Have you ever considered the environmental impact of your pet? A new book by Robert and Brenda Vale may change that. In, Time to Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living, the authors explore the environmental impact of – among other pets – cats and dogs.

That furry creature lying on the floor by your feet makes a pretty big dent in the landscape. According to the authors a Toyota Land Cruiser’s eco-footprint is less than half that of a medium-sized dog. The majority of our pets’ impact comes from the production of pet food and the toll our pets take by spreading disease and…. uhm…. Poop.

So what’s an eco-conscious pet owner to do?

• Change their diet so that they eat less meat-based food

• Don’t walk your dogs in natural habitats of wild animals

• Keep cats in at night (they are more predatory at night)

While I am not about to give-up my dog, I will start considering how both of us can be more eco-conscious.