Going Green is for the Dogs… and Cats, Bunnies, and Hamster

Perhaps you feel like you are doing your part to go green. But have you ever considered the role your pets play In eco-friendly living? Here are a few suggestions when it comes to raising an eco-friendly pet:

• Rescue an animal. There are millions of animals each year that end up in shelters. Selecting one of these animals will help reduce the shelter populations.
• Buy quality food. Make sure that what goes in your pet is made from the best possible ingredients. Many pet foods contain fillers made from corn and other by-products, artificial flavors or colors, and ingredients that are grown using toxic pesticides. If you aren’t eating food like that, why should your pet? Look for natural, organic foods, or even look up recipes online and make your own!
• Caring for waste. Instead of using a plastic bag and having your dog’s deposits live on forever in the bottom of a landfill, use a biodegradable bag and compost it! As long as you don’t use your compost for your veggie garden, you can toss your bio-bag into the compost instead of the trash can. For cats, avoid clay/clumping litter and go for eco-friendly litters. Green cat litters are made from natural products such as wheat, corn, wood pellets, newspaper, or pine. They are all biodegradable and can be composted.
• Use non-plastic. Stainless steel, ceramic or glass are all good green options for food and water bowls. Chemicals in plastic, specifically BPAs, pose a health risk to your pets.
• Spay and neuter your pets. This simple procedure will help to control the stray cat population and reduce the number of unwanted pets that end up in shelters.

Caring for your pet in an eco-friendly way ensures your precious companions will be healthy and safe. More ideas and resources available at www.earth911.com .