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The negative ecological balance of air and car travel as well as meat consumption is well known. But dogs and cats also have a significant impact on the carbon footprint of their owners.

What does carbon footprint mean?

Global warming should be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius
Binding target values ​​for the emission of greenhouse gases, which are primarily responsible for global warming, were laid down for the first time in the Kyoto Protocol on December 11, 1997. In addition to CO2, other greenhouse gases are listed here, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). Since the Kyoto Protocol expired in 2020, a new climate protection agreement was introduced in order to be able to continue pursuing the international climate protection process after 2020. In 2015, at the 21st UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, 196 countries agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius — if possible below 1.5 degrees Celsius. In November 2002 the Glasgow Climate Conference (COP 26) took place and ended with the Glasgow Climate Pact. Here the 1.5 °C target was again emphasized and for the first time reference was made to phasing out unrestricted coal-fired power generation and to the abolition of inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels.

What is the carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint indicates the amount of greenhouse gases released by a specific activity, process or action. This means that every product also has a CO2 footprint, which is made up of the sum of emissions that come together through manufacture, use, recycling and disposal. But the CO2 emissions can also be determined for activities such as air travel, car trips, hotel accommodation or events. The carbon footprint accounts for about 60% of the ecological footprint. This indicates how sustainably a person, a company or a country deals with global resources. According to Welthungerhilfe, the world’s population would need 1.7 earths to cover the need for resources. Earth Overshoot Day, the annual deadline when all ecological resources of a year are used up, was already reached on July 27th in 2021.

Calculate your own carbon footprint
The World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) provides a carbon footprint calculator on its website that you can use to calculate your personal carbon footprint. The Federal Environment Agency also offers a CO2 quick check, which also takes pet ownership into account, among other things. Questions about the following areas of life are asked here:
Your shopping behavior for fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, meat and fish
The proportion of organic or fair trade products you consume
How often you throw away food
How many car trips, plane trips and cruises you take and how often you use public transport.
What type of heating and water heating you use in your house or apartment
The standard and size of your house or apartment
How many people live in the household
Which energy efficiency class your household appliances have and how many small appliances you own
The type and frequency of laundry washing and drying
The money spent on clothes and shoes, leisure, consumer electronics, furniture, restaurant visits, overnight stays away from home, consumer goods and pets.

Why do pets also have a carbon footprint?

So far, there are only a few studies that look at the environmental impact of a dog or cat’s life. In 2020, the Technical University (TU) Berlin examined the entire life cycle of a dog in this regard and identified food, urine and faeces in particular as the main influencing factors. The environmental impact increases with the size, weight and lifespan of the dog. Animal and plant life are negatively affected by urine and the feces of the fur friends can make the trees more susceptible to diseases. For a dog weighing 15 kilograms that lives for 13 years, an average of 1000 kg of faeces and almost 200 liters of urine could be determined. With regard to dog food, the greatest burden was caused by the high proportion of beef and poultry and the packaging materials.

Are there too many dogs and cats?

Many pet owners may wonder why their beloved four-legged friend causes so much CO2. It is not only the CO2 emissions of a single animal that is decisive, but the large number of pets. According to the Federal Environment Agency, the number of dogs in Germany has more than doubled within 20 years. In addition, the Industry Association for Pet Supplies (IVH e.V.) states that 15.7 million cats and 10.7 million dogs lived in Germany in 2020, the number of which has most likely increased further in the course of the pandemic. 47% of all households had at least one pet. Justifications that dogs ensure more exercise for their owners and can encourage children to take more responsibility should not be included in the considerations.

The feed has the most harmful effect on the climate

Dog and cat food is largely based on meat and meat by-products. According to a report by Galileo TV, which documents a long-term experiment with vegan dog food in cooperation with the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, meat-based dog food accounts for 90% of a dog’s carbon footprint. Around 1 million tons of meat are consumed annually for the 26 million dogs and cats in Germany. It would theoretically be possible to feed dogs on a purely plant-based basis, as Volker Wilke from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover explains in the article. This would reduce CO2 emissions for wet food by 35% and for dry food by as much as 70%. So far, no adverse effects have been observed with feed made from peas, lentils, sweet potatoes or soya supplemented with vitamins and amino acids. However, the changeover should be carried out under expert supervision so that the dogs do not suffer any organ damage or muscle atrophy. However, the origin of the vegan feed is also important. Because if the feed is made with soy from Brazil or other countries of origin, it can be much more harmful to the climate than dry feed made in this country.

