Pet Help

Going green? Don’t forget to involve Puppy or Kitty, too! You and your pet can go green together.

Collars made of organic cotton or hemp are on the market. Hemp is one of nature’s most durable fibers and it gets soft and stays strong - making it the perfect material for collars, leashes and harnesses. For a different look. Other earth-friendly collars are made from 100% certified recycled plastic.

And while out on a walk in that new collar, take along a biodegradable pet waste bag.

Speaking of biodegradable, biodegradable piddle pads are available on the market, or even better use washable pads from those from medical supply companies. You could make your own by sewing washable plastic to the back of an old towel.

If there’s an accident in the house, look for the products that are all natural, eco-sensitive alternatives to harsh chemicals that are found in traditional household cleaners. At the same time, if the dog needs a bath, use shampoos with natural ingredients, too.

Organic pet food can be found on most grocery store shelves these days, or you can feed your pet raw whole foods that you make yourself. Information can be found on line or at the library about the proper proportions for your pet’s good health.

Even pet toys can be green. Toys are on the shelves that are made with recycled plastic and then can be recycled if your pet loses interest. Organic fabrics and natural dyes make soft toys green. Check to see that the paper tag is made from recycled paper, too!

When kitty or pup is ready for a nap, find pet beds made from recycled materials. Besides the cover fabrics, fiberfill can be spun from post-consumer plastic beverage bottles. Beds we found were filled with the equivalent of over 50 recycled plastic bottles.

Avoid clay litter. Because clay is strip mined, it’s not earth friendly. Two alternatives are made from recycled newspaper and corn kernels. According to the product information, the corn made litter is clumpable and flushable. Or recycle your own newspapers. Put a folded section in the bottom and tear thin strips of other sections for the “litter”. If your cat is young, he or she may adapt to the new litter easily. An older cat may need a gradual transition, mixing the new with the old in increasing proportions.

Some people build their own cat condos out of recycled carpet and wood, but if you’re not the crafty type, you can find the recyclable “cat trees” for sale.

These are just a few ideas for going green with your pet.

For more green ideas and tips visit http://greentipsforyou.com/ or look for other articles here that I have written on this subject.