One of the less glamorous parts of having a dog is looking after their bathroom needs at least three times a day.

We all know that bagging up dog poo is a must – but if you’re using regular disposable bags, all you’re doing is adding thousands of plastic bags to landfill that won’t break down.

Instead, use recycled or biodegradable poo bags, and if you have a garden, consider taking your bagged poo home in a compostable bag to use as fertiliser.

Failing that, follow the Forestry Commission’s advice to “find a stick, pick a spot, flick into the bushes so it can rot.”

It’s vital to ensure poo is out of footfall, but since animal poo is an organic material, it will break down in undergrowth while giving soil nutrition.

Just don’t flick it into rivers or streams – it can contain bacteria which damages aquatic ecosystems.

Decreasing the amount of chemicals your dog is exposed to isn’t only good for their health but also for the state of the planet.

Pet shampoos, conditioners, sprays and repellents can all contain toxic chemicals which cause damage to the environment and wildlife.

Some dog flea treatments, for example, contain the insecticide permethrin in it which is fatal to cats, bees, aquatic life and other insects that are beneficial to the environment.

Thankfully, being mindful of your dog’s clean living has never been easier.

Brands like Faith In Nature are embracing green grooming for our pooches and have just launched their range of dog shampoos, which are biodegradable, of 99% natural origin and pH-balanced especially for dogs.

With a totally biodegradable formula, it’s available either in liquid form or in a 100% natural origin, plastic-free shampoo bar version, for a more planet-friendly way to keep your dog feeling and looking their best.

Try it for yourself with 20% off your order when you use the code FINSTYLIST*.

It almost goes without saying, but opting for plastic and polyester-free toys and fabrics is better for your dog and the environment.

Choosing bedding made out of natural fibres avoids harsh chemicals or dyes, and by eschewing plastic toys you won’t be adding to landfill when you inevitably need to throw them away.

Like anyone, dogs have preferences of toys and will sometimes shun them altogether. If that’s the case, donate those toys to a dog shelter or arrange a toy swap with friends.

Plus, you can entertain your crafty side by upcycling old clothes into rope toys or making stuffed toys out of old socks.

There are so many DIY toy ideas out there that make use of old household items, so get Googling… 

Shop smart for your dog food by comparing brands’ food sources, keeping in mind those which use local ingredients (which means reduced air miles) and less resource-intensive meats.

Do your research and experiment to see which lower-impact meats (like chicken and insects) suit their stomach and lifestyle best.

You can also explore feeding them by-products of the meat industry such as bone meal and organ meat, while it’s also worth remembering that unlike cats (who are carnivores), dogs are omnivores, so they can have plant-powered food and treats mixed into their diets, lowering their meat consumption without sacrificing their protein intake.

Then when it comes to getting rid of packaging responsibly, make sure to look into recycling schemes like The Mars Petcare programme which allows you to recycle all pet food plastic pouches and flexible plastic bags.

The biggest source of greenhouse gases here in the UK comes from car journeys, so, while it may be tempting to always drive your dog to a big park to let them off-lead, it’s worth checking out nice neighbourhood walks you can do nearby.

Get up maps and enjoy finding small streets and pretty closes you could check out with your pooch – you might just discover a whole scenic residential part of your area you didn’t know existed.

And, for park days and road trips, consider taking public transport or carpooling with friends or family to all go together.