A 10 kg dog eats an average of 534 calories per day and emits about 828 kg of carbon dioxide per year on a diet of dry food. A dog on a wet diet emits up to 6,541 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. That’s nearly seven times as much.
More and more people around the world have dogs or cats at home. For example, the United States currently has about 76.8 million dogs and 58.4 million cats. The research shows how owners can feed their pets more sustainably while still providing them with adequate nutrients and calories.
Scientists examined 816 dog diets and 320 cat diets in Brazil. They compared all types of food, from kibble and biscuits to meat meals and foods the owners made themselves. They tested the nutritional value of the diet and its impact on the environment.
Wet diets for cats and dogs have the greatest impact on the environment, especially when compared to dry diets. Homemade diets tend to have a moderate environmental impact, although water consumption for homemade foods is similar to dry diets.
The researchers are excited. They wrote: “We have found a new way for people to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.”