What is the life cycle assessment of dogs, cats and horses?

With the provocative book title “Time to eat the dog?” (Is It Time to Eat the Dog?), two New Zealand authors caught the attention of many pet owners in 2009. Is the ecological paw print really that bad?

No more than 2 tons of CO2 per year

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), every inhabitant of the earth should not cause more than two tons of CO2 per year, so that the climate would not be further burdened. The amount of two tons of CO2 corresponds to the capacity that the earth could absorb naturally. The actual values ​​significantly exceed these two tons, depending on the country. According to Statista, in 2019 an average of around 30.68 tons of CO2 was produced per capita in Qatar, around 14 tons in the USA and around 7.8 tons in Germany.

What is the carbon footprint of dogs and cats?

Researchers at the Technical University (TU) Berlin have examined the life cycle assessment of dogs. Among other things, the production of feed and the consequential damage to the environment caused by urine and faeces were included. The result shows that the popular pet causes significant amounts of CO2. For example, a dog weighing 30 kilograms produces around 1,050 kilograms of CO2 a year, as reported by the Tagesspiegel. Thus, with just over a tonne of CO2, this dog causes about the same amount as a one-way flight from Berlin to Washington. With an estimated lifespan of 18 years, the dog’s CO2 emissions would increase to 19 tons.

The life cycle assessment for cats was determined in 2019 by the Swiss eco-balance institute ESU-Services. In addition to feed and environmental pollution, domestic conditions such as heat loss when installing a heat flap were also taken into account. According to this, a cat weighing 4.2 kilograms produces about the same amount of CO2 per year as a 1,165-kilometer car journey, which roughly corresponds to the distance from Berlin to Venice.

Horses are climate sinners too

A study examined all important effects on the life cycle assessment of pets. This included, for example, feeding, housing, faeces, trips by car to the veterinarian or even going for a walk, as well as all necessary purchases for the pets. The authors compared the results with the environmental impact of a car trip. The results showed that horses had the worst environmental record. According to the calculations, the annual cost of keeping a horse corresponded to an annual car mileage of 3700 km. Overall, the scientists came to the conclusion that the larger the pet, the greater the environmental impact.

This is how you can optimize your pet’s carbon footprint

Remove legacies left by four-legged friends

Dogs defecate and urinate when they go for a walk. A researcher determined in 2017 that the dogs and cats kept in the USA alone produce a good five million feces a year. It is not possible to get rid of the urine, but you should collect the dog poop in a waste bag and dispose of it. Thus, the environment is less polluted, because the amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen and heavy metals contained in the feces contribute to freshwater eutrophication and freshwater poisoning. In addition, disposal companies have to collect less manure, which also saves CO2. Also against the background that the production of the manure collection bags is less harmful to the environment than the entry of manure into nature. At the same time, walkers are happy when they are spared stepping into a dog pile.

Adjust the amount of feed as needed

Since many pets are overweight, CO2 can certainly also be saved with regard to the amount of feed. Keep your pet at a healthy weight and avoid overfeeding. As a dog owner, you should also consider that the production of dog food also requires factory farming, because dog food rarely comes from organic farms.

Reconsider BARF feeding

Biologically appropriate raw feeding, or BARF for short, contains 75% high-quality raw meat and is therefore a much more climate-damaging form of feeding than ordinary wet food. This doubles the CO2 footprint. The BARF feeding is considered to be particularly adapted to the needs of the dog as a descendant of the wolf. In the meantime, however, the opinion is becoming more and more widespread that dogs have adapted their digestive system to carbohydrate-rich food in the course of their development and that such a high protein intake is therefore no longer absolutely necessary.

