(BPT) — Among the many ways you can provide for your four-legged friends while making responsible choices for the environment are some of the following ideas:

Adopt your pet

Adopting your pet from a local shelter helps animals in your community. Animals raised to be sold in stores likely come from unhealthy beginnings, like puppy mills, and are transferred to stores from far away. Looking for your new friend in a local shelter is not only much more sustainable for your community, but also more humane.

Feed your pet responsibly sourced and sustainably produced food

Look for companies that use responsibly, sustainably sourced food that also provides high-quality nutrition for your animal companion. Also be mindful of packaging.

Use renewable and biodegradable pet products

No matter what pets you have in your home, you have to deal with waste disposal. For cat owners, cat litter has seen a green revolution in recent years. For an earth-friendly option, Purina has their “Yesterday’s News Cat Litter,” which is made from recycled newspaper, making it possible that past issues of TRR have found a smelly second life.

For dog owners, many brands of biodegradable bags are available for cleaning up after them on walks.

If you care for animals like guinea pigs or hamsters, you can find eco-friendly bedding made from products like biodegradable, compostable recycled paper fibers or wheat straw.

Find earth-friendly grooming products

For bathing your dog, plenty of pet shampoos and other grooming products are made without fragrances. Look for pH-balanced soaps and shampoos containing no alcohols, sulfates, parabens or other preservatives.

Play with recycled pet toys

You can find many dog chews or tug toys made from hemp fiber or canvas with minimal packaging. As with all toys, ensure that it is safe and appropriate for your specific pet based on his or her unique play style.

For cats, DIYers can find great satisfaction creating inventive cat jungle gyms using items like recycled wood pallets and carpet scraps.

It’s a good feeling to provide your pets with products that will not only keep them safe, but are good for the planet as well—and today, there are many eco-friendly choices for pet owners. No matter what pets you share your life with, you can help the planet by choosing responsible, sustainable products that will provide them with a healthy, happy life.