How Can I Be an Eco-Friendly Dog Owner?
If you have a dog, chances are, you already go green simply by recycling and reusing your plastic water bottles. However, there are also many other ways to live more eco-friendly with your pooch. But before you begin doing this, make sure that the eco-friendly changes you make don't hurt or harm either one of you! Here are some great tips to help get started:
Keep a Clean Water Bowl
When your pet has a water bowl, make sure to keep it clean. That includes replacing the water every day or so. Doing this ensures that your pet isn't drinking stale water, which could make them sick. Also, clean pet water bowls are less likely to attract bugs. (They like dirty water as much as we do). Plus, it's just a nice thing to do.
Bring Paperless Poop Bags
When you're out walking your dog, try to bring along eco-friendly poop bags made from recycled paper pulp or other alternatives such as bioplastic. Using biodegradable dog poop bags are better for the environment than using plastic pet poop bags, which can take hundreds of years to break down! There are so many options available today – why not choose one already friendly with Mother Nature?
Use Reusable Dog Waste Bags
If you pick up your pet's waste with plastic dog waste bags, consider switching over to reusable dog waste bags. They are economical, eco-friendly and effective. You can even use them to pick up your other pet's messes as well. Up to three times before you need to dispose of them.
Read the Ingredients
When it comes to your pet's food, try to avoid buying foods with corn meal or other fillers that are hard for dogs to digest. These ingredients can actually cause health problems. Instead, opt for healthy dog food made with organic meat and produce, which is good for both you and your furry friend!
Some pet products are made with harsh chemicals that can harm the environment. Try to purchase natural alternatives whenever possible. For example, did you know that many shampoos contain formaldehyde?
Wash Your Dog Less Often
Before you reach for that shampoo bottle, think about how often you actually need to wash your pet. While they do get dirty, washing them too often can strip their coat of natural oils and cause skin irritation. Bathe your dog about once a month to keep them looking and feeling great.
Don't Use Chemicals Around Your Dog
When it comes to home cleaning products, think twice before using harsh chemicals around your dog. Dogs love to chew on things – including those containers! Not only can this be dangerous because your dog might ingest something toxic, but it may also lead them to become sick over time due to contamination.
Use Green Cleaning Products for Your Dog's Home
Just like with humans, pet messes should be cleaned up using eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products. In fact, you can even make your own green cleaners with some vinegar or baking soda and lemon juice. These simple and natural ingredients will get rid of any dog smell without harming the environment or your pet's health.
Give Your Pet Natural Treats
Just like with human snacks, you should avoid feeding your pet processed treats which contain artificial flavors and sweeteners. Instead, opt for healthy dog treats made from organic meat sources such as chicken and beef liver. Don't forget to check the ingredients list on the packaging to ensure that your purchase is 100% environmentally friendly!
Keep things green by keeping them natural or organic. You may pay a little more, but it's worth protecting your dog and the planet. If you'd rather not buy new stuff, give some thought to sharing items among friends who have pets too.
Consider a Natural Brand of Pet Food
Many pet foods contain fillers and other ingredients that are best avoided when it comes to protecting the environment. Find out what is really in your pet's food by reading the label. If you can't pronounce or understand the ingredients, put it down and try another brand. LAIKA Latex Squeaky Dog Chewing Ball is one of the best ways to keep your pet busy and content. This toy is made with FDA food-grade material, so you know it's safe for your dog.
Buy a Pet-Friendly Hybrid Vehicle
If you have furry friends in your family, then you know just how many trips to the pet store they take every month. In addition to their food and treats, all of those toys and leashes add up quickly! To help ease the impact on Mother Earth from so many trips, consider investing in a hybrid vehicle.
These environmentally friendly cars get great gas mileage, which means less trips to fill Fido's tank and even less carbon dioxide hitting our atmosphere. Any way you look at it, going green with your dog will make the world a better place for you and your canine companion.
Use Natural Lawn Care Products for Your Dog's Yard
Lawn care products like fertilizers and weed killers may be bad for the environment, but they make great dog snacks! The safest option is to use all-natural fertilizers, which won't hurt your pet or other animals that might ingest the grass. Others choose to go completely chemical-free with their yards and rely on organic practices like proper mowing, aeration, mulching and detaching.
Remember that these are just some simple steps you can take to make your dog part of the solution rather than part of the problem when it comes to taking care of the environment. By doing your part, you will also help protect all those little paws running around out there in the coming years!
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