“If nothing else, pick up your own dogs shit.” That line might sound blunt, but it sets the tone for a recent Australian review that paints a stark picture of the environmental cost of dog ownership. According to the review, published in Pacific Conservation Biology, dogs have “extensive and multifarious” environmental impacts, including disturbing wildlife, polluting waterways, and contributing to global carbon emissions.
A Carnivore’s Footprint: More Than Meets the Eye
The research highlights that “the environmental impact of owned dogs is far greater, more insidious, and more concerning than is generally recognised.” While cats have long been scrutinized for their ecological damage, the environmental consequences of dogs have received far less attention—until now.
Dogs, identified in the review as the world’s “commonest large carnivore,” are major disruptors of native wildlife. In particular, they disturb and kill animals, especially vulnerable shorebirds. The review pointed to attacks by unrestrained dogs on little penguins in Tasmania that may lead to colony collapse. Moreover, a study from the Australia Zoo wildlife hospital revealed that dog attacks were the second most common reason for animal admissions—only behind car strikes—and the leading cause of mortality among the admitted animals.
Dogs in the Wild: A Disruption to Ecosystems
In the United States, research shows similar patterns. Deer, foxes, and bobcats avoid or become less active in wilderness areas where dogs are allowed. Additionally, the chemicals from flea and tick treatments on dogs often end up in waterways, where they kill aquatic invertebrates. Even dog feces aren’t harmless—they leave behind scent traces, alter soil chemistry, and hinder plant growth.
The Carbon Cost of Canine Companionship
Environmental consequences go beyond direct interaction with nature. A 2020 study cited in the review found that the dry pet food industry alone had an environmental footprint requiring land “around twice the land area of the UK.” The industry was also responsible for greenhouse gas emissions ranging between 56 and 151 Mt CO₂—comparable to emissions from the 60th highest-emitting country globally.
Not Blaming Dogs, But Raising Awareness
Prof Bill Bateman of Curtin University, lead author of the review, clarified the purpose of the findings. “The research did not intend to be ‘censorious’ but aimed to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of man’s best friend,” he said.
“Although we’ve pointed out these issues with dogs in natural environments… there is that other balancing side, which is that people will probably go out and really enjoy the environment around them—and perhaps feel more protective about it—because they’re out there walking their dog in it.”
Dogs as Lifelines: A Human Perspective
The review also acknowledges the deep human connection to dogs. Angelika von Sanden, a trauma therapist and author of Sit Stay Grow: How Dogs Can Help You Worry Less and Walk into a Better Future, shared that for many of her clients, a dog’s companionship was “literally the only reason to survive, to get up, to still keep going.”
“It gives them a reason to get up, a reason to get out, a reason to move around and be in contact a little bit with the world outside,” she said. She added that “Dog owners can get a bad name if they are not aware of the surroundings they are in and of other people around them.”
What Can Be Done?
The review placed much of the responsibility on the actions of pet owners. The researchers attributed the extent of the ecological damage to “the sheer number of dogs globally, as well as the lax or uninformed behavior of dog owners.”
Simple solutions include keeping dogs leashed in areas where restrictions apply and maintaining a safe distance from nesting or roosting shorebirds. As Bateman pointed out, “A lot of what we’re talking about can be ameliorated by owners’ behavior,” and poor compliance with leash laws remains a significant issue.
Toward More Sustainable Pet Practices
In some regions, Bateman suggested, “we actually need to consider some slightly more robust laws.” Introducing dog exclusion zones may help protect sensitive habitats. Additionally, choosing more environmentally friendly pet food could reduce the “environmental paw print” of dogs—though Bateman noted that “more sustainable dog food tends to cost more than the cheap dog food that we buy which has a higher carbon footprint.”
Final Thoughts
While dogs remain beloved companions and essential emotional support for many, the study offers a sobering reminder: pet ownership comes with responsibility—not just to the animal, but to the environment they (and we) inhabit.
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