Greener Pets: How You Can Make Pet Ownership More Eco-Friendly

Pet ownership is a big responsibility - you have to care for the animal for its entire life, buying food, bedding, clothing, toys, and other supplies. But did you ever stop to think about the environmental responsibilities of owning a pet?

There is, in fact, a significant environmental consideration in owning a pet. Consider, for instance, the manufacture of pet foods and all the packaging involved, and consider the synthetic rubber and plastic toys pet owners often buy for their animals. Here are some tips on how you can make pet ownership more eco-friendly.

Managing Pet Wastes

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dogs - When you walk your dog, you really need to scoop its poop. Leaving it outside pollutes the water supply and is unsanitary. It also changes the composition of the soil and kills grass and other plants. When you dispose of your pet's waste, the most eco-friendly thing to do is seal it in a biodegradable bag and trash it.

Cats - Scooping kitty litter is one of those tasks that most cat owners dislike, but you can at least make it a more eco-friendly venture by also using biodegradable bags to place the "scoopings" in. Also, effective, biodegradable kitty litter is available and is a good, eco-conscious choice.

Buying vs. Making Food

Interestingly, pets produce more of that problematic waste material (i.e. poop) when they are fed cheap pet food that's full of fillers and artificial colors. Also, the manufacture of pet foods on such a massive scale may not be the most environmentally friendly thing.

Consider making your own pet food, or buying sustainable, pre-made pet foods that are simple and natural. It's not too hard to make your own pet treats, either - they are basically just hard biscuits made in pet-friendly flavors.

Does Your Dog or Cat Really Need That?

Let's face it - it's fun to buy little cute toys and things for your fur babies. But does your dog really need another rubber squeaky toy, and does your cat need another plastic dingle ball? Many dogs are happy with a stick or a favorite toy or two, and many cats just enjoy an inexpensive piece of string. Rope toys made from natural hemp are an option for dogs, and many cats enjoy rolling on catnip, which you can grow yourself.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flea Control

Controlling fleas is important for your pet's health and comfort. But using pesticides on your pet's body may be harmful both to your pet's health and to the environment. Consider eco-friendly, herbal flea collars, sprays, or spot-on treatments. It's also a good idea to comb your pet daily to remove fleas that were picked up outdoors before they get established.

By following just a few simple green tips, you can make owning a pet better for you, them, and the environment.

Organic Pet Food: Is There Such a Thing?

Are you a pet owner?  If you are, you likely take steps to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy.  Unfortunately, many pet owners find it difficult to do so, especially where food is concerned.  In April of 2007, a large pet food recall left many pet owners wondering what they should feed their pets.  Although time has passed since that recall, many pet owners still second guess their decision to feed their pets “traditional,” pet foods.  If you are one of those pet owners, consider feeding your pet organic pet food.

Image by ciao_yvon via FlickrOne of the many questions that pet owners have concerning organic pet food is if it really does exist.  It does.  Right now, a large number of organic pet food sellers are independently run operations, also commonly known as small to medium sized businesses.  With that being said, a large number of pet food companies are now developing lines of organic pet foods, especially for dogs and cats.  This means that many pet owners now have a relatively large selection of organic pet foods to choose from.  This is a surprising fact for many, as some pet owners never knew that there was such a thing as organic pet food.

As nice as it is to hear that organic pet food does exist, many wonder why they should give it to their pets.  After a close examination, you will see that there are a number of reasons why organic pet food is advised.  One of those reasons is that organic foods, including foods for pets, are natural, safe, and healthy.  When feeding your pet organic pet food, you do not have to worry about chemicals in the foods, including harmful chemicals or otherwise safe chemicals with harmful amounts.  Most organic food companies have strict restrictions that they must follow.  These restrictions may include no chemicals on or near the production line.  This can help to eliminate errors or confusion.

Since there are a number of benefits to feeding pets organic pet foods, many pet owners start examining their options.  Unfortunately, many are turned away by the costs.  Yes, organic pet food often does cost more, but many find it more than worth the cost. In fact, many devoted pet owners are willing to pay the extra money to just get the comfort and peace of mind that is commonly associated with natural, organic foods.

Image by I-5 Design & Manufacture via FlickrIf this is the first time that you are looking to buy organic food for your pets, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so.  If you are interested shopping locally, you are urged to visit one of your local pet supply stores.  Since these stores specialize solely in pets, you are likely to find the largest selection of organic pet foods.  Other options involve supermarkets and department stores; however, they may only have a limited selection of organic pet foods, if they even have any at all.

As nice as it is to be able to purchase organic pet food locally, you may find the best results with shopping online.  You can easily find organic pet food for sale online.  What is nice about shopping for organic pet food online is that you are often present with a large selection of products.  In fact, you will see that a large number of websites that sell organic pet food products are actually run by individuals who just have a love for pets.  You can find these websites with a standard internet search - or see below for some examples. Comparative shopping on sites such as Amazon.com can end up saving you quite a bit.

As previously stated, there are a number of benefits to switching your pet or pets to organic foods.  In addition to organic pet foods, did you know that you can also purchase other organic items for your pet?  You can and these items can include pet treats and pet toys - made without harmful chemical contents for your dog to ingest.

Some Examples of Organic Pet Foods: