Greening Your Pet’s Paw Print in Six Simple Steps

Animals lead a relatively simple existence compared to humans, requiring just a few basic essentials in order to be happy and healthy, and yet we tend to overcomplicate things by cluttering the lives of our furry family members with countless accessories and goodies. This is the typical way in which we display our love for them, but the consumerist trap that we get tangled up in ends up exposing our pets to a whole host of manufacturing chemicals and harmful elements. As with so many other aspects of environmentalism, when pursuing a greener lifestyle for your pet, the very best course of action is to simply just go back to the basics.

Whether you are a DIY maven or you prefer to rely on the convenience of store-bought supplies, the good news is that the majority of your pet’s needs can be fulfilled in an eco-friendly manner without compromising their health or quality of life.

Bedding

It can be really tempting to purchase a $10 pet bed from Costco, but have you ever taken note of the pungent odor continuously emanating from the exterior fibers? In many cases, pet cushions are synthetic and derived from oil rather than plant-based materials and then saturated with a final coat of stain-proofing chemicals. In the rare cases that they’re actually made of cotton, it’s generally the conventional, genetically modified type — a very thirsty crop that consumes 25% of our global agricultural chemicals. Why not make a far safer, customized DIY version instead that utilizes clothing weaned from your own closet or create a repurposed version that makes the most of materials we might otherwise dismiss?

Toys

Squeaky vinyl toys: So cute and noisy, yet oh so dangerous when you realize that your pet is absorbing the chemicals straight through their saliva. Think about how easily they’re entertained — will they really miss chewing on cartoon faces? Probably not. In fact, they’ll probably be equally as enthusiastic about playing catch with several recycled, hole-ridden socks tied up in a tight knot, a feather gleaned from the corner of your yard or oh yeah, a real, genuine stick!

Food

The infamous pet food recall of 2007, due to the discovery of a rodent poison called aminopterin along with melamine and cyanuric acid (both can cause renal failure in pets), resulted in the unfortunate death of 8,500 animals. This put the majority of pet owners on alert, prompting them to pay more attention to the ingredients they were feeding them. However, today’s mainstream, highly processed commercial diets are typically laden with grain and rendered animal byproducts, both of which compromise the health of dogs and cats, often triggering diabetes and other chronic ailments.

Natural and/or organic alternatives produced by Wysong, Timber Wolf Organics, Instinct, Kumpi, Evo, Nature’s Logic, Honest Kitchen and Halo or raw diets manufactured by Bravo, Northwest Naturals and Raw Advantage are far more beneficial to carnivorous pets since they effectively address their dietary needs compared to mass-produced (albeit dirt cheap) offerings. A less costly yet equally reasonable option is to make your own pet food, which will be free of extraneous packaging, locally sourced and jam-packed full of nutrients.

Dishware

If Bisphenol A-impregnated plastic is bad for us, it’s probably not a good idea to allow our beloved pet family members to consume their meals and water out of it, either, no matter how appealing the design. Rigid plastic generally contains endocrine-disrupting chemicals that trigger an elaborate array of ailments in humans (including reproductive issues, various cancers, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s) and with soaring rates of pet health illnesses that mimic what humans generally suffer, why tempt fate? This is a quick fix that’s as easy as swapping out their old plastic dishware for glazed enamel or stainless steel versions.

Cleaning supplies

If you’re still convinced that the bracing scent of chemicals wafting through your personal environment is indicative of germ-free cleanliness, then it’s high time that you revise your approach and get in touch with your natural side. Pets, like human babies, are incredibly sensitive to synthetic chemicals and more often than not smell, touch and lick everything within their reach. Purging your home of all chemicals and instead opting to use 100% natural alternatives isn’t just great for the planet, it’s also a sound investment in your personal health as well as that of every other family member under your roof (dogs, cats and various other pets included). Here are a few green cleaning tips for pet households:

Create a homemade stain/odor solution in a spray bottle by mixing together 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of baking soda (which naturally deodorizes) and one-half teaspoon of dish soap. Spray the affected area liberally, scrub thoroughly and allow to air dry. To boost the formula, feel free to add several tablespoons of white vinegar to the mix.

Address vomit stains by removing any solid material, applying a Borax solution (2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of Borax) and if all else fails, coat the offending area with foamy shaving cream, which truly does work in mysterious ways due to its stain-lifting surfactants.

Personal care products

Anything that comes into contact with your pet’s skin (shampoo, conditioner, flea repellent, etc.) should be as natural as possible — we’re talking about their body’s largest organ, after all. If you scan the list of ingredients found in conventional products, however, there are far too many unpronounceable elements that were likely cooked up in a lab. Bear in mind that there is always a green alternative to what is typically sold in mainstream stores, and if you are daunted by the price (which is understandable), it’s relatively easy to whip up a budget-friendly version that will address your pet’s needs in a much gentler yet equally effective manner. From homemade lavender oil-infused flea repellent and apple cider-based shampoo to four-ingredient pet toothpaste, the sky is the limit, and your pets will thank you for your commitment to their health and well being by spending far less time at the veterinarian’s office.