A simple calculation illustrates the dimensions: A meat ration of around 300 – 500 grams per day is recommended for a medium-sized dog weighing 30 kg. This adds up to 150 – 185 kilograms per year over the year – per dog. And this does not include meat consumption for cats.

Insect-based dog food as an alternative

The latest trends include food cans that contain insects as a protein source. Insect food producer Tenetrio reports that insect protein-based dog food contains all the amino acids that dogs need. In addition, dogs are very good at splitting and utilizing the insect protein. A study that examined compound feed containing larvae of the black soldier fly came to the conclusion that the feed was very well tolerated by the dogs even if they suddenly switched. However, the price here is still far higher than for dog food containing meat, which is due to the high production costs.

Vegan dog food possible, but expensive

Feeding a dog meat-free sounds strange at first. It is also not in line with a dog’s natural diet and requires some additives to keep the dog from becoming ill. In fact, it is possible to provide the dog with all the nutrients, even if no animal protein is included. Vegan dog food consists of vegetable protein in the form of legumes such as lentils or lupins, supplemented with vegetables, millet, taurine, L-carnitine, iron, minerals, vitamins or algae. The disadvantage, however, is that the price is currently three times higher than that of conventional dog food. In addition, the current study situation does not yet allow an unrestricted recommendation for special phases of the dog’s life, such as growth or age.

Cats are more difficult to change their food

So far, there are hardly any studies that have examined the effects of vegan diets in cats. The option remains to choose a feed that contains more animal by-products or to offer more dry feed.

Conclusion: Every hobby entails a certain amount of CO2 emissions. Whether it’s a pet or the sports car in front of the front door. Here you have to decide for yourself where you see savings potential. Several pets, a lot of air travel, high meat consumption and cars with high fuel consumption are perhaps too much of a good thing. If you keep a dog as a pet, you can reduce your dog’s CO2 footprint by consistently collecting the droppings in poop bags and by changing the diet.

Cleaning windows with window cleaning agent – anyone can do that. We reveal the trick how detergent ensures streak-free windows and white window frames.

Clean with detergent – this is how it works

Yes, you heard me right. Detergent not only makes the laundry shine clean again. Fabric softener is a real miracle cure for streak-free windows. To do this, simply fill the cap of the packaging with fabric softener and mix the amount with three liters of water. The windows are then cleaned with this liquid in the usual routine. This not only makes the windows shine. The ingredients in the fabric softener also ensure that rainwater rolls off the window glass. Who knows, maybe you won’t have to clean as often afterwards.

Fabric softener for streak-free windows – that’s not all. Because with detergent you can also get the window frames clean. This time we’ll use the washing powder that everyone probably has at home. This also saves you the trip to the shop if the actual window cleaning agent is empty. Detergent powder is particularly suitable for white window frames that can no longer be cleaned properly with normal cleaning.

The procedure is simple: moisten a cloth slightly and put a small amount of the white washing powder on it. The window frame can then be cleaned with it. Isn’t that enough? Then simply repeat the process again. The bleaching content of the powder not only ensures white laundry: after use, the frame will shine in wonderful white again, which makes you want spring.

Animal rennet is found in many foods where you wouldn’t expect it – always a challenge for vegetarians. We tell you what rennet has to do with cheese and what alternatives there are.

If you eat vegetarian or vegan, it is particularly interesting for you to know which foods contain animal products – and whether they come from dead or living animals.

What is animal rennet?

Animal rennet is a mixture of different enzymes that occurs naturally in the gastric mucosa of young calves and other ruminants. The special enzymes break down the milk protein so that the milk thickens. This is the only way the calves can digest their mother’s milk. Since this is also true for humans, animal rennet is often added to dairy products to make them easier for us to digest.

If you eat vegan and completely avoid dairy products, animal rennet is not a problem for you, as it is only used in dairy products. If you follow a vegetarian diet, you must decide for yourself whether obtaining animal rennet is compatible with your lifestyle.

How is animal rennet obtained?

In order for animal rennet to be processed into food, it must be extracted from the stomachs of ruminants.

Since rennet is naturally there to make breast milk digestible, each mammal has a special rennet enzyme that is tailored to its own breast milk. In Europe, most dairy products come from cows, which is why rennet from young calves is often used in our food, but also from sheep or goats. The rennet quality is better the younger the animal was. This is because young animals drink a lot of breast milk and produce more rennet.

