Earthday and Going Green With Your Pet

It’s earth day and going “green” is popular today. Recycling, taking reusable shopping bags to the grocery shop and owning compost bins.

But are you also going green with your dog? Keep reading to find out different ways to become a more environmentally-responsible dog guardian by reducing your K9’s carbon “paw print!”  Plus, check out these handy and informative infograph – The Green Dog Owner, by Michael Shannon.

27 Ways To Go Green With Your Dog on Earthday

1. Walk to the dog park instead of driving.
2. Donate old towels, sheets, bedding, leashes, litter boxes and pet toys to your local shelter.
3. Give your dog filtered tap water instead of bottled water.
4. Pick up and dispose of all dog waste with biodegradable bags instead of plastic grocery bags; they can take hundreds of years to decompose!
5. Use earth-friendly shampoos and grooming items. Using non-toxic dog care products can protect your dog from accidental poisoning. Organic products also do not contain phosphates, sulfates and other harmful chemicals.
6. When cleaning up pet accidents, avoid bleach and use environmentally-friendly vinegar instead (properly diluted with water first). Vinegar is an effective and natural odor-remover and kills mold and bacteria.
7. Wipe your dog’s paws before letting them back into the house to reduce extra pesticides, fungicides and dirt in your home.
8. Make your own healthy dog biscuits. Homemade dog treats will keep pesticides, antibiotics, animal by-products, hormones and artificial preservatives from compromising your dog’s health.
9. Use non-toxic cleaning products that are phosphate-free and void of corrosive chemicals to keep your dog – and your family – safe from negative reactions to harsh chemicals.
10. Hemp toys, toys made with eco-friendly, non-toxic components or even recycled stuff at home, are safer for your dogs to play with. Used socks, old tennis balls or even used water bottles can entertain your dog. Or … go outside and get Fido a stick!
11. Compost canine waste. Burying it underground can convert it into an organic fertilizer for plants. It also keeps it out of landfills!
12. Spay and neuter your dog!
13. Adopt a dog (or two).
14. Feed your dog a natural diet instead of processed dog food. Gently dehydrated pet food with zero preservatives and no added salt/sugar can benefit your dog’s health.
15. Use chemical-free tick and flea control products. Active ingredients like chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos and phosmet are potent toxins. Use products containing only natural ingredients.
16. Support green businesses when you shop for your dog or pets. Patronize businesses that conserve energy, use recycled goods or sell eco-friendly products.
17. Recycle dog food cans.
18. Use recycled hemp collars and leashes. They are hypoallergenic, natural and become softer with use.
19. Buy your next dog bed made with organic cottons and recycled bottles.
20. Purchase a dog bed duvet and fill it with old t-shirts, towels or sheets.
21. Cut down on how often you bathe your dog; Over bathing can irritate the skin so conserve water and bath less.
22. Use natural options to maintain your dog’s heath including massage, acupuncture and chiropractic.
23. Treat your dog’s pain with homeopathic products.
24. Treat your lawn with organic/all-natural products to protect your dog (and family) from dangerous chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.
25. Use stainless steel feeding bowls to avoid bacterial buildup, dangerous chemicals, lead poisoning and BPA exposure.
26. Grow an organic vegetable garden for your dog (and you)!
27. Teach your dog to turn off a light switch. It saves energy; plus it’s a cool trick to show all your friends!

Going green with your dog doesn’t have to be hard or expensive! For more great ideas, check out raiseagreendog.com.

(Sources: Petside.com, Dogingtonpost.com, Unleashmagazine.com, ASPCA.org, Nature.org, unleashedunlimited.com and DogChannel.com.)

Photo: Thinkstock