Eco-Friendly Pet Toys
I’m always thinking about the environment and how to be more eco-friendly, but until now, I never thought about my pets and their toys being eco-friendly. Eco-friendly pet toys are designed with sustainability in mind, reducing environmental impact while still being fun and safe for pets.
Here’s what makes a pet toy truly green:
- Sustainable Materials – Toys made from natural rubber, hemp, organic cotton or recycled plastics keep harmful materials out of landfills. By using products like these, we can help avoid using more plastic.
- Non-Toxic & Biodegradable – Dyes and fillings that are free of harmful chemicals ensure safety while also allowing toys to break down naturally over time when you finally do throw them away.
- Durable & Long-Lasting – A well-made toy that withstands wear prevents excessive waste from frequent replacements. And you save money by not having to replace the toy time and time again.
- Minimal or Compostable Packaging – Brands that use recyclable or biodegradable packaging reduce unnecessary waste. While some kind of padding is necessary with breakable items, it’s important to find products that don’t have a bunch of Styrofoam around them.
- Ethical & Local Production – Supporting companies that prioritize eco-conscious manufacturing and fair labor practices adds to the sustainability factor. Look for companies that try to conserve energy and use recycled materials whenever possible.
How can you find eco-friendly products?
Look for those words in the name or description of the products. Look for buzzwords like:
- Recycled Materials
- Biodegradable
- Eco-friendly
- All-natural
- No dyes
- Organic
- Non-toxic (you want that for all pet toys)
Some eco-friendly examples
Spunky Pup Clean Earth Recycled Seahorse Dog Toy. According to the packaging, recycled plastic bottles were used to make the toy. And the toy itself is also recyclable. And it has a squeaker, which my dog absolutely loves.
100% Natural – Antlers for Dogs. These are actual elk antlers that were naturally shed. Great for chewers. Obviously, these biodegrade as well. My dog loves these elk antlers. They are recommended over rawhide by trainers and vets.
Global Collection Cat Toys. These cat toys are adorable with a polar bear, elephant, globe and other designs in one pack. The toys are eco-friendly and made from recycled plastic. A bonus: they are machine washable too!
BAWAN Catnip Toys – Silvervine for Cats. These are toys as well as dental cleaners for your cat. The product is made with natural items that most cats love.
3PCS Guinea Pig Chew Toys. (Also great for chinchillas and hamsters too!) Some animals need to chew to keep their teeth healthy. Guinea pigs will love these all-natural chews that help exercise their chewing muscles and give them something to do with their chewing cravings.
Natural Coconut Reptile Hideouts. These also work for lizards, hermit crabs, aquarium fish, spiders and snails for various purposes. While not a toy, hides and climbing areas are important to keep your pets feel safe and secure while also giving some pets something to climb. They are made from a hard coconut shell cut out to look like a little house. I’ve used these for various animals and they work well.
When looking for eco-friendly pet toys, remember to look for the buzzwords that let you know that the materials used are good for the environment. Sustainability has never been more important than it is now. Let’s reduce plastic waste and use more natural materials for our pets.
