With all of the issues of late with pets dying from the food they eat, a lot of people have begun looking at alternative ways to care for their pets. This even extends to the kind of flea collars that are used and toys bought for them. We want to keep our beloved furry friends healthy and around for a long time, but you can help the environment, too. So here are some tips for going green with your pets.
1. Use biodegradable doggy bags for the poop. When you take your dog for a walk you have to clean up the poop. If you use biodegradable bags, then you’ll be helping out the planet while helping out your pet.
2. When it comes to washing, use an earth-friendly soap on your pet. It’s better for your pet because it doesn’t have all of the chemicals and toxins, and that also makes it better for the environment. These soaps break down in the drain easier and are better for septics. An added bonus: they smell nice, too.
3. Clean with vinegar. Not only does it clean, but it also deodorizes. Use it to get up the hairball in the carpet, drool on the couch, poo accidents or throw up… (Because let’s face it, even the best trained pet has an accident once in a while.) It’s safer than bleach and still removes the mold and bacteria all the same. So instead of reaching for the bleach, try using vinegar to clean up pet messes.
4. Towel dry your pet after baths instead of using the blow dryer. While the blow dryer is fast and convenient, it’s not good for the environment and it can dry out your animal’s skin anyways, or frighten him. So dry him off real good with a towel and then let him air dry the rest of the way.
Just make sure to keep him inside until he’s really dry, especially if it’s cold out. Not only do you not want your just bathed wet dog rolling around in the dirt, you also don’t want him to get sick.
5. Use rags instead of paper towels for clean ups. You’ll produce less waste by using rags for cleaning up any messes your pet makes. You’ll also save yourself money by not having to replace paper towels all the time.
6. Recycle your old towels by donating them to a shelter. Towels, blankets, or whatever linens you don’t need anymore can be great and very much needed at your local animal shelter. They are always in need of stuff. That goes for that old chew toy your dog won’t play with, too. Instead of throwing it away, pass it on to someone who can use it. The collar and leash that your dog outgrew can be passed on to the local animal shelter as well.
7. Make your own fertilizer for your garden with your pet’s waste. This makes for a great and natural fertilizer and you will use fewer bags throwing it away.
8. For your cat, stop using clay kitty litters. Trade it in for an eco-friendly kitty litter.
9. Don’t give your pet bottled water. Use the faucet. Add a filter to your faucet or get a separate filtration system for the water.
10. Instead of driving to the dog park, walk if you can. Or better yet, walk around the neighborhood with your dog. The exercise will be good for both of you. If you really want to get your dog out and socializing at the dog park and don’t live in walking distance, then see if you can carpool with another one of your dog park buddies.
11. Use a natural flea repellent instead of flea collars. Things like rosemary, lavender, apple cider vinegar, or a lemon spray all naturally deter fleas. And you don’t have the added waste of the collar and the toxic chemicals of the flea collar touching your pet and being emitted into the air.
Doing these things can be great for your wallet and they will make you feel good about what you’re doing for the environment, too. It’s also better for your pet, and it often will save you money. So go green with your pets today.
*This post contains affiliate links.*
