7 Ways to Go Green with your Pet

You recycle, buy organic and use eco-friendly products for yourself - shouldn't your pet be green too? Try our 7 tips to help reduce your pet's carbon "paw-print."

1. Try organic pet products

If you groom at home, use earth friendly grooming products that do not contain phosphates, sulfates and other chemicals that are harmful to the planet. Visit groomers that use these products too. Organic products are gentler on the environment, and your pet. You can also find stylish and organic collars and leashes.

2. Clean up after your pet

Leaving pet waste outside is an environmental and health hazard. Pet poo contains harmful bacteria that can enter the water system via storm drains. So be sure to pick up your dog's waste and dispose of it in the trash, or better yet, a compost heap! For litter boxes, consider organic, plant based kitty litter. Clumping clay litter is strip-mined, a process which is horrible for our planet. And don't forget to use biodegradable bags to dispose of waste instead of regular plastic bags!

3. Use chemical-free pest products

You'd be shocked at the ingredients in some tick and flea control products. You won't put toxic chemicals on your body, so leave products with active ingredients like chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos and phosmet off your pet's body too. Look for pest control solutions that use natural ingredients, they can be just as effective without exposing your pet to toxins.

4. Adopt instead of buying

There are tens of thousands of puppies and kittens born in the U.S. every day. Controlling the pet population is always green, so why not adopt instead buying a new best friend?

5. Spay or neuter

Spaying or neutering pets is an important way to keep your pet healthy and avoid more homeless dogs and cats on the street. Sterilization also helps your pet live longer by reducing the risk of several types of cancer and prostate disease.

6. Feed with all natural pet food

There are now many natural pet food options that are better for your pet and the planet. Avoid foods that contain meat raised with hormones and antibiotics and food containing animal by-products. Unless labeled "FDA Certified Food Grade" that chow contains ingredients not fit for human consumption. If you can eat it, do you really want your pet eating it?

7. Play with environmentally friendly pet toys

Whether you make them or buy them, your pet will love the toys you give them, so try recycling! Something as simple as a piece of rope or paper bag can provide hours of fun. Old blankets and pillows can become a new bed for Fido to shed on. If you must buy, purchase items made from natural, recyclable materials, like hemp.