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Green Living: How to Reduce your Pet’s Pawprint
Collective care of the environment has waxed and waned over the years, but today, more people than ever are interested in becoming involved and making changes in their lifestyles to reduce their impact on the planet. This movement promotes the concept of sustainable living – or “green” living – which is the ability to maintain a comfortable existence today without jeopardizing the environment for future generations. Often times, green living practices not only safeguard the environment but also provide health benefits for consumers, result in more humane treatment of farm animals, and support local communities.
What can you do to practice a greener lifestyle? A great deal of options exist, including using products that are durable or made from recycled materials (which reduces contributions to landfills), that are produced locally (which reduces the environmental costs of transporting products long distances, as well as supports local businesses and reduces the amount of time between the harvest or processing of food and consumption, during which food begins to lose its nutritional value), and that are organic (which are produced without the assistance of antibiotics, growth hormones, chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers, preservatives, and other production methods that can endanger the environment, the welfare of farm animals, the health of communities close to the farming operations, and the health of consumers).
These options are available not only for people but also for pets. If you’re interested in reducing your pet’s pawprint, consider the following ideas:
Sustainable pet foods and treats
Like human food choices, your pet’s diet has an impact on the environment. Numerous lines of organic pet foods and treats are now available. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have their own lines, and additional brands, such as those produced by the Honest Kitchen, Pet Guard, Newman’s Own Organics, and Natura Pet Products, are sold at pet stores and online retailers. As diet is crucial to a pet’s health, pet owners should check with their veterinarians before switching pet foods.
For locally produced treats, pet owners can visit the Natural Pet Market in Wheaton and Two Bostons in Naperville.
Another sustainable option is to purchase pet foods and treats in bulk quantities, which minimizes packaging waste and transportation costs. Pet owners may then store these items for up to three months in lidded bins kept in a cool, dark area of the home to prevent spoilage.
Sustainable methods of disposing of pet waste
As pet owners know, what goes in must come out. Traditional kitty litters are made from clay obtained through strip mining, a practice that disrupts the land surface and generates waste. Dust from the clay can also irritate a cat’s lungs. A sustainable alternative is biodegradable litter that avoids mining operations, such as wheat based Swheat Scoop and corn based One Earth Cat Litter. Other biodegradable options are litters made from recycled paper, such as Yesterday’s News, or reclaimed wood, such as Feline Pine. These litters not only avoid mining operations but also utilize post consumer waste that would otherwise be disposed in a landfill.
Many communities require dog owners to pick up droppings left by their dogs while walking through another person’s yard or in a public place. Often times, dog owners complete the task with plastic bags, which may take over 100 years to decompose when disposed in a landfill. A green solution is to use biodegradable bags. Such bags are available at pet stores and online retailers. When the bag is disposed, it quickly degrades along with the dog’s droppings. Dog owners may also compost droppings – either alone or contained in a biodegradable bag – as long as the compost is not going to be used for edible plants.
Sustainable cleaning products
For pet related accidents and odors, pet owners can use environmentally friendly household cleaning supplies, such as those produced by Nature’s Miracle, which are made from non-toxic, natural enzymes, and those produced by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, which are made from naturally derived ingredients, are biodegradable, and do not contain phosphates.
Sustainable pet products
Bedding, toys, leashes, and other pet products are available in sustainable varieties. Hemp, a biodegradable fiber that is grown without the benefit of pesticides or herbicides, may be used to make durable collars, leashes, harnesses, and chew toys. Planet Dog, Earthdog, and Purrfectplay offer such products online. Recycled and organic materials may also be used. Planet Dog uses recycled materials to make a variety of products, including durable chew toys. Lost in Lounge makes bedding from organic cotton and post consumer recycled plastic bottles. Purrfectplay uses organic cotton and wool to make a variety of products for cats and dogs, including bedding, toys, and collars.
By using the foregoing practices, pet owners can minimize the impact of their pets on the environment and assist in preserving the planet for future generations. For additional ideas, contact the Welcome Waggin’ Mobile Veterinary Service at service@thewelcomewaggin.com or (630) 699-3113.
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