Pet Products - Good for Your Pets and Good for the Earth

Natural “pet products”  are becoming more commonplace and easier to buy, with bigger selections, and an expanding product lines. Pets are part of the family, and as the trend for earth friendly products increases for human consumption, the demand increases for pet purchases.  The pet industry has approximately $47 billion dollars in sales on pet products and services in 2010. Pet lovers have spent this money on food and treats, pet supplies, veterinary care, over the counter pet medications, and pet ttoys. The typical dog owner spends about $40 per dog on  toys for their canine friends per year.  Cat owners spend approximately $19 per cat on toys each year. This is according to APPA, The American Pet Products Association.  In the U.S. there are 140 million household cats and dogs. People include their dogs and cats in their holiday celebrations. In addition, 13.5 million felines and 9.8 million canines will celebrate their birthdays with pet gifts from their owners.

Many pet owners are looking for organic and natural toys as an option to purchase. There is a stronger demand for use of pesticide free products that offer non toxic and chemical free alternative materials.  People are becoming more aware and health conscious about their purchasing choices. People are choosing to buy products that have no dyes or toxic materials and are safer for their pets in many ways.  Pets can have allergic and adverse reactions to the products, just as people would. Your loyal pets rely on you to protect them and do what is in their best interest.

A wise choice in pet product purchases will contribute to the health and better well being of your pet. Playing with your pet is also an integral part of their happiness.  When pets engage in play, it appeals to their instinct to hunt and helps them develop better mental and physical skills. Play helps ;you bond with you pet.   The Humane Society of America gives a toy tip for cats.  They suggest you get one toy for them to carry, one toy for them to wrestle with, and one toy they can ”baby” as they roll around with it.   Dog toys help your canines avoid boredom. The Humane Society recommends  4 kinds of toys that are beneficial for your dog. They need “one to carry, one to shake, one to roll and one to baby”.   Play helps a dog relieve stress. When you, for example, play ball with your dog, and they fetch and return it, they release energy they have been storing up.

This is an ever growing selection of natural pet products available. There are eco friendly beds for dogs made from a blend of fiber fill and recycled plastic beverage bottles. Some beds are made with 100% organic cotton. There are self flushing kitty toilets that flush into the sewage system similar to a human toilet. An in ground disposal for dog waste works like a septic tanks.  It goes into the ground, add an enzyme powder on occasion, and the waste breaks down automatically. It works in virtually all soils, including sandy soil, but not hard clay ground.

Cat litters have also become more environmentally friendly.  Many cat litters are made of corn, wheat, newspaper that is recycled, wood chips, and other plant based products. When grooming your pets, you can look for products that are pesticide, detergent, and alcohol free. They are gentle for your pets and considerate for the earth’s environment. Products include hypo-allergenic shampoos, odor removers, stain fighting products, dander remover, chewing products, shampoos for puppies, and bio-degradable training pads.  Some shampoos are made from oatmeal.  You can even find pet products for natural bug, flea, and tick repellent sprays made with green tea, citronella, and lime.

Natural pet products are chemical  pesticide, and dye free. Environmentally friendly pet products or eco friendly pet products consider the environment in the manufacturing of the product. Eco friendly pet products are made from recycled items and these eco friendly products can also be recycled. Usually these products are made with little impact to the environment.  There are no labeling requirements or certifications to mark a pet product as “green”,  Usually these products will be labeled as compostable and biodegradable.  Often you may even see that the bag that is made of cellophane, a recyclable material from wood pulp.  This would be labeled as such if it is manufactured this way.  It is important to protect our landfills, and avoid polluting the earth.   

Where the opportunity exists, it is a great idea to buy green “pet products”.  Educate yourself and try to do what is best for your pets and for our planet earth.