We wrote before about the challenges with dealing with pet poop on your walks and the downfalls of compostable poop bags. But it doesn’t end there. We all love to take our dogs and cats with us. They deserve to have fun too!

Research shows that 60% of pet owners bring their pets on vacation, and nearly 30% of traveling pets go camping. Moreover, 50% of pet parents take their pups hiking, and Kampgrounds of America (KOA) reports that 62% of their campers bring their pets along. While this connection to nature is beneficial for both humans and animals, it necessitates a heightened awareness of our collective environmental footprint.

One of the founders of the National Park Service, Teddy Roosevelt agrees. Fala, the Scottish Terrier, was quite possibly America’s favorite presidential pet. So popular, in fact, that his statue receives a prominent position next to the statue of his owner, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in the third room of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Leave No Trace Principles for Pets

At the heart of responsible outdoor recreation lies the Leave No Trace (LNT) philosophy. While often associated with human activities, these seven principles are equally vital when we bring our animal companions along. Adhering to them helps preserve the integrity of natural ecosystems, protect wildlife, and ensure a positive experience for all outdoor users.

The National Park Service has also developed the B.A.R.K. program which stands for:

Bag your pet’s waste
Always leash your pet
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go

If you are ready to become a BARK Ranger, pets can take their human to one of the park visitor centers and take the BARK Ranger Pledge. After taking the pledge your human can puchase a BARK Ranger tag and bandana.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Before hitting the trail or setting up camp, research pet regulations for your chosen destination. Many national parks and wilderness areas have restrictions on pets to protect sensitive ecosystems or wildlife.

The National Park Service encourages you to “Hike with your dog. Camp with your cat.” in parks where they allow pets. But, many parks do not allow pets on hiking trails or boardwalks. Always check park regulations if you plan on hiking during your stay.

Many parks will not allow you to tie your tether to a tree, so bring a stake to put in the ground. Most parks have a 6 ft leash policy, but check your park for specific rules. Some popular examples are below:

Few pet-friendly national parks offer more opportunities to take a hike with your pooch than Acadia National Park. Spanning several islands along the rugged Maine coast, Acadia National Park features 100 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads where leashed pets are welcome.
Pet visitors to Yosemite National Park can enjoy walks along fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths (except those signed as not allowing pets), as well as visits to developed areas and campgrounds (except walk-in campgrounds).
Of the 500 miles of marked hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park, only 20 are off-limits to pets, giving you and Fido plenty of room to explore. Some of the best short hikes to take with your dog are accessible along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Pets are allowed at Shenandoah's campgrounds as well, and the park even has pet-friendly lodging available.

Pack all necessary pet supplies, including food, water, bowls, waste bags, and first-aid. Repackage pet food into reusable containers to minimize waste.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Keep your pet on established trails and campsites. This prevents damage to fragile vegetation, erosion, and the creation of new, informal paths. Discourage your pet from chasing wildlife or disturbing plants. When camping, ensure your pet stays within designated areas and does not dig or disturb the natural ground. Most parks allow dogs on paved trails, with fewer allowing them on wilderness trails. Most National Parks prohibit dogs from barking too much or howling, especially in the evenings when nocturnal wildlife are on the hunt.

Dispose of Waste Properly

This is arguably the most critical and often overlooked principle for pet owners. Even when dogs are not present in an area, they can still have an effect. Dogs leave glandular scent marks, poop, urine, and other traces that effectively indicate ‘presence of predators’ to multiple wildlife taxa even in their physical absence. Across the board wildlife such as deer, foxes and bobcats avoid areas within 150-300 feet of trails where dogs are allowed.

Always pack out your pet's solid waste. While "biodegradable" bags are marketed as ecofriendly, it's crucial to understand their limitations. Most biodegradable bags require specific composting conditions to break down fully, which are rarely met in landfills or natural environments. In fact, over 95% of dog owners dispose of their dog poop bags in general waste, rendering biodegradability irrelevant in most cases.

The most ecofriendly option is to choose bags made from recycled materials, or even better, to invest in a portable pet waste composter or a sturdy trowel for burying waste in appropriate areas (at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and campsites, buried 6-8 inches deep) where regulations allow.

Dogs can transmit diseases to wildlife. Over 80% of pathogens that infect domesticated animals also infect wildlife: for example, canine distemper from domestic dogs can spread to lions and spotted hyenas. Rabies from domesticated dogs has been implicated in the decline of endangered Ethiopian wolves and African wild dogs.

And please don’t be “that” hiker that leaves your pet’s poop bag on the ground to “pick up later”, because let’s all be honest with ourselves - you won’t.

Urine, while less impactful than solid waste, can destroy rare native plants. Excess nitrogen from pet poop and urine can spread nitrogen-loving invasive weeds at the expense of native plants.

Pet urine can also confuse predators and prey that live in the wilderness and alter their movement and migration. Studies have found that animals like deer, foxes and bobcats in the U.S. are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked, even in the absence of the dogs.

Leave What You Find

This applies to both natural objects and cultural artifacts. Teach your pet not to disturb or collect natural items like rocks, plants, or feathers. This also means preventing your pet from interacting with or damaging historical structures. Letting your dog drag old sticks around could mean they are transporting invasive species and diseases to other parts of the park.

A big one is digging. Letting dogs dig could mean they destroy rare plants but also could destroy burrow used by endangered species that live in those burrows like burrowing owls and tiger salamanders. Let’s not forget they could accidentally encounter dangerous animals like rattlesnakes, scorpions and spiders.

If campfires are permitted, ensure your pet remains a safe distance from the fire and does not disturb the fire ring or surrounding area. Consider using a lightweight stove for cooking to minimize fire impact altogether.

