Green Pets: Pampering Your Pet and Protecting the Planet
Call 24/7: (540) 448-6788 OR Request a FREE PHONE CONSULTATION
We want the best for our pets:
2015, including leashes, collars, kibble, and leashes, as well as pet beds, poop bags, and squeaking squirrels.
However, spoiling our four-legged friends can be a drain on the environment. Some pet foods, flea and tick medicines, and shampoos for dogs look like chemical soup. Not to mention the carbon dioxide emissions from imported Frisbees and the addition to the landfill of pet waste. There are still ways to spoil your pet while also lowering its carbon footprint. This article will explain how we can be greener pet owners.
Do not shop, adopt!
Adoption is a great option when you are ready to add another furry member to your family.
The Humane Society estimates that up to 8 million pets end up in shelters each year. Shelters and rescue groups can take in pets of any breed, size, or age, including purebred kittens and older mutts, as well as distinguished felines. Animals are spayed or neutered and vaccinated. The adoption fees are much lower than those charged by breeders and pet shops. Adopting saves lives.
Half of all the pets that are surrendered annually to shelters never find their forever homes. Adopting a pet to a loving home helps reduce stress in shelters and combat pet overpopulation. PetFinder.com can help you find your next best friend.
Rethink Kibble
Few things get cats and dogs more excited than hearing their bowels churn. Some pet foods can harm the environment. Pesticides are used to grow wheat and corn, while some pet foods are made overseas.
One option is organic pet food.
Organic pet food is free of fillers and, therefore, more nutritious than commercial pet foods. This means that pets will eat less. Organic pet food is more affordable because they are smaller in serving sizes. It is also essential to select pet foods that are made from sustainable ingredients.
By-products are animal parts that humans don’t eat, such as intestines, bones, and organ meats. They can be a viable alternative to landfills. These parts could be used for pet food but would otherwise go to the dump.
Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics found that pet food contains more than 5.2 million tons of wild-caught forage fish. Some pet food companies use certified seafood from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and the Marine Stewardship Council. Pay attention to the labels.
Pets and the Planet: Protect Our Planet
Parasites can cause serious health problems in pets
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at least 1,600 pets died from severe reactions to active ingredients in tick and flea treatments. Flea dips, shampoos, and sprays also contain the same ingredients.
Other “green” options to toxic flea control include vacuuming, cleaning bedding, brushing pets with flea combs, and using non-detergent organic shampoos with Neem oil. Many natural alternatives are available, such as flea sprayers and shampoos containing essential oils like geranium, citronella, and mint. You can ask your vet for suggestions.
Choose Earth-Conscious Products
Toys – Look out for balls, bones, and other chewables made of non-toxic rubber or recycled materials. Manufacturers will make claims on the labels about the origin of the materials. You can easily play for hours with no impact on the environment.
Manufacturers are trying to find ways to reuse materials to keep waste out of the landfill. Shops sell squeak toys made with recycled plastic bottles and tug-of-war toys made from upcycled fabric. Hemp toys are another eco-friendly option. Natural toys are usually free from toxic dyes and strong enough to withstand even the most powerful dogs.
Pet beds: Be sure to read the labels and make sure you only purchase pet beds made with post-consumer recycled materials.
Leashes and collars: The majority of dog leashes made from nylon are nylon. The production of nylon produces nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that can be linked to global warming. Instead, choose leashes and collars made from canvas, hemp, and other recycled materials. Look for American-made products to reduce the carbon footprint of naptime and playtime essentials.
Pet waste should be kept under control
Poop is something that pet owners are well aware of. It’s not enough to scoop dog waste out of the litter box with plastic bags or flush cat litter down the toilet. Although feces can be biodegradable, most scoop bags used for picking them up are made of plastic. There are other options available, such as brands that make bags made from biodegradable and compostable materials.
Related Keywords: alert, animal, award, beg, begging, beige, class, clicker, communication, cookie, cute, dog, doggie, dog training, eat, food, friend, friendly, fun, golden, green, hands, happy, instruction, intelligence, lab, Labrador, learn, methods, obedience, obedient, paw, cheerful, private, relationship, retriever, school, shake, sit, sitting, intelligent, teach, trained, trainer, training, working, yellow, yeast, English, service, disclosure, order, public, Woman, dog, Ukraine, breed, officer, crime, security, outdoors, people, canine, sit, friend, head, pedigree, purebred, intelligent, brown, smile, hound, portrait, adorable, charming, pet, animal, whisperer, defense, patrol, mounted, militia, law, force, duty, guard, command, training.