10 Simple Ways to Green Your Pet

With the weather clearing up, dog and cat lovers can be seen enjoying the outdoors with their pets.  Many members of the Greenwala have submitted photos of their cute pets in the PETCO Healthy Family, Healthy Pet Contest on the site.  Most of the entries provide us all with their stories of how they are living a healthy lifestyle with their pets.

If you are wondering how you and your pet can be more eco-friendly, check out this list:

10 Simple Ways to Green Your Pet

1) Use Biodegradable Bags to Clean Up Their Poop

2) Do Not Let Kitty Litter Clump

If you own a cat, do everything you can to not let your cats waste clump up if you don't own organic kitty litter. If you do, then you are for the most part ok. However, letting kitty poop clump up can release dust which is harmful to kitties lungs.

3) Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Over 70K puppies and kittens are born every day. We are already at crisis mode in terms of homeless and abandoned animals. Thanks to the economy, this has only gotten worse

4) Use Natural and Organic Pet Food

Obviously you want to treat yourself right so why not your pet? Natural, Organic and Holistic pet foods are available for all types of pets. Look for the labels and see that they are full of vitamins, and nutrients and free of pesticides, and any attempt to bio-engineer the product. Organic pet foods are available for birds, hamsters, dogs, cats and others. You can also get organic snack treats. So do your research and find what's best for your pet.

5) Use Organic Grooming and Cleaning Products

Pet food is not the only thing to think about when you think organic. Grooming and cleaning products are also now available to make sure your pet has a healthy and shiny coat. Not only will your pet look and smell better, they will feel better as the natural products will be easier on them if they swallow some of the water. Most importantly, if you use a natural flea remover product, that won't be harmful to your pet

6) Use Organic and Sustainable Pet Accessories (Bedding, Collars and Leashes)

We humans spend a third of life sleeping. Well so do most dogs. We obviously want to be comfortable so look for organic cotton and sustainable beddings such as an affordable eco-futon (approx. $39) to help give your dog a sound sleep. While you are at it, you can also look to get collars, leashes and PET bottles made from recycled materials as well.  Some common collars and leashes are made from hemp (by Planet Dog) or recycled plastic (by Bison Pet).

7) Protect Your Pets and Use Proper ID Tags

In the US alone over 3 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. Many of these can be avoided if you properly ID tag your pet, they have tags made from recycled material so check with your local vet or animal shelter first. You should also consider tagging your pet with a chip. This is the ultimate form of loss prevention.

8) Avoid Pet Toys with Harmul Toxins Such as Lead

When looking for pet toys do the same thing that you would do for your kids and that's to read the label and avoid toys with lead in them. Lead in products are equally as harmful for pets as they are for humans. In fact, the best thing to do is to get creative and create toys from recycled items that you have laying around the house.

9) Be Active and Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Get out and get active. Not only is this a great tip for humans, but it is absolutely the best thing to do for your dog. Don't have a dog, then let your cat run around outside but make sure there is a cat enclosure. In fact, if you want to get out with your dog, go to a dog park to play with other dogs because usually the vegetation around the park can

handle your dog jumping around looking for the ball that you threw a little too hard. However, when in doubt always leash your dog, since accidents can happen.

10) Be Commited to Your Pet

The worse thing a pet owner could do is not be committed to them once they own one.  Owning a pet is a big responsibility and not just to have fun or because it is the latest trend/fad or it was in the latest pet movie.

Yes pets are fun for all ages, but they need care like a child and if you are committed to your pet it will be easier for you to also implement the other tips above.

If you have any other suggestions for the Greenwala community feel free to leave a comment below!