Respect Wildlife

This is paramount. Keep your pet under strict control at all times, ideally on a leash. Wildlife often perceive pets as predators, and even a well-behaved dog can cause stress or injury to wild animals. Feeding wildlife is detrimental to their health and alters their natural behaviors; ensure your pet doesn't inadvertently share food or treats with wild animals. Be especially mindful during sensitive times like mating, nesting, or raising young.

The negative effects of dogs on wildlife in natural areas are often linked to the behavior of their owners. A particularly egregious example is that of unrestrained owned dogs attacking Little Penguins at colonies in Tasmania, where modelling has indicated that regardless of colony size, dog attacks can be severe enough to lead to colony collapse and 91% of penguin deaths from 1980 to 2020.

It is important to recognize that an animal does not have to be caught and/or killed by a dog to suffer. Shore-nesting birds are particularly susceptible to disturbance by dogs.

The easiest was to reduce the worst effects of disturbance by dogs is to keep them leashed on beaches and maintain a buffer distance from nesting or roosting shorebirds. The same is true for other wildlife.

Eco-Friendly Gear for Your Pet

The market for sustainable pet products is expanding, offering innovative solutions for eco-conscious adventurers. Choosing durable, reusable, and responsibly sourced gear significantly reduces your environmental footprint.You can also buy leashes

Leashes and Collars

Look for leashes and collars made from recycled plastics (like PET bottles), upcycled climbing ropes, or sustainable natural fibers like hemp or organic cotton. Brands like Wilderdog offer collars made from climbing rope, known for their durability. You can support the cleanup of ocean plastic waste by buying leashes made from this massive floating waste pile.

Food and Water Bowls

Ditch single-use plastic bags for pet food. Opt for collapsible, reusable bowls made from silicone or stainless steel. The Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Bowl, for example, folds down to the size of a credit card but holds a substantial amount of water, and is made from durable Dyneema.

Waste Management

While the biodegradability of many "biodegradable" bags is questionable in landfills, truly compostable bags (certified home compostable) are a better option if you have access to industrial composting facilities.

Brands like Earth Rated and PoopBags.com offer options. Alternatively, bags made from recycled plastic offer a more immediate reduction in new plastic production.

Pet Carriers and Backpacks

Many brands are now incorporating recycled materials into their pet carriers and backpacks. Look for options made from recycled nylon or polyester.

Choose carriers that are built to last and can serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for specialized gear. Some carriers double as car seats or strollers

Sleep Systems

If your pet needs a dedicated sleeping area, consider beds or mats made from organic cotton, hemp, or recycled fill materials. Some brands offer packable dog beds made with recycled insulation.

Toys

Ditch plastic toys that can shed microplastics or break easily. Opt for toys made from natural rubber, hemp, organic cotton, or sustainably sourced wood. Friendsheep offers eco-wool pet toy balls. For wood, make sure its sterilized it before taking it to the wilderness.

First-Aid Kits

Assemble a pet first-aid kit with sustainable items where possible. Look for bandages and gauze made from biodegradable or organic cotton, antiseptic wipes with natural ingredients, and stainless steel tools like tweezers and scissors. Brands like PATCH Pet offer eco-friendly first-aid kits with plastic-free components.

Going Beyond Leave No Trace

Beyond gear, your actions are the most significant determinant of your environmental impact.

Training and Socialization

A well-trained pet is an eco-friendly pet. Teach your dog reliable recall and basic obedience commands. This minimizes the risk of them chasing wildlife, getting lost, or disturbing other trail users. Proper socialization helps ensure your pet is calm and respectful around other people and animals.

Waste Management Beyond Bags

While packing out waste is paramount, consider the larger picture.

"Scoop and Bury" (where permitted): In remote, undeveloped areas where regulations allow, burying pet waste appropriately (away from water, trails, and campsites) can be a viable option, promoting decomposition. However, this is rarely appropriate in popular areas. If so, it needs to be buried at least 8 inches deep.

Worm Composting: At home, consider a worm composting system for pet waste. This breaks down the waste naturally and creates nutrient-rich fertilizer for non-edible plants. If you are camping for awhile you can also take it with you.

Water Conservation

When bathing your pet outdoors, use biodegradable soap and wash at least 200 feet away from any water source to prevent contamination. Minimize water use during cleaning. While camping you can use 50-50 apple cider vinegar and water or baking soda.

Managing Shedding

While unavoidable, regularly grooming your pet can help minimize shedding of hair and dander in natural areas. This can reduce the potential for introducing non-native materials into ecosystems.

Respecting Wildlife Closures

Adhere strictly to any wildlife closures or seasonal restrictions that aim to protect sensitive breeding grounds or winter habitats. These are put in place for a reason.

Minimizing Scent Pollution

Pet waste, food, and even pet products can leave scents that can attract wildlife, potentially leading to human-wildlife conflicts. Store pet food securely, pack out all waste, and be mindful of strong-smelling pet sprays or shampoos.

Dogs that enter fresh water, even if not in pursuit of wildlife, can have a significant negative effect on this environment. Topical flea/tick medications applied to a dog’s fur wash off into natural waterways and cause non-target mortality, affecting aquatic insects and possibly fish. This can happen for other wildlife also. Nests of Blue Tits and Great Tits lined with fur with more insecticide types or higher concentration of insecticides were more likely have dead offspring or unhatched eggs.

Responsible Sourcing of Pet Food

While not directly related to outdoor adventures, your everyday choices impact your environmental footprint. Consider pet food brands that prioritize sustainable sourcing of ingredients, minimize waste in their packaging, and have a transparent supply chain.

How to Be Ecofriendly and Pet Friendly on Your Hikes