“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings

Happy Thursday! Here's the scoop:

• Would you swap out your dog’s dinner for...bugs?

• An eco-friendly dog toy you can make in minutes

• A sustainable product to “pick up”

The benefit of bugs
Many pet owners impulsively bark “leave it!” when their pooch prepares to feast on a bug. But despite what scientists and certified professionals call “icky,” insects could be an up-and-coming sustainable secret weapon for the pet food industry.

It’s no secret that Impossible Burgers, “Meatless Mondays,” and plant-based diets are currently trending on the human front. However, 180 million four-legged members of U.S. households are still fed some form of meat at almost every meal.

Of course, we know that our beloved pups need a variety of vitamins and nutrients to be their healthiest selves, but many dog owners are starting to add a new vital protein into the rotation: crickets.

Before getting the heebie jeebies, consider the impact livestock farming has on our environment. An acre of land can produce approximately:

• 192 pounds of beef annually

• 265 pounds of poultry annually

• 65,000 (!) pounds of crickets annually

Farming insects releases significantly less carbon and methane (livestock farming produces ~15% of global greenhouse gas emissions), and, according to Jiminy’s - an insect-based dog food brand - switching a Golden Retriever to a diet of crickets saves 4.4 million gallons of water each year.

Don’t believe it? Try their eco-calculator to see how you can reduce your dog’s carbon pawprint!

”As a pet food, there are no compromises,” according to Anne Carlson, Jiminy’s founder. “It’s humane. It’s hypoallergenic. It’s delicious.” Considering that insects are already a delicacy in much of the world (fried grasshoppers in Thailand, worms at the bottom of mezcal bottles in Mexico, boiled caterpillars in the Congo), they just might be onto something.

Crickets and guac, anyone?

Do(g)-It-Yourself
At Daily Dig we’re always searching for ways to introduce more eco-friendly activities into our pet’s lives. Since most DIY projects require opposable thumbs, however, this one will need some light human intervention. Fortunately, your pup will reap the rewards of your efforts and you’ll be thanked with a few wet kisses and hours of self-entertainment.

Water Bottle Sock Toys
(Now accepting suggestions for a more creative name at woof@dailydigdogs.com)

What you'll need:

• An old sock

• An empty plastic water bottle

Instructions
Remove the water bottle cap and ring. Insert the empty bottle into the sock (opt for ankle length or higher if possible). Knot the opening of the sock so that the water bottle is secure in the foot.

Voila! You just home-made what many companies will sell to you for upwards of $20 with 100% recycled materials. Dogs love the crackly sound these toys make, and you can simply recycle the bottle and socks once your pup loses interest (or the bottle gets thoroughly crushed). This easy toy can be made and remade time and again for hours of enjoyment!

What we're digging
Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite dog topic: poop.

Whether you’d care to admit it or not, you’re likely picking up after your dog 3+ times a day. If you’re using a plastic disposable bag each time, that can result in over 1,000 plastic bags going to landfill each year! Fortunately, one company is doo-ing the work to make disposing of your pooches poo more eco-friendly.

Meet beyondGREEN. The company’s Dog Waste Bags are made with FSC Certified Paper, fully recyclable, and approved by the Compost Manufacturing Alliance. All bags are 100% natural, chemical-free, and made in the U.S.

Plus, with each purchase, you’ll directly invest in beyondGreen’s mission of planting 50 million trees by 2023. Consider that a win-win-win for you, your pup, and the planet.

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