Love your pets, and the planet

Food, especially for dogs and cats, is one of the best places to make more sustainable switches so you can love your pets, and the planet. Some foods take far more land, water and energy than others to produce. Beef has one of the largest total water footprints of any food, around 15,400 litres per kilo and about six times that of pulses per gram of protein, though much of it is rainwater (Mekonnen & Hoekstra 2012).

That’s why lower-meat dog food is worth considering. Dogs can eat a wider mix of foods than we think, and lower-meat, insect-protein and plant-based options are increasingly available. Studies suggest dogs can do well on vegan food, but only if it’s complete and balanced, with all the nutrients a dog needs.

Cats are trickier, as any cat owner knows. Vets have long warned against meat-free cat diets, since cats need nutrients usually found in animal foods.

Things to consider for sustainable pets

If you do feed your pet meat, the type matters. Foods that use animal parts people don’t typically eat help reduce waste, while meat-heavy, raw, fresh or ‘human-grade’ foods carry a bigger footprint. One large study found some dog foods created up to 65 times more greenhouse gases than others. In Australia, kangaroo is a lower-impact red meat: wild-harvested under rules, with no cleared land or feed crops and far less methane than cattle or sheep. Fish isn’t always simpler either, as farmed salmon needs feed and energy, and fishmeal can pressure wild stocks.

Smarter feeding choices

• Measure meals instead of guessing, and don’t overfeed.
• Choose dry over wet food where suitable for your pet.
• Consider lower-meat, insect-protein or plant-based dog foods.
• Be extra careful with cats: meat-free diets need commercial formulation and vet advice.
• Use safe scraps and garden greens for chickens.
• Grow herbs or greens that can be made into treats or incorporated into their meals.

For more practical tips to help you live more sustainably, get a copy of the Early Spring 2026 issue on sale at newsagents and selected supermarkets. Subscribe to the magazine today!