It’s hard to admit your precious pet could do anything wrong, but we have to accept that our furry friends have carbon paw prints all their own. In an effort to reduce our pet’s carbon paw prints, you can choose eco-friendly pet products that will make your pet and the environment happy.
Green Eating
You will find a variety of organic and natural pet foods at most pet stores. Organic and natural foods are better for the earth and your pet, because they eliminate harmful pesticides from the growing mix. Using natural meats also removes animal by-products from your pet’s food, which could include feathers, feet and bones.
Why not take it a step further and buy local? Treats Unleashed is a local pet boutique and bakery that manufactures its own natural food and treats onsite in Amherst. Your four-legged friend can help support the local economy, reduce carbon emissions and enjoy a homemade treat all at once.
Take that natural food one step further and compost it.
Green Cleaning
There are natural kitty litter options, such as sawdust or pine horse pellets that will compost your cat’s waste. Saw dust and pine horse pellets absorb just as well as treated litters and often smell better than most clay or crystal litters. Because these natural litters are not chemically treated, you can dump them into your compost pile and start making black gold for your garden.
Just because your dog doesn’t poop in a box doesn’t mean he can’t contribute to the family compost pile. There are compostable doggy bags you can take on your pooch’s walk, or just use around the yard. The bag and its contents can both go in your compost pile to break down.
We recommend using a separate compost pile for the pet feces. Use this compost for your trees, flowers, your soil, but not for anything you will eat. Simply dig a hole, place a garbage can with many holes in it and start filling. You can buy powdered enzymes to speed up the decomposition process, and add water so the waste just soaks into the ground.
We know your pet does more than eat and go to the bathroom. You and your pet love to play! When buying your pet a new toy, look for ones made of recycled materials, or ones that can naturally decompose. Some examples of these would be recycled rubber balls and chew toys, cardboard scratching posts, and eco-friendly clothing. And of course, you can always grow your own catnip!
What ways are you and your pet being greener? Share with us in the comment section below.
