© 2026 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stay informed when wildfire smoke impacts Idaho. Find air quality resources, smoke safety tips and more in our wildfire guide.

Unpacking the carbon pawprint of America’s pets

Puppies play in a cage at a pet store. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Puppies play in a cage at a pet store. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Many people consider their pets to be a part of their family. Yet dogs and cats have a massive and underdiscussed climate pawprint.

Is there a way to reduce your furry friend’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is there a way to discuss this topic without alienating pet owners?

Grist associate editor Claire Thompson joins Here & Now‘s Elissa Nadworny to explain.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2025 WBUR

Here & Now Newsroom

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.