In order to use animal rennet for food, the animal stomachs are placed in a special solution – this is how the enzyme is released from the mucous membrane. It is then cleaned and preserved in several steps. All that remains is the enzyme and no stomach or other meat parts – the stomachs themselves, however, can only be taken from dead animals. The calves are not killed specifically for rennet – instead, the stomachs of animals slaughtered for meat production are used.

Animal rennet in cheese

Animal rennet breaks down milk proteins and allows milk to thicken without turning sour. It is precisely this property that is needed to produce sweet milk cheese – this includes most types of hard and semi-hard cheese. Many types of cheese only get their typical consistency with the help of rennet – without rennet they probably would not exist.

Are there alternatives to animal rennet?

There are some plant enzymes that work in a similar way to animal rennet. They are found in so-called rennet herbs, but also in the juice of papaya, pineapple or fig trees. However, they are only used for a few types of cheese because they affect the taste too much.
Rennet substitutes are often used in cheese production. These substances are often obtained by fermenting certain molds with microorganisms. In addition to moulds, however, these microorganisms also feed on other nutrient media that are not always vegetable.
Another alternative to animal rennet is an enzyme produced by genetically modified microorganisms. The genetic information from the mammalian stomach is implanted in the microorganisms so that they produce enzymes that are as similar as possible to animal rennet. However, there are currently no long-term studies on how GM foods affect our bodies – so GM foods should be treated with caution. This rennet alternative is not approved for organic food.

Treat bee stings with tips and natural home remedies. As first aid for bee and wasp stings. The danger of being stung by a bee or wasp is relatively high, especially in summer. Have you been stung by a bee? Then you should act quickly.

A bee or wasp sting can be very painful and usually swells a lot. In such a case, fast and effective help is required. The first thing you should do is try to suck the venom out of the sting with your mouth and then just spit it out.

Attention bee sting what to do?

If it is a string, be sure to remove the sting before treating the swollen skin, otherwise, it will release more venom. The sooner the sting is removed, the less pain you will have to endure.

Home remedies for bee and wasp stings

The best home remedy for wasp stings is a fresh half of an onion. Take a standard onion, cut it in half and rub the fresh wasp or bee sting with it for at least 10 minutes. The onion has a disinfecting effect and cools the sting. This effect causes the blood vessels to constrict and the poison is not spread as far in the body, so that swelling is avoided or reduced.

Electronic Sting Healer

An electronic sting healer burns the insecticide’s enzymes. As a result, the bite can still be seen, but it no longer itches. Ideal against insect bites with itching, burning, pain, and swelling. Works wonder against mosquito bites, wasp bites, horseflies, and bees and without any chemicals.

Allergic reactions to bee stings

Beware of allergic reactions! If allergic reactions such as rapid reddening, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cold sweat, tachycardia, circulatory problems, or loss of consciousness occur after a bee or wasp sting, you should contact a doctor immediately. Stings in the mouth and throat should also be treated immediately by a doctor. Until then, suck ice cubes for cooling.

Whole egg is ready-mixed egg white with egg yolk, which is used in the food industry and gastronomy. While there are good reasons for using whole egg, there is one important criticism of it.

Whole egg – what is that?

You will find the term whole egg in the list of ingredients of some industrially processed products, especially in baked goods. In gastronomy, too, whole eggs are often used instead of fresh eggs. The name hides egg yolk and egg white, which are whisked together and pasteurized. In contrast to pure egg white or egg yolk, the whole egg consists of both parts of the whole egg.

The (wholesale) trade offers these Voolei products frozen, liquid and as a powder. An important advantage for processors compared to fresh eggs is the shelf life. Furthermore, the products are less fragile during transport than fresh eggs and large quantities can be processed more quickly than if each egg is freshly cracked. Nevertheless, there is also criticism of Vollei.

criticism of the whole egg

While fresh eggs have a stamped code identifying the origin of the eggs, eggs in processed products do not need to be labeled accordingly. There is therefore no transparency for the consumer with these products. The portal Lebensmittelklarheit.de explains that the industry processes eggs from cage farming in most cases. Many consumers do not want to support this cruelty to animals.

