Green Paws
You love your pets like family—so why not go green for Fido, too?
By Jenn Mattern
You’re committed to going green, you’re savvy about global warming, hybrids, and PVCs, but how do your beloved companion animals fit into the grand scheme? Is it possible to “green” your pets?
Christa Abel, owner of eco-friendly pet boutique
Bark N’ Cat in North Adams, Massachusetts, thinks so. More than that, she believes the pet industry is beginning to reflect the overall movement toward sustainable, recyclable, “green” products and organic foods.
“I went into this business because I love dogs and cats. They enrich our lives, improve our health, and provide unconditional love,” says Abel with enthusiasm. “My goal is to provide products and assistance to support that unique and wonderful bond we have with our pets. I want to provide people with more thoughtful and discerning products that are not available in the mass market.”
Bark N’ Cat’s top sellers? Deer antlers (“a natural product full of minerals, as opposed to a synthetic product made from petrochemicals,” says Abel),
Zogoflex Hurleys by
West Paw Design and
Free Range Dog Chews. Cat lovers go crazy for hemp catnip toys, as well as
Natural Cat Scratchers made of recycled cardboard by
Kong.
“Right now, the socially responsible smaller independent companies are leading the charge,” Abel adds. “The larger corporations are trying to catch up. Basically, pet owners are buying less in this market climate. However, they’re more informed and far more selective about what they are buying—and discerning customers are buying higher-quality, eco-friendly products.”
Curious about our recommendations for a greener paw? Some of our fave green gadgets, goodies and go-tos for pet-lovers? Bookbark—er, bookmark— these our seven tips and you’ll be on your way to lessening your pet’s carbon pawprint and keeping him or her healthier and happier as well.
1. Think global, but buy local.
Bark N’ Cat is just one of many terrific brick-and-mortar options across the U.S. for those who consider Rover and Tiger to be part of their green family. So shop local. Shop smart. Build relationships. Bonus: Winston can come along and pick out his own fave green toy! |
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2. Need online help?
Let GreatGreenPet sniff out a green trail for you! This shopping blog combs the net for the best environmentally friendly pet products out there. We particularly love Doggy Duvet by Molly Mutt—basically a washable cover that you can stuff with old towels, blankets or whatever your pooch prefers as bedding, and the super-absorbent Shammy by Planet Dog made from recycled woodchips. Bonus: Eco-smart pet tips, too! |
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3. Waste away.
A green champ for 40 years, and still going strong, The
Doggie Dooley In-Ground Pet Poop Eliminator may have a long name, but it makes short work of mess. Doggie Dooley functions like a tiny septic tank, using natural bacteria and enzymes to neatly (and niftily) reduce the omnipresent dog waste to a ground-absorbed liquid.
a site that offers a wide range of green treats and treasures for your favorite earth dog—with a stylish metro twist. We love the
organic cotton dog toys and tees and the
biodegradable poop bags. Bonus: There’s a
Muttropolis blog full of green pet news, from pet fashion and photography, to specially trained search dogs sent to Haiti from the U.S. during the recent earthquake disaster.
5. Read, then feed.
We know we’ve scratched our heads over this one (but we still can’t do it with our feet). What’s the best recipe for inexpensive, simple, homemade dog food? Try
this one from
Discovery’s Planet Green, and your pup will want thirds. Down, boy. Stay.
6. Get nontoxic flea help, stat!
Did you know there are more than
2,000 identified species of fleas worldwide? But it’s the devious
cat flea—which attacks cats, dogs AND humans—that’s most likely to be your indoor enemy. Meee-OWW!
You probably don’t want to hear this, but for every flea you find on your pet, there are likely (prepare to scratch) 30 more in your home, lurking. And according to Mother Earth News, most flea meds
chemical flea control products target only 5 percent of the flea population — the adults.
But breathe easy and keep your finger off the chemical spray trigger if you can. There are a number of nontoxic, natural ways to keep fleas at bay. Want details? Visit
eartheasy’s Natural Flea Control page and
Mother Earth News’ Simple Tips for Flea Control. We’ll start you off with our fresh-smelling favorite tip: eucalyptus! Pesky fleas can’t abide the stuff, so fill glass jars with leaves and stems and set them about the house to deter fleas from setting up housekeeping.
7. Make green pet ownership a way of life.
From green pet tales to helpful toxic fact sheets for your furred and feathered friends,
Green Paws is an indispensible resource for every eco-conscious animal lover. We adore its frequently updated content and its wealth of wise info.
AUTHOR BIO: Jenn Mattern is a freelance writer who lives in the eco-happy Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts with two kids, two rescue dogs and a rescue cat. She is the author of the acclaimed blog
Breed ’Em and Weep.
- Take me back home -