Hiking adventures are the best way to keep your dog active and get you both enjoying the great outdoors. Not only is it an excellent way to bond with your dog, but it is also a great opportunity for you to get some exercise as well! Being a sustainable dog owner is not an onerous task but it does take a bit of extra planning and consideration. Today we have some sustainable tips to ensure your dog adventure walks are both enjoyable and sustainable.
Choose Eco Friendly Dog Adventure Gear
Instead of buying new gear each season, consider investing in eco friendly products that you can use year after year. Eco friendly dog adventure gear includes harnesses made from recycled materials such as plastic bottles, biodegradable dog poop bags as well as metal bottles and bowls for food and water. By choosing eco friendly dog adventure gear, you will be reducing the amount of waste contributed to landfill.
Travel to a local Conservation Park
Although dogs aren’t allowed in National Parks in Australia, there are many Conservation Parks and State Forests where you can walk with your dog on leash. Conservation Parks and State Forests are located within a short drive of the capital cities as well as rural locations. To find a local Conservation Park or State Forest, head to your relevant state Parks and Forests website and search for “Dog Friendly” parks. If you like to hike with friends, consider carpooling with you and your dog to reduce the amount of vehicles on the road and subsequent pollution.
Just a few things to keep in mind when taking your dog to a Conservation Park or state forest:
- Always keep your dog on a leash and under control
- Always clean up after your dog and dispose of their waste responsibly. Biodegradable dog poop bags are an essential item to take on your walk! Keep in mind most parks and forests don’t have rubbish bins along the hiking trails so ensure you bring a suitable bag to contain your dogs waste until you find a bin. The Doggy Eco Utility Poop Bag Holder has been especially designed for this purpose and has a secure poop bag fastener for you to attach your dogs used poop bags so you won’t have to carry it during your hike.
- Always check your dog for ticks. Although tick season is from October to January, they can still bite at any time of year so make sure your dog has adequate flea and tick prevention before heading out on your dog adventure walk.
Choose Sustainable Accommodation
If you wanted to turn your dog adventure walk into a holiday, there are many great sustainable accommodation providers to choose from that are also pet friendly. Green Getaways is a fantastic provider of unique accommodation from tiny homes, to glamping sites and luxury cottages. Choosing a sustainable accommodation provider means that your accommodation facilities have been designed to minimise energy use, conserve water, recycle or reduce waste, or reduce carbon emissions.
Support Local Business
Taking your dog on an adventure walk to a new location is the perfect opportunity for you to support local businesses. Whether it’s grabbing a bite to eat or buying a local souvenir, your trip will become more memorable by purchasing something unique from the local community. Plus you are supporting local farmers and artisans in the process. Consider if the area you’re travelling to has seasonal fruits that both you and your dog can enjoy. Strawberry farms are perfect for this as strawberries make a delicious and nutritious snack for both you and your dog.
Play Dirty And Keep The Planet Clean
Did you know you can recycle your old dog toys and accessories with us and receive a $15 discount on your next order? Check out our Doggy Eco Recycling initiative today and close the loop on your old dog gear.