Tips for sustainable egg consumption

Look out for organic seals: Organic-certified products do not contain caged eggs.
Do it yourself: When you cook and bake fresh, you decide which ingredients end up on the table. Vegan or with eggs from organic farming you are taking a step in the right direction. Own chickens can also be an option. However, you should think carefully beforehand whether you have enough time and space for the animals.
Eat egg-free: Vegan products contain no animal components, so no eggs either. Noodles, various types of pastry and many other products are available in health food stores and supermarkets with and without eggs. With the egg-free variant you are on the safe side.

Tips and means for removing chewing gum residue and chewing gum at a glance. We’ve collected all the useful household tips and grandma’s natural home remedies for chewing gum removal and help you finally get rid of the disgusting things from your clothes, hair, or stepping stone.

Miracle cure cold and heat

Anyone who has a freezer or at least a freezer compartment can remove the chewing gum relatively easily. Simply place the garment or shoe in the freezer until the rubber is frozen. It can then be easily removed from the fabric or shoe without leaving stains.

In principle, any stain can be removed even with the heat. You can cover the affected area with a sheet of paper and place the hot iron on it. The gum then magically sticks to the paper.

Remove gum from the carpet

Chewing gum stains on carpets or rugs is not a catastrophe but can be removed with cold without any problems. We recommend the following procedure: place ice cubes on the stain and wait for the rubber to harden. Then you can carefully remove the rubber from the carpet, e.g. with a knife. Alternatively, you can freeze the gum with ice spray and then remove it. Chewing gum residue can be removed with spirit or white spirit.

Clothing and fabrics

Chewing gum sticks particularly badly in wool, fabrics, and clothes. Removing all residues from clothes made easy with housewife tips. It sticks particularly stubbornly to almost any fabric, clothing, and shoes.

Tips on how to remove and avoid cobwebs. Dust and dead insects collect in the unsightly cobwebs. These are particularly evident in the corners of the apartment and behind cupboards. We’ll show you the best way to remove them.

Everyone knows cobwebs and has them in their home from time to time. Cobwebs are hard to avoid, but you can easily remove them using a variety of devices and methods. Cobwebs can be removed with a broom, vacuum cleaner, or damp cloth without leaving stains on the wall.

How are cobwebs formed?

Spiders produce the cobwebs in their abdomens and use them to build their webs. They can produce one meter of threads per second. Since everyone has beneficial spiders in the house, cobwebs also happen. These are mostly ugly to look at. This is where dead insects and dust collect. Often the spiders can no longer be found. Therefore, you can calmly remove the dusty residue.

Removing cobwebs made easy

The remaining spider webs in the corners of the apartment or behind the closet quickly make the apartment appear dirty. If you want to remove the spider webs, they often leave dark stains on the wall. Therefore, you should only remove them carefully. We will show you which means will help you and how to avoid cobwebs. For a clean apartment.

1) Remove spider webs with the broom

The easiest method is to remove the spider’s webs with a broom. A hand brush is enough to free the corners of the floor from the weaves. For corners on the ceiling that are difficult to reach, you can use a long broom to help. It is best to sweep from top to bottom to avoid stains. If it does, read our tips on removing dust stains from walls.

2) Vacuum to remove

If spiders are still sitting near the cobwebs, then many use the vacuum cleaner. To do this, you can remove the floor nozzle and vacuum everything on the wall without leaving any stains. But that means an agonizing death for the dear little animals. Therefore, it is better to catch them beforehand and set them free. On the topic of vacuum cleaners, also read our other articles: Preventing a smelly odor from the vacuum cleaner and the best vacuum cleaners in comparison.

3) Duster against cobwebs

The feather duster is also a tried and tested remedy for dust and old cobwebs. Therefore, you should definitely have one in the household. Many feather dusters have a telescopic rod. So you can also remove spider webs that are difficult to reach. If you don’t already own a feather duster, you can find some inexpensive models online. Also, read our tips for dusting electronic devices.

