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Eco-Friendly Pet Care: Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

Being a responsible pet parent goes beyond what’s in the bowl. The products we choose for our pets, from the food we feed them to the packaging it comes in, can have a real impact on the health of our planet. The good news? Making more sustainable choices for your pet doesn’t have to be complicated.

A growing number of pet food brands are leading the way with thoughtful sourcing, cleaner ingredients, and a genuine commitment to reducing their environmental footprint. 

1. Open Farm

Open Farm, a proudly Canadian brand, has built its entire identity around doing things the right way. Their commitment to sustainability runs deep across every part of the business.

Their proteins are humanely raised, third-party certified, and free from antibiotics and added hormones. Their seafood is 100% sustainably sourced and certified by leading standards like Ocean Wise and the Marine Stewardship Council. 

Every product includes a QR code that lets you trace every ingredient back to its geographic origin, view safety test results, and see the carbon footprint of that specific recipe. In 2024 alone, they donated over 282,000 lbs of pet food to organizations in need and are actively working toward zero waste to landfill by the end of 2025.

For pet parents who want to know exactly where their pet’s food comes from, Open Farm delivers on that promise.

2. The Honest Kitchen: Human-Grade Ingredients, Planet-First Thinking

The Honest Kitchen is one of the few pet food brands in North America to hold Certified B Corporation status, meaning they’ve been independently verified for their positive impact on people, communities, and the environment.

They prioritize local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation, consolidate ingredient purchases to minimize freight emissions, and source produce that is confirmed non-GMO. Their fish is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, and 63% of their packaging is made from renewable materials and is fully recyclable.

Their dehydrated food format is worth highlighting as a sustainability win on its own. A 10 lb box of The Honest Kitchen rehydrates into the equivalent of 40 lbs of food, making it significantly more compact and efficient to ship than traditional wet or dry food. Less packaging, less fuel, less waste.

They also support minority suppliers and operate with a strong commitment to the communities their business touches. For pet parents who care about the full picture, The Honest Kitchen is a brand that genuinely walks the talk.

3. ZIWI

ZIWI is a New Zealand-based brand whose sustainability philosophy is rooted in something deeper than policy documents. Their approach is guided by the Māori culture’s concept of kaitiakitanga, which means acting as a guardian of the land, sea, and its creatures for future generations.

Their recipes are made with raw meat, organs, and sustainably sourced seafood, reflecting a carnivore-first approach to pet nutrition. Their ingredients come from New Zealand’s pasture-raised farms and ethical fishing operations, where animal welfare and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

ZIWI believes that the bond between pets and their people, what they call kinship, is strengthened through high-quality, thoughtfully made food. Feeding your pet well and caring for the planet are not competing goals for ZIWI. They are part of the same mission.

4. Primal

One of the most significant environmental issues in the pet food industry is packaging waste. According to the Pet Sustainability Coalition, 99% of all pet food and treat packaging ends up in landfill, amounting to roughly 300 million pounds of waste every year from the pet food and treats industry alone.

In 2022, they signed the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s Packaging Pledge, a public, time-bound commitment to move toward more recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging. The pledge is backed by organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Closed Loop Partners, and The Recycling Partnership.

Primal has already made progress: their Freeze-Dried Raw Toppers, Treats, and Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto lines are all sold in recyclable packaging. Their Raw Goat Milk bottles are recyclable, and their Fresh Topper containers incorporate post-consumer recycled paper fiber.

For pet parents who want to reduce the waste associated with their pet’s food, Primal is a brand moving in the right direction.

Small Choices, Big Impact

Every bag of food you choose is a small vote for the kind of pet industry you want to support. Brands like Open Farm, The Honest Kitchen, ZIWI, and Primal are proof that high-quality nutrition and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

At the Bone & Biscuit, we’re proud to carry brands that share our values. Whether you’re looking to reduce packaging waste, support more humane farming practices, or simply feed your pet cleaner ingredients, our team is here to help you find the right fit.

Stop by your local the Bone & Biscuit store to explore these brands and chat with our team about making more sustainable choices for your pet.

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