A medium-sized dog produces as much CO2 during its lifetime as driving 72,800 kilometers in a car, according to a study by researchers at the Technical University of Berlin. The study, published in the journal Sustainability, analyzed the ecological impact of a 15-kilogram dog that lives for 13 years, taking into account the resources used in the production and delivery of its food, as well as the environmental costs of its urine and feces. The study found that an average dog in Germany generates 8.2 tons of CO2 emissions during its lifetime, with the majority of emissions coming from its food, which is often high in meat.
The study’s co-author, Matthias Finkbeiner, notes that a dog’s CO2 emissions are equivalent to 630 kilograms per year, which is almost one-third of the CO2 budget that the average person can emit without significant climate consequences. The study also found that a dog’s feces and urine have a significant impact on the environment, contributing to over-fertilization of waterways and the poisoning of soil. Despite the additional waste generated by plastic bags used to dispose of dog waste, the study found that using bags is still preferable to allowing waste to enter the environment directly.
This study is the first attempt to comprehensively analyze the environmental impact of dog ownership, and the researchers suggest that dog owners should consider choosing smaller dogs to reduce their ecological footprint. The study highlights the need for greater awareness of the environmental impact of pet ownership and the importance of sustainable pet food production.