4) Get rid of cobwebs with sticky cardboard

Getting rid of cobwebs can be particularly difficult behind radiators or heavy cupboards. But there is a solution. To do this, you have to stick double-sided adhesive tape on a piece of cardboard or cardboard. You can then use it to remove the weaves behind the heater. Because they stick to the tape. Also, note our tips for driving away flies.

5) Avoid cobwebs

Of course, it would be best if the cobwebs could be avoided. Since there are spiders in every apartment, there are also cobwebs. Accordingly, you would have to drive away from the spiders permanently. That’s very difficult. There are some tips circulating on the Internet that the little animals can be driven away with ultrasonic devices. It would be worth at least trying.

Tips on cleaning glasses properly. Because they are our constant companions. Therefore, they can quickly become dirty or smudged. And for a clear view, you need to clean your glasses more often. You should avoid common mistakes so that your lenses are not damaged. We have summarized the most important things about cleaning glasses for you.

Proper cleaning of the glasses is important

A good and correct cleaning of the glasses is very important. Dirty glasses can be very annoying and distracting. And the glasses wearers among us know the good feeling after cleaning: finally a clear view again! In addition, limited vision can damage your eyes. Or they tire over time. You can also get headaches if you don’t see clearly. Therefore, you should make sure to clean your glasses every day. It makes sense to get used to it at a certain time. In addition, also note our article on the question of contact lenses or glasses, as well as for instructions on cleaning contact lenses conscientiously if you wear contact lenses from time to time.

Causes of dirty glasses

Glasses are already smeared when your eyes are itchy. But splashes of fat when eating can also impair the view. Even the weather can damage your glasses, which can fog up or become stained by raindrops. Then most people just use a handkerchief to clean the glasses. Often the shirt or sweater is simply used to quickly clean the glasses. But this is not beneficial for the glass and is a common mistake when cleaning glasses. Because the glass can get fine scratches, which of course are very unpleasant for the clear view.

Clean glasses properly with home remedies and Co.

It is our faithful companion and should therefore always be cared for. But the lenses of your glasses are very sensitive, so you should be careful not to treat them too roughly. Therefore, only certain home remedies are well suited for regular cleaning of glasses. So we have an overview:

1) Clean lenses with water and washing-up liquid

It is best to clean your glasses at home with lukewarm water and non-greasy detergent (pH value-neutral). And do without skin-friendly and moisturizing detergents, because these can damage the glasses and leave a greasy film. Accordingly, hold your glasses under the running water. This removes large dirt particles. Then put a little non-greasy washing-up liquid on each of the glasses and rub it in with clean fingers. Then rinse it off with water. Then dry it with a microfiber cloth. Also, read our article on monitor and screen care.

2) Use of microfiber cloths to clean glasses

You can also clean your glasses with the help of microfiber cloths. These are great for in-between and on the go. Because you can use them dry. Of course, you can also use a glasses cleaning cloth for cleaning. It is important that you wash the microfiber cloths regularly. You should wash them at least 40 degrees and without fabric softener. Also, note our tips for sunglasses.

3) Goggle sprays and cleaning wipes

Especially when you’re out and about, you don’t have water or the right washing-up liquid. Therefore, some people use special glasses sprays or damp cleaning wipes (without alcohol). These are good for cleaning glasses. However, you should pay attention to good quality here. As some of these items are said to be capable of damaging the lenses. Also, note our home remedies for tired and stressed eyes.

4) Clean glasses with ultrasound

Professional ultrasonic cleaning is best. This will clean your glasses gently and effectively. Your glasses are placed in a water bath, which is then subjected to ultrasonic vibrations. As a result, bubbles form and gradually burst. This removes dirt particles. Most opticians offer a free service. Such a cleaning makes sense every 3 – 6 months. You can also buy these ultrasonic devices on the Internet. Also, note our effective home remedies for burning eyes.

5) Protect your glasses with a glasses case

Good care is therefore essential if you want to preserve the longevity of your glasses. You should also protect your glasses by putting them in a glasses case when you are not using them. This prevents you from accidentally sitting on it. In addition, see our article Identifying and avoiding poor eyesight in children.