by: Briahna Hendey
Every year, more and more people try to find a way to celebrate the holidays in a more environmentally friendly way. If you're the type of pet parent who uses upcycled pet toys and compostable poop bags, you might be looking for ways to apply this eco-friendly approach to your seasonal celebrations with your pup.
While such an approach to the holidays might never be entirely zero-waste, it is a great way to switch away from a disposable gift mindset toward experience-based, DIY, or consumable gifts.
One of the guiding principles of "zero-waste" gift-giving is to only gift items or experiences that the recipient will genuinely enjoy. So, with that in mind, we've made this list (and checked it twice) with 10 sustainable ways to celebrate the holidays that will surely get tails wagging!
Tip #1: Leave Out Some Cookies
Baking is a quintessential part of the holidays that most dogs are eager to partake in! Let your dog share in the holiday fun by baking dog-friendly Christmas cookies just for them! Any festive cookie cutters you already have on hand can be used to lend a holiday spirit and help with portion size.
If you prefer no-bake treats, you can always opt for some frozen treats made in a silicone mold of your choosing.
Tip #2: Make Every Day Boxing Day
Much like humans, dogs love to unwrap gifts. In fact, for many dogs, the mere act of unwrapping a gift box is the gift. Shredding is a natural behavior for dogs, so giving them an appropriate outlet for it is very important. And while a cute new stuffed animal might be adorable, your dog (and the environment) might sometimes prefer to shred a bit of cardboard! You can make this as festive or basic as you'd like, using materials around your home, such as an old cardboard box filled with newspaper or empty toilet paper rolls.
If your dog is new to shredding boxes, adjust the difficulty level accordingly. Keep the box open and hide some treats in the newspaper or toilet paper rolls. Always be sure to supervise!
Tip #3: Save Some Dough
... and by dough, we mean salt dough ornaments! If you want to make lasting memories with your pup (and a lasting imprint of their paw), a homemade salt dough ornament is a budget-friendly and plastic-free way to do so! The only supplies needed to make these DIY ornaments are all-purpose flour, salt, water, and a bit of ribbon or twine to hang it with. This activity can be equally enjoyed by any (human) children joining in your holiday celebrations, too!
If your dog isn't used to their paws being handled, teaching them to give you their paw or "shake" is a great starting point! Working together to make these ornaments gets your dog in on the fun. Just don't forget to reward their participation with one of those holiday treats we mentioned earlier.
Tip #4: Capture the Moment
Whether or not you send holiday greeting cards, taking festive pictures with your dog is a great way to commemorate the season together! If you are looking for an extra festive flair but your dog isn't comfortable wearing a costume, digital elements can be easily added after taking the photo. Bonus: goofy Photoshop or Canva effects are much better for the environment than mass-produced dog costumes. You can also teach your dog a special pose like "sit pretty" for added effect.
Tip #5: Spend Some Bonding Time Together
Gifting an experience to your dog is a great way to strengthen your bond with your pup. This can be as simple as introducing a new DIY game to play with or taking them on a walk somewhere you think they might enjoy.
If you want to splurge on an experience you can enjoy together, consider enrolling them in a new activity, like agility or rally-O classes. Whatever you choose to do together, pick an activity that you know your dog will love.
Tip #6: Tug on Their Heartstrings
If giving gifts is your love language and tug-of-war is your dog's, you can't go wrong with a new tug toy. Instead of buying something brand-new from the store, consider going the DIY route by upcycling an old t-shirt. Making one is easy, and it is also a convenient way to empty any over-crowded T-shirt drawers. If your dog isn't a big fan of tug, there are plenty of other no-sew T-shirt toys to choose from, so you can easily make one that suits their play style.
Tip #7: Sniff Out the Perfect Gift
A dog's nose is its most prized possession, which makes sense, considering they make their way through the world nose-first. If you've got a smell-curious, investigative pup, you can't go wrong with putting a snuffle mat in their stocking. A snuffle mat is a perfect way to encourage ultra-rewarding sniffing and seeking behaviors. Luckily, they're pretty easy to make at home. The only materials required are strips of scrap fabric and a kitchen sink mat. For a more environmentally friendly option, use materials you already have on hand, like old T-shirts or blankets with holes, for cutting into the fabric strips.
Tip #8: Shop Small
If you really want to buy something new for your pup this year, there's no shame in supporting a local shop. Purchasing from small businesses is a vital way to support your community and a fun way to discover unique, high-quality gifts that your (two- and four-legged) loved ones will be sure to love! Even better, small businesses usually stand by their products, offering repairs and customized service, making them more sustainable than larger companies in a myriad of ways.
Tip #9: Pay it Forward
It's the season of giving! Consider sharing some of these DIY gifts with other dogs in your life, or drop off some goodies at your local shelter. The only thing better than one happy dog is multiple happy dogs!
Tip #10: Get Shredded
Before you toss all of that extra wrapping paper into the trash, set some aside for future shredding and enrichment activities for your dog! Many wrapping papers are not recyclable owing to the mixed materials used (metallic paper and glitter are not recyclable), so you may as well get one extra use before sending it to landfill.
For a more eco-friendly wrapping alternative, you can use reusable gift sacks or more basic wrapping papers, like butcher paper (which is both recyclable and compostable). If you plan on composting, the paper can still be used for enrichment activities before entering your compost bin!
And That's a Wrap!
The holidays are all about spending quality time with loved ones and enjoying experiences together. While there might be unrealistic pressure around buying things, sustainable options do exist. From homemade and DIY gifts to bonding experiences, buying shiny new toys is not the only way to celebrate the holidays with your pup.
And if you're not particularly crafty or you don't have the ability (or desire) to cut up an old t-shirt to make a new toy, remember this: your dog, more than anybody, would love nothing more than to enjoy your company (and maybe steal a bite or two of your holiday treats).
Happy Holidays!
