How To Go Green If You Have A Pet

If you have a pet, there are many ways to go green and protect the environment with the help of your four legged friend. Many companies have started putting environmentally friendly products on the market and this includes businesses that sell pet supplies. Therefore, you should have no problem staying green if you own a cat, dog or any other pet. Here is some advice on how you can achieve this: 

Clean Up After Your Dog

This may sound like basic respect and common sense, but unfortunately many dog owners are still too lazy to clean up after their companion. You've probably walked into dog poop at some point in your life and it's obviously not a pleasant experience. Therefore, cleaning up after your dog is very important. To help the environment even more, use bags made out of degradable plastic. Essentially, the bags are designed to take a short time to break up after they reach the landfill, as opposed to several decades, as with other plastic bags. A reusable pooper scooper type products could also be an alternative to consider. 

Make Your Own Pet Food

There are thousands of free pet food recipes that you can find online. Giving them “real” food can actually be healthier and more environmentally friendly than buying pet food from a store. After all, cats and dogs have lived as pets long before any type of pet food products were commercialized. Remember that you need to take your pet's dietary needs in consideration when you prepare food for them, as their requirements won't necessarily be the same ones than for a human. 

Buy Eco-Friendly Items For Your Pets

Pet supplies are part of a multi billion dollar market worldwide. Anything from chew toys, leashes, collars, balls, etc. is sold all over the place. If you're shopping for items to buy for your pet, try to seek out some that are environmentally friendly. Look for biodegradable packaging, or toys that are made from recycled materials. This will encourage businesses that make pet products in an environmentally responsible way. 

Use Natural Pet Care Products

Care products for pets may not always be made up to the same safety standards than items intended for human use. The problem is that some cleaning shampoos for pets may contain chemicals that could irritate your pet's skin after prolonged use, or increase the chance that the animal will suffer from a serious disease, such as heart problems or cancer (yes, it also exists in animals). By buying products that contain natural ingredients which have been proven to be safe on pets, you can take care of your pet in an environmentally friendly and safe way.
 

This article was written by Dona Kemmer, a longtime biologist shifting into green technology. She thinks that it’s essential to find alternatives to man-made materials using degradable plastic. In her spare time, Dona explores the world, seeking natural beauty in any form.