at a time and the container is made from 98% recycled plastic. Additionally, Litter Genie offers numerous types of bag-refills, including 3 sustainable options: one made from 65% recycled plastic, one made from compostable film, and one which allows you to reuse plastic cartridges from previous refills. Along with being eco-friendly, the Litter Genie completely masks any smell, creating a happy and healthy home environment.
Another easy way to fight against any litter smells is by using a stainless steel litter box and scoop! Stainless steel does not harbor as much bacteria as plastic does, leading to less odor. Stainless steel products are also far more resilient, meaning there’s not a need to replace them as frequently as plastic litter boxes.
While owning a cat is a blessing, it’s important to be aware of the potential harm they can cause to the environment. Actively working against environmental harm is essential to being a responsible cat owner.
References:
About Toxoplasmosis. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/about/index.html
A Closer Look at Community Cats. ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/helping-shelters-people-pets/closer-look-community-cats
Brown, E. (2024, December 9). What Kind of Cat Litter is Best for the Planet? New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/climate/environment-sustainability-kitty-litter.html
Feral Cats. Hawaii Invasive Species Council. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/feral-cats/