The holidays are here! 🎄 It’s the season of love, joy, and—let’s be honest—a lot of food. But while we’re busy cooking festive meals, wrapping gifts, and soaking up the cozy vibes, the planet feels the weight of all that celebrating. From big holiday feasts to mountains of packaging, this time of year often comes with a little extra strain on our environment.

Here’s something you may not have thought about: your furry friend’s dinner bowl plays a role, too! Traditional meat-based dog food has a much bigger impact on the planet than most people realize. The good news? You can make a difference with one simple, thoughtful choice—switching to plant-based dog food.

Here’s how small changes during the holidays can help create a greener, kinder season for all.

The Environmental Toll of the Holiday Season

The holidays are a time of abundance, but all that extra food, packaging, and energy add up:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Livestock farming generates significant amounts of methane—a powerful greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. Processing and transporting meat-based ingredients further increases emissions. A University of Edinburgh study found that 106 million tons of carbon dioxide are released into the environment each year by the pet food business.
• Deforestation: Vast areas of forest, including the Amazon rainforest, are cleared to raise livestock and grow feed crops. This not only destroys habitats but also reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Approximately 10% of global warming is attributed to forest loss and destruction, according to WWF.
• Water Usage: Producing meat requires an enormous amount of water. For example,The Water Footprint Network states that 1,800 gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of beef, whereas PETA places the figure at 2,400 gallons. Read more about the water footprint of meat-based and plant-based dog diets here!
• Resource Inefficiency: Raising livestock for food requires far more land, energy, and water compared to growing plants for human or animal consumption.

And it’s not just humans at the table. Dogs are part of our celebrations, too! In fact, meat-based pet food has a surprisingly large footprint. Raising livestock for meat requires huge amounts of land, water, and energy—resources that are already stretched thin. Some data even suggest that if dogs and cats were their own country, they’d be among the world’s top emitters of greenhouse gases!

That’s a lot of pressure for a dog bowl.

How Plant-Based Dog Food Makes a Big Difference

Here’s the good news: switching your dog’s food to a plant-based option is one of the simplest ways to reduce their pawprint. A vegan diet for dogs has some incredible benefits for the planet:

• Fewer Emissions: Plant-based meals generate far fewer greenhouse gases than meat-based foods.
• Water Conservation: Growing plants uses a fraction of the water needed to produce meat.
• Protecting Forests: Plant-based foods don’t rely on land-clearing for livestock, helping to preserve forests and habitats.
• Protecting Livestock Lives: In addition to the environmental benefits, a plant-based diet also saves countless animal lives. 

Since our launch three years ago, PawCo has saved approximately 2,190 livestock lives, conserved up to 280,000,000 liters of water, and reduced up to 935,000 kg of CO2 emissions by using only vegan ingredients, recycled/recyclable packaging, and constantly working towards reducing our resource usage and improving efficiency.

It’s like this: every time you swap a meat-based meal for a plant-based one, you’re giving back to the Earth. Small, thoughtful choices add up to a big impact over time.

Kind Choices, Happy Holidays

The holidays are all about giving—giving love, sharing meals, and creating memories. But it’s also a time to reflect on how we can extend that kindness to the world around us. Choosing plant-based food for your dog is an easy, meaningful way to align your holiday celebrations with your values of care and compassion.

Here’s the best part: plant-based doesn’t mean compromising on your dog’s health. Vegan dog food is designed to be nutritionally complete, giving your pup all the protein, vitamins, and minerals they need to thrive. Research by Dr. Andrew Knight even shows it could be the absolute best choice for your furry friend when it comes to health! It’s a win-win for your four-legged family member and the planet.

Easy Ways to Make the Holidays Greener

Looking to keep things simple while still doing good? Here are a few small, impactful steps to embrace sustainability this season:

• Rethink Your Dog’s Bowl: Swap meat-based meals for plant-based options to reduce emissions and save water.
• Avoid Food Waste: Serve the right portions for your dog and your family to minimize waste.
• Choose Eco-Friendly Treats: Opt for treats made with sustainable ingredients.
• Recycle and Compost: Properly dispose of packaging and leftover scraps.
• Gift Mindfully: If you’re giving dog-friendly gifts, look for items made with the environment in mind, like reusable toys or treats in recyclable packaging. 

Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. Small choices, like what goes into your dog’s dinner, are a great place to start.

Every Bowl Makes a Difference

At its heart, the holiday season is about joy, kindness, and giving back. By choosing plant-based dog food, you’re giving your furry friend a meal that’s not just good for them, but also good for the planet and animals everywhere. It’s a small choice with a ripple effect that lasts long after the lights come down and the leftovers are gone. Check out all the options from PawCo here!

This year, let’s celebrate a little differently. Let’s share the love—not just with our families, but with the world we all share. For a kinder future. 🌱