5 Ways to Green Your Pet

We are all trying to green up our lives by recycling, going organic and using sustainable materials. We have become very conscious of our mother earth, global warming and what kind of carbon impact we are making in our daily lives.  But what are we doing to green up our pets?  There are many things you can do to ensure that Fido is part of the solution, as opposed to part of an ever growing global problem.

Think of how many ways you can come up with to go green with your pooch.  Here are my favorite five things that can be easily accomplished with a few simple changes in your pet buying routine.

1. Keep your pet in optimal health by going organic. 

Have you ever given any thought to what kinds of food products go in to the average commercial pet food?  Brace yourself for the horror:  The average commercial pet-food brands contain reconstituted animal by-products, which are cheap waste from the beef and poultry processing plants – byproducts that are deemed inedible for human consumption.  Pet food manufacturers even use meat products that are categorized “4-D,” which means that the animals from which the meat came from are either “Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Down (Disabled)” when they get to the slaughterhouse.

Ready to feed your pet something less scary?  Nutrition is the key to health and longevity for your pet, and the food you feed your pet should be of similar quality to the food that you eat.  Natural and organic pet foods use food products that are raised in sustainable and humane ways. Foods that are labeled organic will be made with out the addition of drugs or hormones, or anything that is genetically modified.  Certified organic pet food has to meet strict USDA guidelines that clearly explain how the ingredients are produced and processed.  These products will not contain artificial preservatives, antibiotics or pesticides.  One of my top picks is Newmans Own Organics.

2.  Buy Eco friendly dog beds.

Conserving our environment has is at the forefront of national news, but where do our pet fit in to the equation?  For the eco conscious owner and the green pooch, a durable and environmentally friendly pet bed is the way to go.  There are many great options available that are made with organic or recycled materials.  Some of these dog beds are made from 100% organic cotton, with organic stuffing, and others have covers that are made from blends of recycled materials and post consumer recycled stuffing. Now our pets can sleep in peace, knowing they are doing their part.  There are a variety of eco friendly dog beds on the market, and PawDigs carry some of the best.   My favorite is the Hemp Oval.  It has a hemp outer cover and is filled with recycled plastic bottles.  This comfy sustainable bed is not only eco friendly and aesthetically pleasing; it is also made in the USA.

3. Natural Pet-Care Products

Our pets are undisputedly part of our families, and we can help protect them by using only natural pet care products that don’t contain harsh chemicals.  Lather up your pet up with detergent, alcohol and pesticide-free grooming products and clean up their mess with products that are as gentle on Earth as they are on pets. Making a choice to use more natural products lessens the impact on the environment, and is gentler for your pet. 

Producers of natural pet care products often work in conjunction with the EPA and FDA to meet strict requirements and standards of using only natural cosmetic grade ingredients that are biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and hypoallergenic.  I like the Mundo line of handcrafted pet care products

4. Recycled Pet Toys

Dogs like to chew on most anything, so why are you buying fancy new squeak toys made in China?  There are great toys made here in the USA from recycled or sustainable materials.  The long haul from overseas also impacts our planet by adding to your pets carbon paw print. 

Eco friendly dog toys can be made of reusable resources such as recycled fabric, and stuffing made from plastic bottles. Some dog bones made of post consumer plastic products are very durable and last a very long time.  One of those chew bones is from Branch Home, found at Great Green Pet and is made of 100% recycled plastic.  Each bone is 6 1/2 inches long, making it a good sized toy for any dog breed.  In an age of disposable everything, this line of sustainable American made chew bones stands the test of time.

You can also get creative at home by making your own pet toys made of old clothes.  For example, you can take an old shirt or sweater, cut in to strips, and tie together making a rope type chew.

5. Take care of that poop

Nothing like stepping in to a big pile of dog do to ruin your day. Responsible pet owners however, vigilantly follow their dogs around the neighborhood scooping up poop in little plastic baggies.  But where do these logs and bags end up? In the bottom of a landfill; to be forever entombed in plastic.  This can become a BIG pile of poop considering that the average dog excretes over 250 pounds of hot steamers every year which approximately equals 10 million tons of waste. 

What can you do to green up the poo? You can help preserve our environment by using biodegradable dog bags when cleaning up after your pet.  Flush Doggy is a biodegradable bag that can be flushed down your toilet.  It is also safe for your plumbing.

There are methods of composting your pets waste, but there is some controversy over whether or not harmful bacteria that may remain in the compost.  When composting pet waste, never use it for your vegetable garden or fruit trees.