Help your dog go green in 2012!

Dogs can leave a pretty hefty carbon paw print on the environment, unless you help them go green.

To help your dog have a greener life in 2012, we've put together the top 5 things you can do in 2012 to have a healthier, happier pup and help the environment at the same time.

Let's get started!

This past year more and more green products and services for dogs have come to market than any other year in history - thanks to many concerned dog owners and forward thinking companies.

We believe the trend will only grow and continue, more knowledge will be gained by concerned, information seeking dog lovers, and more and more pups will be helped by practicing eco-friendly, organic, and sustainable practices. And the environment will be all the better!

This lens highlights the five most important things you can do for you and your dog to have a healthier, happier pup in 2012. By doing just a few things you can make a big difference in the life of your dog and help the environment at the same time!

Have a safe, happy, healthy and wonderful 2012...Here's to a great green year!

An organic raw food diet is the very best you can feed your dog, for a longer and healthier life. Other great diets include organic dehydrated raw foods, cooking for your dog, and last but not least organic kibble (but be sure and research how your source processes the kibble - the least amount of processing is always best, and no high heat to destroy all the good stuff).

Where to find organic and all natural dog foods and treats.

Raise A Green Dog is featured in the January 2009 issue of Dog World Magazine. Check out the article - It's Easy Going Green - to pick up some great tips to reduce your pups carbon paw print.

And in the August 2008 issue of Dog Fancy Magazines new Natural Dog, is an article by Tom Barthel, a master gardener and freelance writer that specializes in pet and gardening topics. The article is entitled, "10 Steps to a Greener Home."

A portion of the article is on the Dog Fancy website Or you can read the entire article from my blog!

Water, it's the most important nutrient for a dog's healthy life. And dogs need lots of it. Did you know that an animal can loose all of its fat and half of its protein and survive, but only a 10% loss of body water causes serious illness.

Since water is so important to our quality of life, the quality of our water needs to be of great concern. With reports of fluoride and chlorine in tap water, Giardia in standing puddles, salts, and lawn and farming chemicals in rivers and ponds, how do you know if your water is safe?

It's always best to filter your pups drinking water to reduce levels of chlorine and fluoride in your tap water. Use non-leaching plastic bottles to carry water for when you travel, and read more of these tips to keep your pups water safe.

More information and resources.

Be sure and visit my website - RaiseAGreenDog.com - where you can shop for all kinds of eco-friendly, recycled, organic and environmentally friend dog stuff!

We've put together, in one place, all the cool stuff you need for your dog!

Find dog beds, orgnic foods and treats, collars, leashes, charms, training and agility gear, vitamins and supplements, books, clothing, toys and more!

And the best part is we donate 10% of our profits to dog rescues and shelters!

Us dogs, we love our toys. But not all the toys on the market are safe - with reports of lead and other chemicals in toys, be sure you seek out only toys that are safe - like organic toys, toys made in the USA, and toys made from forward thinking and concerned companies.

Or make your dog a toy from some of your old cotton towels or wool socks lying around the house. They'll have fun and you'll save money!

Where to find safe, organic and recycled toys!">Where to find safe, organic and recycled toys!

Us dogs, we love the great outdoors. We love romping around in the yard, digging holes, eating grass, and taking our daily walks. Back in the old days a dog's environment was pretty safe - no chemicals put on the lawns, no dangerout algae deterrents put in ponds and lakes, no salts put on the roads to melt the ice.

But now chemicals are everywhere. Take steps to make your dog's environment the safest it can be. Turn your lawn into an organic chemical free lawn - and spend more time with your pup playing and fetching and running around there. Stay away from salted roads, chemical laden ponds and neighborhood areas that have been treated.

These chemicals can be dangerous and have long term, detrimental affects on your dog and his/her life. Oh, and be sure and use biodegradable poo bags when you're out and about and dispose of the poo the eco-friendly way!

More safe environment resources!

The inside of your house is your dog's haven, home, and where they spend the most time. But many homes have lots of chemicals around the home - from professional carpet cleaning products used to clean carpet, to floor, bathroom and kitchen cleaners, to air sanitizers and more.

Make it a goal for 2012 to rid your home of unnecessary and dangerous chemicals, for you and your dog. How? Utilize all natural and safe cleaners on your floors, kitchen, bathrooms and carpet. And vow to utilize vinegar and water to clean more of your home - it's the safest, easiest, and most economical way to clean! These all natural cleaners work great on tough grease and grime.

More safe environment resources!