by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Go Green with your pet!
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22, and going green is something you can make a choice to do all year long with your pets. The natural pet product category in the pet industry has grown tremendously in the last decade and now many pet product manufacturers are offering: earth friendly; sustainable; biodegradeable; products that are locally sourced; and some are even using packaging that breakdowns naturally or are made from recycleable materials. So there is really no reason you can make your pet a planet embassordor too. These days pet parents can make the choice to go green with their pets simply by choosing products that are often healthier for their pets and better for the environment.
Pet Food:
- Look for pet foods and treats with the official organic seal that are made in the USA, with locally sourced ingredients. If it says, manufactured in the USA – some of the ingredients may not be from the USA. Not sure? Contact the company and ask them. Using locally sourced, organic and high quality ingredients help keep our farms sustainable!
- Recycle any of your pet food packaging properly. Dog and cat food cans and tins, plastic, and food bags can all be put in your proper recycling bins.
Walking:
- Many people don’t often think to take their dog for a walk to do their errands. Now, not everyone can do this – depending where you live, but if you live in a walkable distance, (a mile or 2) from your local down town, take your dog with you for a walk. Have to go to the bank? Oddly enough most banks are pet friendly and more than likely will welcome your four legged, well behaved and leashed friend with you inside! (Your pup may even get a treat while there. My Max was known around town at all our local errand stops – he got a lot of treats at the bank!) This is going to help you and your dog get exercise, cut down on your car emissions and spending on gas.
- While on that walk, be sure to have poop bags with you. There are many poop bag companies out there but you want to be sure to bring bags with you that are biodegradeable. Personally I like EarthRated’s poop bags – the dispenser has a easy clip to attached to your dogs leash handle.
- Walking your dog in the park? For a hike? Seek out plant based flea and tick spray or preventatives specifically for dogs and cats. There are many great green, all natural products that help deter mosquitos, ticks and fleas. They don’t harm the enviornment and they work – I have tried a few different brands over the years and they all worked great.
Bath time!
- Use pet shampoo and conditioners that use all natural ingredients and essential oils. A great product that has the Green America Seal is Jorge Bendersky’s new line at M. Boutique. http://www.mboutiqueintl.com/31-pets-by-jorge
- If your bring your dog or cat to get professionally groomed ask them about what products that they use: are they earth friendly, natural and safe for your pet’s coat.
Don’t forget your cats!
Kitty litter is a needed product if you own a cat. But have you ever thought about if your clumping clay cat litter breaksdown while in the landfill? A lot of clumpling clays litters do not breakdown. There are a lot of earth friendly kitty litters these days to choose from so take your time and do your research! A great all natural product that uses wood and papers is Okocat by Healthy Pets.
Okocat is 100% natural – made completely from wood or paper, it is completely biodegradable and it is free of clay or silica and free of any smell-masking chemicals that your kitty tracks all over your home. It is also 99% dust-free so great for any allergy sufferer (human or pet!). The natural antimicrobial effect of coniferous wood kills 99.9% of bacteria and fights bacterial growth for weeks, keeping your home cleaner and healthier. You don’t really ever have to “empty” the litter box, because due to okocat’s amazing absorption, this litter lasts for weeks…just scoop out clumped waste daily. The litter the remains stays clean, dry and odor free.
Toys:
- Many companies are now starting to make pet toys from organic materials that are free from harsh dyes and chemicals (that they could ingest while chewing or playing with toys).
- Organic catnip. That’s right, while your cat is bouncing off the walls enjoying their catnip – you can feel even better about it knowing it’s organic. 😉
Easy Green Pet Tips for everyday:
- Carpool with your dogs to the park – given the dogs get along (save on gas, emissions).
- Wash old blankets, towels, comforters and donate to your local animal shelter. In Home Pet Services, Inc., has a special month long MayDay for Mutts campaign where they collect gently used pet products and donate them to a local animal rescue group. They collect upwards of $3,000 worth of products every May that donated! This is something you could do within your own home or business.
- Adopt a pet from your local animal shelter – a way to help a pet who has been recycled.
- Seek out holistic veterinary care for your pet.
Check out our segment recently on News 12 talking about this very topic, click to watch:
It’s easy being green with your pets!
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