Pet parents of the world, unite! The environment is degrading fast, and as responsible citizens of the world, it's our duty to protect the only planet with cats, dogs, and other lovely pet companions.

When you shop with The Original Poop Bags®, you are always supporting pet and environmental health! We want to make the world a better place for all, and our natural and biobased products help to achieve this goal. Shop with us now, and discover these five easy and eco-friendly ways to raise your pets and save the environment like the superhero that you are.

1. Buy Pet Foods With All-Natural Ingredients (or Make Your Own)

Most pet food on the market today are made with GMO ingredients like corn. They also contain preservatives which mostly prolong shelf life and enhance flavor. Most of the meat found in these pet foods are human-grade, but did you know that that's not the best source of protein for our pets? In fact, human-grade meat provides the least amount of protein for your animals! When doing your shopping for pet supplies next time, look for pet foods with the labels that denote they are organic, grass-fed, or sustainably-raised.

Speaking of packaging, it's also recommended to avoid buying canned pet foods. Canned cat and dog foods contain a high content of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and bisphenol A (BPA) in their packaging, which are both chemicals that disrupt the hormonal balance in animals. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also recommends searching for pet foods with high vegetable content or those with secondary products like organs or bone meal.

You can also try making your pet's food! It's healthier since it emphasizes raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables in your pet's diet. Some pet owners, particularly dog parents, also say feeding their pets with a raw diet has brought their pets healthier skin, shinier coats, and higher energy levels. During ancient times, animals used to prey on raw meat. If they've been practicing this diet for centuries, then there's no reason to be scared feeding them with a raw diet now.

You might spend a little more than your normal food budget trying to come up with pet food that Gordon Ramsay won't swear to death, but for the love of Mother Earth, why not? Don’t force your pets to embrace the new diet immediately. The transition for healthy eating for your pets may take longer, so be patient.

2. DIY Your Pet's Toys

Bring out the sewing kits, the materials, and the first aid kit. We're making our pet companions their new toys! Gather your old shirts and rags and make a stuffed toy for your pet. Turn cloth scraps into knotted balls. Let your creativity out and have fun making as many improvised toys as you can! It doesn't matter if you're not able to make the loveliest toy out there. Your pets don't judge you when you wake up in the morning with drool on your face or when you're in the middle of an acne breakout, so they won’t mind a goofy-looking toy. Sometimes, you won't need to go artsy-crafty to make your pets happy. They can find entertainment in the simplest (and sometimes the strangest) things at home. For instance, cats are happy when they see an empty box. Even small paper bags can make cats and dogs happy!

3. Get Your Pet's Poop Together

Leaving your pet's poop unattended can bring more major problems in the environment and your health! Dog waste, in particular, contains nitrogen and phosphorus, and when it is washed away, these chemicals can start an outbreak of toxic algae. As yucky as it may sound, the best way to dispose of your pet's poop is to scoop them and Kobe Bryant it to the trash. Remember to use a biobased poop bags from The Original Poop Bags® for scooping so the bag won't stay in landfills for a long period of time.

4. Ditch Your Pet's Stuff With TOXIC Written All Over It

Most of these items like litter boxes, food bowls, and toys are commonly made with plastic, which is known as a great contributor to the environmental damage to the planet. So if you want to lessen the waste and toxicity at home, ditch these items and replace them with those made with environment-friendly materials. Let the toxicity remain at work, not at home.

Go for eco-friendly options instead for your cat's disposal area. While you're at it, throw the clumping cat litter away. Clumping litter is made from a type of clay called sodium bentonite, which can trigger asthma or other respiratory problems to both cats and humans. Bentonite clay is also derived through the environmentally-harming strip mining.

When buying pet toys, make sure they aren't made of plastic with vinyl or phthalates. For a tip, check out the kiddie section on toy stores and browse for toddler-friendly items like stuffed toys.

5. Spay and Neuter Your Beloved Companions

Homeless cats and dogs are usually harbingers of diseases and infections since they're exposed to dirt and diseases from a polluted environment. Because there's no one to take care of them full-time, they roam around freely with poor hygiene and untreated wounds, spreading viruses and infections to both humans and other animals. Not to mention they do their poo business anywhere they feel like doing it. When the rain pours, they get washed into sewers and canals. If you remember, these wastes contain chemicals that can trigger a toxic algae outbreak. So spay and neuter your pets to help shelters lessen their problems with homeless animals that get to roam unprotected, or end up euthanized at the end.