What is the climate impact of dog food according to the University of Edinburgh study?

The University of Edinburgh study found that dog food contributes about 1% to the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, with significant variations based on food type.

Which types of dog food have the highest environmental impact?

Wet, raw, and meat-rich dog foods are associated with substantially higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to dry kibble.

How can dog owners reduce their pet's carbon pawprint?

Owners can reduce their pet's carbon pawprint by choosing dry kibble, looking for lower prime meat content, or exploring plant-based options.

Home / Environment / Dog Food's Huge Climate Pawprint Revealed

Dog Food's Huge Climate Pawprint Revealed

8 Jan

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Summary

Dog food contributes 1% to UK greenhouse gas emissions.
Wet, raw, and meat-rich foods have higher climate impact.
Choosing grain-free options increases environmental harm.

Dog Food's Huge Climate Pawprint Revealed

Dog food production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 1% of the UK's total. Research from the universities of Edinburgh and Exeter reveals substantial environmental differences between various dog food types. Wet, raw, and meat-rich diets generally have a greater climate impact than standard dry kibble.

The study calculated the carbon footprint of nearly 1,000 commercial dog foods. Producing ingredients for UK dog food contributes 2.3-3.7% of the UK food system's emissions. If other countries adopted similar feeding habits, the global emissions could exceed those from all commercial jet fuel annually.