Recent estimates from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and the European Commission show a striking rise in Europe’s dog population over eight years, nearly doubling to a total of 73 million dogs. In Spain alone, the count reaches 9.3 million dogs, a figure that in some regions even surpasses the number of children under the age of fourteen.
Pets offer companionship and emotional support to many people, yet they also influence climate dynamics. Researchers warn that a substantial portion of an individual’s carbon footprint comes from pet ownership, a finding highlighted by Matthias Finkbeiner from the Technical University of Berlin in a 2020 environmental study on pets. The impact varies with the size of the animal; larger dogs tend to account for more emissions, with annual footprints that can be significant relative to a single person’s emissions profile.
CO2 emissions comparable to 2,830 kilometers driven by car
Pet emissions can be substantial. A dog’s annual carbon output is often likened to the emissions from driving roughly 2,830 kilometers, according to ESU services, a Swiss environmental consultancy that examined pet-related travel, feeding, and care factors.
The larger the dog, the greater the environmental impact. Observers note that heavier animals generally require more food, longer travel for outdoor activities, and expanded bedding and equipment, all contributing to higher carbon emissions.
The advisory suggests a dog may emit around 1,020 kilograms of CO2 each year due to food, transport to hiking areas, lodging, gear, veterinary care, and related needs. When life cycles like food origin, packaging, and transport, as well as waste management of urine and feces, are considered, the overall footprint may be even larger. Water use is also substantial, both for the animal’s needs and for cleaning, with pet waste management introducing additional plastic waste if bags are not recycled properly.
Across a dog’s lifetime, about 2,000 liters of urine and roughly one ton of feces are produced, contributing to urban nutrient loading. Feeding practices play a crucial role, and there is evidence suggesting some pets are overfed; experts estimate a noticeable share of dogs receive more food than needed.
Beyond feeding, the production and supply chains for pet foods have environmental consequences. The need to source ingredients, process them, and transport finished products all add to the overall climate footprint associated with keeping a dog as a companion animal.
Dogs and forests
There is a broader ecological angle to consider. The production of pet foods requires large land areas, and estimates from academic researchers indicate that tens of millions of hectares are tied to meat- and plant-based feed for animals. The emissions tied to producing animal-protein feeds are substantial, contributing to greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. As pet ownership rises, this impact grows in tandem. In Europe, where more than 70 million dogs are registered, estimates place the sector’s share of national emissions in the low percent range, underscoring the need to balance pet care with sustainable farming and food systems. A study from the University of Alcalá de Henares supports the idea that pets contribute a measurable portion of a country’s emissions, highlighting the link between consumer choices and environmental outcomes. These findings echo the broader imperative to address sustainability through smarter feeding, waste management, and energy use in homes affected by pet care. Attribution: University of Alcalá de Henares environmental study.
Note: The ecological calculations reflect ongoing research and vary by methodology and regional dietary patterns. The trend, however, points to a steadily growing influence of household pets on climate metrics, reinforcing the call for more responsible pet ownership and transparent reporting of environmental costs across the supply chain.