Green Pet Fact Quiz

Going "green" is a hot topic, and one that's moved far beyond basic recycling to touch everything from the food we eat to the cars we drive. Most of the chatter revolves around how people can reduce their carbon footprints, but what about pets and their ecological paw prints? Take this quiz to see if you know just how much dogs, cats and other domestic animals impact the environment -- and how eco-conscious pet parents can help their furry friends join the cause.

TRUE OR FALSE: Dogs wreak significantly more havoc on the environment than cats.

True

False

You chose: You chose:

Whether you're on Team Fido or Team Kitty, both sides can present a number of challenges in the staying green department, from the food they eat to the waste they produce. For example, according to a Mother Jones report on 2006 National Academies research, a large dog like a St. Bernard consumes about 12 times as much food as a cat, but on the flip side, at least 2 million tons of kitty litter ends up in U.S. landfills annually.

How much farmland (in square feet) is required to produce enough food for a large dog annually?

1, 500

16,100

81,890

118,500

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According to a 2009 report in the New Scientist, it takes 1,500 square feet of farmland to feed a hamster yearly, and 16,100 to feed a cat The 81,890 figure reflects the amount of land required to feed the average Vietnamese citizen, while large dogs require nearly 40,000 additional square feet of farming space. Even medium dogs outrank the others on this list -- it takes 90,600 square feet of land to produce enough food for them.

According to a husband and wife research team in Australia, owning a medium or large dog has more of a negative impact on the environment than which of the following?

A human being

A Boeing-747

An SUV

All of the above

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In their 2009 book "Time to Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living," Dr. Robert and Professor Brenda Vale made the claim that the carbon footprint of an SUV driven 10,000 miles per year is about half that of maintaining a medium-sized dog for the same amount of time. Some pet advocates have argued the study unfairly puts the spotlight on dogs, when people have a far greater impact on the environment.

How much money do Americans spend annually on toys for dogs and cats, many of which are made of plastic?

Nearly $1 million

Nearly $3 million

Nearly $7 million

Nearly $10 million

You chose: You chose:

According to a report in Mother Jones magazine, dog toys account for about two-thirds of that U.S. total, while the rest can be attributed to cat items such as rubber mice and catnip. So what's an eco-friendly pet owner to do? Look for toys made with recycled materials that use minimal packaging and are produced stateside.

Which type of cat litter is eco-friendly?

Clay-based

Silica Gel-based

Plant-based

None of the above

You chose: You chose:

Unfortunately, all three types come with their own set of issues that can negatively impact the planet. Clay-based litter must be mined and is also a big contributor to landfills. Silica litter requires less frequent changing, so the landfill impact is not as high. However, you still have to remove feces from silica litter and dispose of it regularly, and doing so in a toilet can lead to multiple problems thanks to toxoplasma gondii, a parasite within the waste. Plant-based litter is the least offensive of the three in terms of its contents, but still carries the same disposal issues, despite claims that this type is biodegradable.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average dog is responsible for how producing how many pounds of solid waste annually?

133

274

You chose: You chose:

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there are approximately 77.5 million dogs owned as pets in the United States alone. Multiply all those dogs time 274 pounds of waste, and that makes for an enormous amount of dog-doo to do away with. Not doing so properly -- by using biodegradable baggies, for example -- can take its toll on the environment.

Curbing pet overpopulation is one way to help sustain the environment: Which celebrity is well-known for his efforts to spread the message about this topic?

Bob Hope

Johnny Carson

Bob Barker

Merv Griffin

You chose: You chose:

The American Humane Society estimates that 10 million animals are euthanized annually in the United States alone, simply because they can't find suitable homes. Barker, the former host of "The Price is Right," closed out nearly every episode with a reminder to viewers to help control the pet population by having cats and dogs spayed or neutered. His successor, Drew Carey, now does the same.

According to Mother Jones magazine, a weekly 10-mile ride in the car to an off-leash dog park produces how many pounds of carbon annually?

400

1,400

2,400

You chose: You chose:

A 2008 Mother Jones article asserts that driving this distance to a dog park has an environmental impact similar to feeding a cat for an entire year. If possible, give the Earth -- and your wallet -- a break by finding a park you can walk to.

TRUE OR FALSE: Dog waste and cat waste are equally safe to flush down the toilet.

True

False

You chose: You chose:

While it's safe to give dog feces a good flush, avoid doing the same with cat waste, as any litter stuck to it can wreak havoc on plumbing systems and also cause water pollution. Cat feces also carry a parasite that most waste treatment facilities are not equipped to catch or address before it enters local waterways.

Cat owners in particular can live in a more eco-friendly way by doing which of the following:

Brushing the cat daily

Keeping the cat indoors

Feeding the cat dry food only

Feeding the cat wet food only

You chose: You chose:

Studies such as one conducted by the University of Michigan in 2003 estimate that an outdoor cat kills an average of about a bird a week. Multiply that by the HSUS's estimate that there are 93.6 million cats owned as pets in the U.S., and you've got a dangerous equation. A decrease in the bird population can have a domino effect on other living creatures as well, so it's best to keep cats inside where you can put the kibosh on killing.

Correct

It's Not Easy Being Green (1-3 correct): Time to get down to earth and brush up on your pet-related eco-facts.

Correct

Earth Friendly (4-7 correct): You're on the right track to becoming an eco-aware pet owner.

Correct

Green Machine (8-10 correct): You know the ins and outs of carbon footprints and paw prints!

Green Pets

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