Last updated: 26 May 2026
A lot of what we do as a profession leaves a footprint, from the medicines we prescribe to the wormers that end up in waterways. We are not perfect, but we have made some clear, practical choices to reduce our impact while raising the standard of care. This policy is how we hold ourselves to that.
Where the clinical case allows, we choose lower-impact options. That means titre testing before re-vaccinating, faecal egg counts before prescribing wormers, and natural flea and tick sprays as a first line where the risk profile suits them. We never withhold a medicine that your pet needs, but we will not prescribe one routinely if a more measured approach is just as effective.
We talk about food honestly. Raw, fresh, kibble or cooked, every option has a different environmental footprint, and we will help you find the balance that works for your pet, your household and your values. Home-cooked meal plans, where appropriate, can reduce packaging waste considerably.
We are a local practice and most of our team cycle, walk or take the train. House visits are clustered by area to reduce mileage. When we do need to drive, we prioritise hybrid or electric vehicles.
We do not have all the answers. Areas we are actively looking at include the carbon footprint of inhaled anaesthetics, refillable medicine packaging, and a take-back scheme for unused prescription items. We will report progress on this page each year.
If you have ideas, or you have spotted something we could improve, please tell us. Email reception@thenaturalvet.co.uk with the subject line "sustainability" and the right person will get back to you.