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? Petside has found 7 tips to help reduce your pet's carbon "paw-print."
1. Buy 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. 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 them 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. 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.
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Comments (4)
Patricia A. Gabel April 20, 2009 1:23 PM
Umm, There are totals add 18 spray cats that recently born 4 kittens in suite of 5 and five kittens in suite of 3, also there has 8 cats plus two mother cats in small apartment, as I wish to report to City Hall that too many cats lives same place of apartment as I worry to be causing disease spread to other cats.. How do I can tell them to stop more born kittens, huh? I need your advice about this.
Anonymous April 20, 2009 2:37 PM
Call aspca, they will fix cats for free
THERESA PRENDERGAST April 20, 2009 6:40 PM
THANKS TO ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS AND TIPS
Anonymous April 21, 2009 9:53 AM
ohh yeah
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